Dog Behavior 101 - Keys to Success

Dogs are funny. They are a perfect match for people. They are sweet, loving, and want to please. Dogs can also have some not-so-ideal behaviors. Barking, chewing, digging, biting; these are all normal dog behaviors. Unfortunately, they are often not appropriate when living with humans. But it is very important to remember that these are natural dog behaviors that ALL dogs do. This is how they communicate with each other. It is our job to teach them what is acceptable and what is not, when they are interacting with people vs other dogs. It's not always easy, and patience and positive reinforcement really are the keys to success. Check out the 6 things below that you need to utilize and understand to teach + train your dog.

Patience = being sooo very patient with your dog when teaching them new things. It takes time! Dogs learn at different paces just like people. Always use calm voices and positive feedback (i.e. GOOD BOY!! YAY!)

Consistency = following a schedule and being consistent in what, when, and how you train. SO important!

Trust = teaching your dog to trust you, and understanding how to accomplish this. Dogs want to please. Positive training with a reward system builds trust. Punishment or anger teaches them to fear you, therefore teaching them not to trust and not to do what you ask.

Bond = Bonding with your dog is extremely important to gain trust and respect. You bond with your dog by petting them, cuddling with them, taking them places with you, never striking your dog, never yelling at your dog, giving treats or other rewards for good behaviors, etc.

Positive reinforcement = using positive training techniques like praise, treats & toys to get your dog to do what you want. This also builds trust and helps the human-animal bond. It is critically important to never yell at or strike your dog Positive and fear free training is the absolute best method to help you help your dog learn new behaviors.

Rewards = positive reinforcement, yes, but what to use? Treats are good, toys can also work well for some dogs. Praise always no matter what, in conjunction with treats or a toy. My dog is a terrier with a high prey-drive, who LOVES her "ropey" and anything that squeaks. She will do just about anything for it, so we can use less treats, and more toys as her reward. Use caution with treats as they can lead to over-feeding, or tummy upset. Using dry food from a portion of their meal works great, and doesn't add the richness of treats or the extra calories.

Check out the CompanionBLOG post about starting to train your dog for recall HERE.

If you need resources for training and behavior, click HERE for our recommendations.