4 Simple Tips for Training Your Dog To Be Well-Behaved

Does your pooch need a bit of behavioral training? Without enough prep, dogs may misbehave and even display dangerous behavior towards their owner, themselves or others. Thankfully, it is possible to steer a dog onto the right track with enough time dedicated to thorough training. If you’re trying to train your dog to be better behaved and to learn the importance of obedience, you may want to incorporate these tips to help make the process as smooth and simple as possible – for both you and your dog!

1. Stay Patient, Correct Bad Behavior and Show Your Dog What You Want It To Do

One of the most important keys in dog training is to remain patient but firm throughout your training efforts. While it’s essential to correct bad behavior as soon as it happens to help get the message across to your dog, it’s also important to recognize that your dog might not get everything the first time around. Stay consistent and keep showing your dog what it is that you want them to do, and with enough time, they should begin to follow suit. Keep in mind, too, that visual demonstrations tend to be more helpful for dogs, since they’ll be able to see exactly what’s expected of them.

2. Make Sure You Puppy-Proof Your House To Prevent Training Mishaps

No matter what stage you’re at in training, having a puppy-proof home can sometimes be a lifesaver. Even after you’ve been training your dog for a while, it’s still possible they could act out unexpectedly. To avoid damage to your house, make sure you protect expensive or precious objects and try to keep your family and your dog out of harm’s way. For instance, you could safely store any objects that the dog could easily knock over or break, remove rodent traps from vulnerable areas where the dog could step in them, keep your floor clear of random items the dog might try to eat and make sure you close toilet bowls after use to prevent the dog from falling in.

3. Use Special Treats as an Occasional Reward for Good Behavior

While you don’t want to go overboard with dog treats, using them as a reward for good behavior can help with positive reinforcement. When you give your dog a treat, it lets them know that you approve of their behavior, helping them to associate that behavior with positive rewards. If you’re concerned about the health effects of too many treats, you can always opt for tasty yet healthy treat alternatives instead.

4. Provide Healthy Amounts of Stimulation and Exercise

Finally, consider that too little, or too much, exercise or stimulation could be at the root of your dog’s behavioral issues. All dogs need some amount of physical activity to stay healthy, so look up what the requirements are for your dog’s breed and ensure they get the exercise they require.

Good behavior is an essential skill every dog needs to learn. Fortunately, it’s possible to help your dog learn better behavior by dedicating adequate time and effort to training. By implementing these simple tips, you can make the training process as smooth as possible and help your dog learn the importance of being well behaved.