Bringing home a new dog is an exciting journey filled with cuddles, playtimes, and the joys of companionship. But it's also a crucial period of setting the foundation for a long, happy, and well-behaved life together. Unfortunately, even with the best intentions, new dog owners often make mistakes during the first few weeks and months that they bring their new family member home. Let's delve into some of these common errors and learn how to avoid them.
Common Dog Training Mistakes
1. Lacking Consistency
One of the most common dog training mistakes new owners make is being inconsistent. Dogs thrive on routine and consistent command cues. If you allow your dog to jump on the couch one day but reprimand them the next, it creates confusion. If you pet them when they jump up one day, but then correct them the next day, your training is likely to fail and youll end up frustrated, with a very confused dog. Establish rules early on and make sure that you and everybody else in your family sticks to them.
2. Delaying Training
Many believe that training should start once the puppy grows a bit. However, training should begin the moment your dog steps into their new home. This doesn't mean intense sessions; instead, start with basic commands like sit, down, stand, luring techniques and even basic loose lead walking in the garden, as well as adhering to household rules.
3. Using Punishment
Using punishment techniques, such as yelling or using physical punishment can foster fear, aggression, and mistrust. Positive reinforcement, using treats, praise, and toys, has proven to be far more effective, builds more reliable results and develops a bond based on trust and respect.
4. Skipping Socialisation
Failing to expose your dog to different people, animals, and environments can result in a pet that is fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations. Particularly important with puppies, early socialisation is essential for a well-adjusted dog. You can, however also expose your older dog to new things and experiences, but this may need to be done more slowly and at a greater distance initially than it would with puppies. Like human children, pups tend to be less fearful and more resilient to new experiences than our older pooches.
5. Expecting Immediate Results
Expecting immediate results can lead to frustration. Remember, just like humans, dogs have individual personalities and learning curves. Your dog's whole world changed when they moved in with you. All the smells, sights and social interactions that they are having are totally new to them. So be kind to them and yourselves and be patient with the progress that you are making. It can take your dog up to 3 months to settle into their new space so take one day at a time and celebrate each victory, even if they may seem small at the time.
6. Not Enough Exercise
Many behavioural issues arise from pent-up energy and boredom. Dogs, especially young ones and some specific breeds, require adequate physical and mental stimulation. A tired dog is generally a well-behaved dog. Make sure that you are mixing enrichment like training and scent work into physical exercise sessions like walks, fetch and playing tug.
7. Not Addressing Unwanted Behaviours
Ignoring or not addressing unwanted behaviours immediately can make them harder to rectify later on. Preventing bad habits is easier than fixing them. If your dog exhibits unwanted behaviour, address it right away, redirecting them towards a positive action instead.
8. Neglecting "Real-world" Training
Training shouldn't be limited to your living room. Once your dog has mastered a command indoors, practice it outside with real-world distractions to ensure they can obey you in various settings. Make sure to increase distractions gradually. If your dog cant focus on you, chances are that the environment is too distracting.
9. Not teaching your dog that you hold value
One thing that every owner should do is teach their dog that they hold value. Try feeding your dog their food during training sessions for the first few weeks. You can throw their kibble back and forth on the ground to play a great game of fetch, connecting you and fun and food all into one happy interaction. Take food or treats out when you go walking with them and reward them when they look at you and check in. Simple tricks like this can play a huge part in how quickly and strongly your bond builds with your new dog.
10. Assuming One Size Fits All
Every dog is unique. What works for one may not necessarily work for another. Be ready to adapt your training techniques to best suit your dog's personality, breed, and age.
Conclusion
Training a new dog requires a blend of patience, consistency, love, and understanding. By being aware of common training mistakes and proactively addressing them, you're setting the stage for a harmonious and fulfilling relationship with your furry friend. Remember, it's never too late to correct course, and seeking the help of professional dog trainers or behaviorists is always an option if you're facing challenges. Happy training!
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