A dog is truly a man’s best friend, but other than loving you unconditionally with their gentle nature and irresistible cuteness, they’re also intelligent beings that can learn plenty of tricks. But you can’t expect them to know everything from the get-go—just like a child; it’s important to give them proper training to teach your canine buddies and fix bad habits, so your fur babies can grow up to be obedient.
Not all furry friends can beat their learning curve the same way as other dogs, so when you start training, don’t forget to consider some common mistakes that serve as roadblocks to your pooch’s progress. If you want to avoid any mishaps along the way, here are the training mistakes to avoid!
Mistake #1: Inappropriate Reward
The promise of a treat or toy is a big challenge for most pet owners. Luring your pooch with rewards is a common method of training, and while it works fine with some dogs, it can backfire with others. Some dogs can be easily distracted by toys, so you need to choose the appropriate reward. For example, those working with sporting dogs, like retrievers and pointers, should use a favorite ball as a reward. If you have a smaller breed, a tiny all-natural treat will be enough to get the job done.
Mistake #2: Training Too Late
If you want to teach your pup new tricks, you must start as early as possible. Don’t wait until he hit adolescence to start training—there are some critical moments when a dog undergoes a change in personality, and this is when you should really begin training.
Starting at six months is the best, but you can start training at four months for pet owners with small breeds. The only time it’s not appropriate to start training your puppy is when they are still teething, so if you can start at four months, your pup will be able to pick up the training a lot easier.
Mistake #3: Not Letting Your Dog Rest
You might be eager to have your best friend learn, but it’s important to remember that they also need rest. Make sure they get enough sleep and don’t try to train them when they’re tired. Excessive training can be harmful, and it’s not worth it, as forcing your furry friends to train will only create more bad habits that are sure to backfire down the line.
Mistake #4: Asking Too Much Too Soon
If you want your pup to be a genius, you can’t expect much, especially when they start to learn tricks. Some owners get frustrated when they cannot learn new tricks fast, so they demand more out of their pup. It is important to know that your dog needs time to process what you’re asking from them, so avoid pushing too hard.
Mistake #5: Not Having A Schedule
If you’re training your furry buddy, you need to make sure you have a schedule for them. It’s important to be organized, especially if you have multiple dogs that you need to train to work around their shared schedules, and training will be smoother and more consistent.
The Bottom Line: Training Your Pooch with Patience and Love
One of the best ways to train your puppy is to train yourself first. If you’re patient and give them the love they deserve, they’ll learn fast, and if you’re not patient, they’ll pick up on your negative energy. Keep in mind that training your puppy isn’t an overnight fix, and you’re bound to make mistakes along the way. But with the right amount of patience and hard work, you can get through it, and your furry friend will thank you for it.
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