Separation anxiety among dogs is a common problem which most dog owners confuse with destructive behavior. If you know the right way to educate your dog, so that he realizes that sometimes, he will be left alone. Only then, will the dog understand how to cope when you are not around. This article contains a number of helpful tips to help you in your dog training efforts.
If your dog is misbehaving, try to determine why. It is important to work out why your dog is doing what it does. Knowing the reason for poor behavior can make training significantly easier. It is far more difficult to correct an action that you do not fully understand the reasoning behind.
Just as reinforcement of good behavior when training a dog should be immediate, so too should punishment for bad behavior be immediate. Saying “no” in a harsh voice tells the dog he has acted inappropriately but he only connects the message with the targeted behavior if that message is delivered immediately after that act.
Dogs sometimes make mistakes because they can’t do otherwise. It’s your job to figure out why they can’t. Consider an older dog, for example, that has been completely housebroken for years. If all of a sudden it starts relieving itself in the house something is wrong. The dog is likely sick and should be seen by a veterinarian.
It is important to take a leadership role while training your dog. This does not mean that you need to try and force your animal to bend to your will. Acting as a teacher and showing him what you want him to do by rewarding his actions will help your dog succeed.
Focus on your body language when training. Dogs respond much easier to non-verbal cues. Pay attention to how they respond to different actions and facial expressions that you make to learn what affect they have on them. Keep your words short and too the point and reinforce it with bodily actions.
House training your puppy can be a lot faster and more effective using a crate. The crate should never be used for punishment. The puppy should be put in it at night and in between times of interaction with his owner. His natural instinct is to not relieve himself in his sleeping area.
Training sessions for your dog should be fun and stress-free. Your dog will learn better, and you will be able to teach better in a positive environment. Use your training session as a bonding time with your dog and have fun. This will help you and your dog have a life-long relationship. By the way, you can create memories through videos and keep them for a lifetime. You can take various images and add those images to video.
Make sure your dog is used to being handled, including its mouth and feet. Dogs need their teeth brushed regularly, and once they are used to the routine it is much less of a struggle. It is also easier for the vet to examine them when needed. Toenails should be trimmed every month or so, and the process is less traumatic for dogs accustomed to having their feet handled.
Check with the community management’s pet policy. Pet lover families can be in trouble when moving from a home with a generous pet policy to a place where no pets are allowed. Move to a place where the pet policy allows you to keep your family friends. Don’t give them up just because the first place you find has a no pet policy.
If your dog is big on chewing, make sure he has plenty of appropriate items to take his energy out on. The number one reason for destructive chewing is inadequate or inappropriate toys. Seek out rubber toys meant for busy mouths, particularly those you can stick sumptuous treats inside of. Your dog will spend more time chewing these, and less time on your table legs.
Make sure you listen to your dog. What is he telling you? Your dog’s behavior will often give you a window into his mind. Destructive dogs are often bored or anxious. Anxious dogs may act inconsistently with strangers. No matter the trouble, your dog is telling you how he feels when he behaves in situations.
Do not punish your dog for chewing unless you catch him in the act. For example, if you discover your shoes have been gnawed on, your dog likely does not remember. Punishing him for chewing hours later has no impact and will not help the behavior. Instead, remember to reinforce positive behavior and look for opportunities to correct inappropriate behavior when it occurs.
As was discussed in this beginning of this article, separation anxiety is a common problem with dogs that is often, misrepresented as destructive behavior. If you understand the proper way to lessen your dogs anxiety, then you will start to see positive changes in behavior. Apply the advice from this article and you’ll soon see your dog showing less and less destructive behavior when you aren’t around.
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