Training your dog to behave can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. Whether your canine is only a puppy or has been your friend for years, it is important to control your dog’s bad habits. Controlling your canine’s barking, biting, and chewing habits can make your life a lot easier. It is important to be effective and positive in a non-violent manner when you are teaching your canine. The following tips are provided by on behalf of K9 Kingdom, Pittsburgh’s premier dog training, boarding, and grooming facility, which also acts as a valuable resource for all things dog-related.
Stop Your Dog’s Barking
People love to talk. Everyone has that chatty aunt or rambling cousin who controls family dinners and get-togethers. Like people, dogs love to provide their input, and they naturally love to bark. When a dog barks excessively, however, it can quickly become a problem. It is important to find the reason why your dog is barking excessively. Possible reasons could include staking their territory, excitement, boredom, stress, or being uncomfortable.
Luckily for you, it is possible to stop this annoying habit. Communication is key to tell your dog when their behavior is unacceptable, so it is okay to yell at your canine, as this gives them the attention they are crying out for. Never give your dog attention when it is barking, as this is interpreted as a reward, something which will just encourage them to continue barking. Controlling your dog’s excessive barking will make both your life and their life much less stressful.
Stop Your Dog’s Biting
Every puppy loves to bite, and biting is a natural and essential phase that every dog goes through. While the habit can be fun and cute, the nipping has to be reduced before someone is hurt. There are many tips and steps to take to control the biting and avoid ongoing problems. It is vital to encourage acceptable behavior and then discourage unacceptable behavior. This teaches the dog obedience and how to know right from wrong. If your puppy is still in the midst of a biting problem, avoid playing tug of war or wrestling games with them, as this can encourage and increase biting or nipping. If a problem occurs, redirect the biting from your flesh to a chew bone or toy, and be sure to firmly reprimand your canine for his poor behavior.
Another method is to let your dog know he is hurting you. Like people, dogs can sense emotion and pain, so when your dog bites you, make a high pitched sound of pain and then back away from him, avoiding giving any affection or attention. Once your puppy realizes he is causing you pain and you are backing away, he will eventually learn to stop. It is vital to control your dog’s biting and nipping before someone gets hurt.
Stop Your Dog’s Chewing
Chewing is a natural habit for every dog. However, from chewing a brand new sneaker to destroying your antique couch, the power of your dog’s teeth can be very destructive. Dogs chew for multiple reasons, including loneliness, separation anxiety, teething, fear, attention-seeking, lack of exercise, or boredom. Be sure to puppy-proof your home before bringing the new dog home. Provide an assortment of toys and bones for your dog, and to prevent your dog from chewing certain furniture, coat the object with a non-toxic, foul tasting substance like tabasco sauce or vinegar, at least for your dog’s first few weeks. For fabric furniture like couches or chairs (or any other type of furniture), try a specially designed, inexpensive chewing deterrent spray like this one or this one. Reprimand your dog when you catch him, and show him how disappointed you are in his behavior by ignoring him and refusing to show him affection for 10-15 minutes. With proper preparation obedience training, chewing can be prevented.
Pittsburg’s K9 Kingdom
K9 Kingdom is a valuable resource to help prevent and control your dog’s bad habits. From obedience training to prevention tips, K9 Kingdom is ready to assist you with all your dog-related needs.
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