When attempting to raise and train a dog on their own, people can make mistakes.
Listed below are the most common mistakes that are made when acquiring a new dog or
training a dog without proper instruction.
Listed below are the most common mistakes that are made when acquiring a new dog or
training a dog without proper instruction.
Common Dog Training Mistakes
If you don't have time for a dog, don't get a dog.
We run into people all the time who have gotten a dog, or even worse, two dogs and they don't have the ability
to make time for them. There are many problems that can happen with a dog if you are not giving them the
proper attention. People tend to underestimate how much time and attention a dog really needs. Then they
initiate bad habits like allowing the dog to free-graze
on food, locking the dog in a room where it
becomes destructive or installing a doggy
door to try and make up for their lack
of time spent with the dog. If a dog's
social and developmental needs
aren't met, behavioral problems
such as housebreaking, excessive
barking, digging, fence jumping,
destructiveness or anti-social
behavior can develop. You can
also find yourself raising a dog
that is under-exercised, shy, fearful
or even aggressive. Make sure you
have the time for a dog before you
take the dog on.
to make time for them. There are many problems that can happen with a dog if you are not giving them the
proper attention. People tend to underestimate how much time and attention a dog really needs. Then they
initiate bad habits like allowing the dog to free-graze
on food, locking the dog in a room where it
becomes destructive or installing a doggy
door to try and make up for their lack
of time spent with the dog. If a dog's
social and developmental needs
aren't met, behavioral problems
such as housebreaking, excessive
barking, digging, fence jumping,
destructiveness or anti-social
behavior can develop. You can
also find yourself raising a dog
that is under-exercised, shy, fearful
or even aggressive. Make sure you
have the time for a dog before you
take the dog on.
Don't get a
second dog
just to keep
the first dog
company.
second dog
just to keep
the first dog
company.
Dogs don't need a friend to play with, they need
companionship and leadership from you. A dog will grow up
healthier bonding with a human leader rather than a companion dog.
companionship and leadership from you. A dog will grow up
healthier bonding with a human leader rather than a companion dog.
You shouldn't take two dogs from the same litter.
It's possible that this won't cause any problems, but we've seen many instances of littermates paying more
attention to each other than their new owners. You want your new dog to bond with you. This will happen easier and faster with one puppy rather than two puppies from the same litter. Also, if the dog is focusing on you rather than it's littermate it will learn and socialize quicker.
attention to each other than their new owners. You want your new dog to bond with you. This will happen easier and faster with one puppy rather than two puppies from the same litter. Also, if the dog is focusing on you rather than it's littermate it will learn and socialize quicker.
Make sure that you are selecting the correct breed for the type of life you lead.
Are you a jogger? Do you live in an apartment? Do you have a large yard? Do you work full-time? These
are all questions that need to be considered when you are choosing the breed of dog that want. If you look
online, you'll find that there are many sites that have breed selector quizzes that you can use to help you
choose the proper breed for your lifestyle. The Animal Planet site has a good one. Click here to take their quiz.
are all questions that need to be considered when you are choosing the breed of dog that want. If you look
online, you'll find that there are many sites that have breed selector quizzes that you can use to help you
choose the proper breed for your lifestyle. The Animal Planet site has a good one. Click here to take their quiz.
Don't ever try to establish dominance over your dog with the Alpha Rollover technique.
This move can break down the bond between you and your dog and lead to aggression. It can also cause a
trickle-down affect where your dog learns that it is o.k. to use physical violence on lesser pack members and
outsiders.
trickle-down affect where your dog learns that it is o.k. to use physical violence on lesser pack members and
outsiders.
When housebreaking, don't ever put your dog's nose in the accident.
If you don't catch them in the act during a housebreaking accident, you've missed your opportunity to correct
them. Don't ever take your dog back to an accident and stick his nose in it.
them. Don't ever take your dog back to an accident and stick his nose in it.
Don't use puppy pads or newspapers for housebreaking.
This will actually slow down the housebreaking process. You want your dog to learn that it is never
acceptable to eliminate in the house. Teach them where the door is early and often.
acceptable to eliminate in the house. Teach them where the door is early and often.
There is never a reason to hit your dog.
This creates many more problems than it resolves. An effective pack leader never needs to
resort to violence.
resort to violence.
Don't use a laser pointer or a flashlight to play with your dog.
Yes, it's funny and yes, it's very entertaining for you and your dog, but the long-term effects of having your
dog chase a light can be very serious. Many dogs can develop obsessive-compulsive behaviors such as tail
chasing, severe reactions to reflected light and excessive searching because of this game. There are many
better ways to keep your dog amused.
dog chase a light can be very serious. Many dogs can develop obsessive-compulsive behaviors such as tail
chasing, severe reactions to reflected light and excessive searching because of this game. There are many
better ways to keep your dog amused.
You never need to shout at your dog.
We have all had times when we wanted to yell at our dog. But it works against you in the long run. A dog
should be trained to respond to commands given in a normal tone of voice. Shouting to startle or scare
your dog might get their attention but it is not affecting their long term behavior unless you are training
your dog to be afraid of you.
should be trained to respond to commands given in a normal tone of voice. Shouting to startle or scare
your dog might get their attention but it is not affecting their long term behavior unless you are training
your dog to be afraid of you.
Don't take a puppy from it's litter at too young an age.
Some of the most difficult cases we face are with
puppies that were removed from their litter too
young. There are many things that puppies learn
in the litter including den cleanliness, bite
inhibition and how to look to the leader
for behavioral cues.
Most puppies should stay
in their litter until they
are at least 7 weeks old.
Even longer for the
smaller, or toy, breeds.
If a breeder tells you
that he is breaking up
the litter at five
or six weeks
because
it is easier on
the mother, it
could be a sign
of a problem.
puppies that were removed from their litter too
young. There are many things that puppies learn
in the litter including den cleanliness, bite
inhibition and how to look to the leader
for behavioral cues.
Most puppies should stay
in their litter until they
are at least 7 weeks old.
Even longer for the
smaller, or toy, breeds.
If a breeder tells you
that he is breaking up
the litter at five
or six weeks
because
it is easier on
the mother, it
could be a sign
of a problem.
"Hey Steve! I just wanted to
send you an update on how
Audi is doing. She's fabulous
and we're on our second foster
dog. I think it's really helping
her deal with distraction and
still listen to us at the same
time because I've noticed a
HUGE improvement! We've been
working with long distance
recall and she's getting much
better at coming to us when
called but there is still more
work to be had. Everyone
comments on how she looks to
us for 'permission' before she
does something and they all
think it's really cool. I'm like
'yeah, I know, she's my girl!'
Talk to you soon."
send you an update on how
Audi is doing. She's fabulous
and we're on our second foster
dog. I think it's really helping
her deal with distraction and
still listen to us at the same
time because I've noticed a
HUGE improvement! We've been
working with long distance
recall and she's getting much
better at coming to us when
called but there is still more
work to be had. Everyone
comments on how she looks to
us for 'permission' before she
does something and they all
think it's really cool. I'm like
'yeah, I know, she's my girl!'
Talk to you soon."
Katie & Audi
Ahwatukee .. Arizona
Ahwatukee .. Arizona
"Since we last spoke, Basil has
progressed even further. She is
just becoming the sweetest,
most social little thing. Far
more than I certainly could have
imagined. I am looking into
agility training along with a
friend of mine from school who
has a pup of her own (wow Basil
is making friends! :) Anyway a
few words for your website if
would like to put them up, I will
definitely refer your services to
anyone who is having any dog
troubles."
progressed even further. She is
just becoming the sweetest,
most social little thing. Far
more than I certainly could have
imagined. I am looking into
agility training along with a
friend of mine from school who
has a pup of her own (wow Basil
is making friends! :) Anyway a
few words for your website if
would like to put them up, I will
definitely refer your services to
anyone who is having any dog
troubles."
Christina & Basil
Phoenix .. Arizona
Phoenix .. Arizona
"Steve, thank you so much for
all of your help with Basil.
She is much less nervous
now, and her submissive /
aggressiveness is now under
control. Before I couldn't even
have people over to the house
because she had become so
unfriendly, however now I can
have groups of people over and
Basil is not an issue. Your
techniques put me in control
of my dog, and now not only am
I much happier, but Basil is too!
Thanks again Steve for going
above and beyond for us, we
appreciate everything!!"
all of your help with Basil.
She is much less nervous
now, and her submissive /
aggressiveness is now under
control. Before I couldn't even
have people over to the house
because she had become so
unfriendly, however now I can
have groups of people over and
Basil is not an issue. Your
techniques put me in control
of my dog, and now not only am
I much happier, but Basil is too!
Thanks again Steve for going
above and beyond for us, we
appreciate everything!!"
