Training Tips for your Canine Companion
Making sure our pups are well-behaved members of society is on us as owners! While you may have heard that you can't teach a dog new tricks, you'd actually be surprised that you can increase the quality of life of your dog with simple training. At Bonne, we want your dog to thrive and live a happy, healthy, and overall comfortable experience. We've compiled a blog to help you learn the benefits of different pieces of training for your pups!
Training With or Without Treats
When it comes to training, we instantly think of breaking out the treats to reinforce positive behaviors. However, we want to establish that there will be other forms to praise positive action. We obviously recommend delicious 100% all-natural treats (specifically dog macarons) to reward with a treat! But we do have a few suggestions for non-food based positive rewards for your dog:
- Verbal Praise
- Physical Praise
- Playing
- Dog Toys
- Going on a walk
- Access to snuggling on the couch
Try out these suggestions on top of your typical treat rewards! You don't want your pup only to be food driven. Do you have any suggestions for non-food based rewards? Let us know in the comments!
Crate Training
Having your dog crate training is essential when you're bringing in a new puppy, but you can also train a dog. Crate training is excellent for house training puppies, a safe space for your dog to feel comfortable, and helps with anxiety when you're not home. All breeds, sizes, and ages of dogs can benefit directly from being crate trained. There is a bad stigma that crate training is locking your dog up and depriving them of freedom, but it actually helps them become calm and combat anxiety. A few tips that can help you crate train your dog are to pick the proper crate, reward them with a treat when they go into their crate, put a dog bed and or blankets, have a schedule for being in the crate, and make sure it's not too long, and be patient.
Leash Training
Many people think that leash training comes naturally; however, leash walking is actually a skill and a time spent with your dog that creates a bond. The American Kennel Club provided a few tips on how to train your dog to walk on a leash:
Introduce them to a harness or collar and leash if they are not familiar. Wearing a harness or collar can take some time to get used to, so keep placing the collar and harness on your dog for a short amount of time.
Teach a cue that will be recognized as a 'look at me' signal.
Practice inside with a leash.
While you are instilling leash training, you will run into pulling, barking, and lunging. These behaviors are only natural, and with dedicated training and some research, your pup will be walking like a pro in no time!
House Training
Having an accident from time to time happens, but if there is a frequent problem with accidents in the home, then you may want to make sure your dog is healthy, or they have been house trained. Top vets suggest that establishing a routine is the best start to house training. The humane society has provided a few suggestions for house training like:
- Take your puppy or dog outside frequently
- Lead them to the same bathroom spot every time
- Praise them when they go to the bathroom outside
- Establish a regular feeding schedule
These tips are a great way to establish a routine and get your pup on track to being house trained!
Behavior Training
Behavior problems include barking, digging, tearing up belongings, and other issues that may intrude on your life or the life of others. If you live in a condo or apartment, it's best for you, your dog, and your neighbors. There are many doggy camps and private trainers to help improve your pup's behavior. Christina Shusterich runs NY Clever K9 Inc. She believes there is hope for your dogs and is recognized as a national and international dog expert and top dog behaviorist. A dog behaviorist can help you with anxiety, aggression, fear, and more.
Aggressive Dog Training
Dealing with aggressive dogs can be both challenging and frightening. As an owner, it is horrifying if your sweet dog lashes out at a person or another dog. If you are on the receiving end, it's equally frightening. Not only is aggressive behavior dangerous, but it can also damage relationships. This applies to both human and canine relationships. Aggressive dog training is challenging, but it can be done. No dog is hopeless or a "lost cause" as long as you are consistent, persistent, and don't make things worse.
No responsible dog owner wants to encourage or train their dog to be aggressive. Sometimes, though, our instinctive reactions to aggression can make things worse. Here are a few things to look out for:
Nervousness:
This may seem counterintuitive, but you must try not to show that you are nervous. You must think with the mind of a dog when dealing with aggressive dog training or any dog training. Your dog should always see you as the pack leader. This means you must remain calm and be assertive. You are not only your dog's companion, you are their food source. This means that if your dog perceives a threat, they are going to act to protect. If you reinforce this perception by acting nervous, you are only amplifying their response. The calmer you are, the calmer your dog will be. You must show them with your behavior and body language, "there's nothing to worry about".
Avoiding Other Dogs:
Another common practice that only makes things worse is isolation. If you struggle with aggressive dog training, it's natural to try and avoid risky situations altogether. Many dog owners keep their animals isolated because "they don't like other dogs". This is very likely not the reality. Dogs are pack animals, and they thrive on socializing. If your dog is anti-social, isolation only makes them more so.
This is not to say to let your aggressive dog roam free and throw caution to the wind. But, if it is possible, try and find a way to let your dog socialize more, not less. If you don’t walk your dog in public often, this is a great place to start. Just make sure that you keep your tension and the leash tension low. This will help your dog feel calm and comfortable as they take in their surroundings. If you approach another dog, just keep walking like there’s nothing to worry about. Take the lead and your dog will follow.
Coddling:
This has the same effect as acting nervous. Coddling your dog at the wrong time can also reinforce the behaviors you are trying to avoid. Again, you must think with the mind of the dog. Petting and attention are rewards in the mind of a dog. Dogs understand action and reaction, they aren't able to process complex ideas like humans. It may seem like a nice idea to pick up your pooch and tell them "it's okay", but think about what you're communicating. You're telling them what they are doing is okay and rewarding them with attention. You may think this will calm them down. But it's more likely training them to think you approve of their behavior.
International Dog Trainer Hall of Fame Tips
Training our dogs is no easy venture. It takes research, practice, commitment, and sometimes tough love. Did you know that there is an International Dog Trainer Hall of Fame? Well now you do! We’ve compiled some expert dog training tips from a few of the world’s best dog trainers.
Ian Dunar recommends phasing out of training tools as quickly as possible. He suggests that if you don’t wean them off of the training tools you have used they may become dependent on treats, a leash, or any other aid. Ian recommends teaching ‘off-leash’ reliability.
Wendy & Jack Volhard have written 13 books on their ‘Volhard Method’ that insists on training people that body, posture, leash handling, tone of voice and understanding dog behavior sets your dog up for successful training. You are the ultimate holder of your dog’s success.
Sylvia Bishop published the first fully illustrated, practical, and easy to follow training book for dogs titled It’s Magic. Sylvia believes that you and your dog should always have fun when training and keep your dog happy.
Reward Your Pup With A 100% All-Natural Dog Macaron
Treat your dog with love and a 100% all-natural dog treat! Our dog macarons at Bonne et Filou are made of four simple ingredients: honey, oat flour, coconut oil, and all-natural yogurt. We only make our dog macarons from human-grade ingredients that are free of artificial coloring or preservatives. Choose from three tasty flavors: strawberry, mint, or lavender! Order yours today. and subscribe and save for 10% off your order.