Hello, I am new here, seeking help!
My dog’s behavior is terrible! He steals food from the counter, nips, barks at everything, and jumps on people when they enter the house.
What’s your best advice for training a dog?
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Encourage positive behaviors. When your dog engages in behaviors you appreciate; such as sitting calmly, lying down quietly with their bone, entering their crate willingly, and so on; be sure to praise and reward them. Many times, people focus on correcting bad behaviors without acknowledging and reinforcing the good ones. If punishment is the only response, dogs may not understand what is expected of them and can feel discouraged. By highlighting behaviors we approve of, we encourage them to occur more frequently.
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Setting aside dedicated time for dog training is essential. Consider consulting a professional for a few lessons to learn effective techniques. Using a treat pouch to reward desired behaviors can also be very effective.
My daily dog training routine typically involves about 15 minutes of training or practicing new commands, followed by 30 minutes of working on basics like recall and loose leash walking. During our hour-long walk to the park and back, we also manage to include 15 minutes of playtime.
I highly recommend the SMART x 50 training method, which allows you to achieve daily training goals efficiently without needing to commit a lot of time.
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If you can, use positive reinforcement to stop undesirable behavior before it starts.
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My best advice is that effectively managing the environment is often the most successful approach to addressing problematic behaviors. Counter surfing is naturally rewarding for scavenger animals, but maintaining clear counters or preventing access to the kitchen are completely reliable strategies to prevent the urge to steal food from counters.
Well stated, DogLoverDave! When training dogs, positive reinforcement is essential. Rewarding positive conduct teaches children what is expected of them and motivates them to repeat those behaviors. Training can be more successful and maintain your dog’s happiness and motivation by emphasizing praise and rewards instead of only correcting negative behavior.