ry January, many people create New Year’s 'ruff’-olutions, firm decisions to do or not do something in the coming year. One of those resolutions we should take time to do is to train our pets (yes, cats too!).
Whether it is to create a wanted behavior or correct an unwanted one, the benefits to proper training of your pet are endless. Training sets your new puppy, or established furry family member, up for a life of continued success and happiness. If you have a new puppy, see our blog on what to expect when expecting a new puppy.
Remember, by giving clear, consistent directions and cues, and positive reinforcement you can go a long way in changing your pet’s behavior. We suggest you work with a qualified trainer, however, here are some simple tips to follow:
Pro tip: AVOID any trainer that uses punitive training (e.g. - choke, pinch or shock collars, advising you to inflict fear or harm) as part as their training plan!
Whether it is to create a wanted behavior or correct an unwanted one, the benefits to proper training of your pet are endless. Training sets your new puppy, or established furry family member, up for a life of continued success and happiness. If you have a new puppy, see our blog on what to expect when expecting a new puppy.
Remember, by giving clear, consistent directions and cues, and positive reinforcement you can go a long way in changing your pet’s behavior. We suggest you work with a qualified trainer, however, here are some simple tips to follow:
- Know your dog: What is truly a reward for him- treats, praise, a high value toy?
- Be clear: State the command in the same way every time.
- Be consistent: For example, if your dog is not allowed to jump on people then don’t allow your dog to do it with anyone.
- Use positive commands: Instead of saying “no” for an undesirable behavior, tell the dog what to do. So when he jumps on someone, tell him “sit” instead of “no”.
- Reward good behavior every time.
- Schedules: Dogs love consistency. Keep to their schedule as much as possible to lessen anxiety, which is an underlying cause of many behavior problems.
- Simple things everyday: Train your dog to look to you for cues. Teach your dog a sit command before every interaction. This simple technique helps tremendously for those unexpected situations like jumping or running away.
- Seek veterinary guidance when needed: Some behavior problems such as severe anxiety or aggression need the expertise of a board certified veterinary behaviorist. Speak with one of our veterinarian to help advise you in these situations.
Pro tip: AVOID any trainer that uses punitive training (e.g. - choke, pinch or shock collars, advising you to inflict fear or harm) as part as their training plan!
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