Dog Training Guide!

You go to your friend’s house, see an obedient and smart dog and thought of getting one for your home as well. You bring him but notice that he’s neither smart nor obedient. He barks at unusual times, chews your shoes, sometimes digs in the soil, jump on people and even bite. So, why your friend’s dog is calm and well-behaved whereas your dog is just so mad at different things? Why you are suffering these common dog training problems?

Well, dogs aren’t naturally well-behaved. The way their owners treat them, the things they learn in their puppyhood and the circumstances in which they grow up determines the kind of dog it will become in the future. Perhaps, your friend’s dog was treated well, trained well and kept in friendly environment, which turn him into a good dog with better temperament. With your dog, you might not be taking good care of him, not giving him proper training or ignoring his presence.

There are several problems related to dog. However, I have listed the most common dog training problems only along with their cause and solution as well.

1.    Barking
Barking is not the problem. Excessive barking is the real problem. Every dogs bark, whine and howl to some extent. But if they are barking at unusual times, you should try to find out the cause and do the possible things to solve it.

Causes
•    Seeking  attention
•    Excitement/Playfulness
•    Boredom
•    Seeing other dogs
•    Alerting or warning

Be consistent while solving out this most common dog training problem. Teach him “Quiet” command and be dedicated with it.

2.    Chewing
It’s a part of their puppyhood. At certain stage, they got the problem of teething due to which they just chew whatever they find-be it your shoes, socks, clothes etc.

Causes
•    Teething
•    Anxiety
•    Curiosity
•    Excess energy

Give your puppy something useless, old stuff or chewing toy for chewing. Keep your valuable items out of reach from your puppy. Also, give your dog plentiful of exercise so that he doesn’t get destructive with excess energy.

3.    Biting
Biting is also one of the means of communication for dogs. They don’t bite without reason. They bite other dogs and people to learn about their environment and their place in the pack.

Causes
•    In defense
•    Sickness/Pain
•    Property protection
•    Showing dominance
•    Predatory Instinct

Dog owners must teach their dog that biting or mouthing are not acceptable. Though some dogs are naturally aggressive and dangerous, training and behaving in a positive way can reduce such tendency of barking and biting habit in them. Socialize your dog and make him feel better, secure and friendly.

Originally posted 2011-04-06 10:15:24.