Congratulations on your adorable new puppy! With your furry friend by your side, you’re in for many years of fun, among other benefits. A necessary part of dog ownership is knowing how to train dogs. And, it helps to know of some dog training mistakes to avoid. Do you know of any?
In this article, you’ll learn about the most common dog training mistakes and how to prevent them. Keep reading on to make sure you give your pup the best training possible!
1. Trying to Train the Wrong Breed
Every dog has its own unique personality, but its breed still influences some traits. If you try to train your dog at something and they keep failing, consider their breed.
Different dog breeds were bred for various tasks, so it’s literally in their blood. For example, a border collie might be great at herding because it was bred for that purpose. But on the other hand, it might struggle to hunt because it was never meant for that.
So, before trying to train your pup as an ESA, you should first look at the best dog breeds for emotional support. Or, if you want to train your dog to protect your home, check if it’s considered a working breed for best results.
2. Not Being Patient Enough
Whether you’re training at home or through a dog training school, the process is a long one. That’s because it takes time for your dog to learn new skills and commands. Each dog learns at a different pace, too.
If you’re not patient with your pup, you’re going to make it take even longer. Like us, dogs get stressed and frustrated, so overdoing it will hinder their progress.
When you start to feel impatient, it’s a good time to end your training session. Make sure to end on a positive note, as rewards for dogs are always helpful in the learning process.
3. Using Harsh or Hurtful Discipline
As you train your puppy, you might run into incidents that require discipline. One of the biggest dog training mistakes is being too harsh while punishing.
If you yell at, hit, or jerk your dog around, a dangerous situation is created for you and any bystanders. Those actions could provoke aggression from your dog, resulting in an attack. Plus, your dog might start to fear you, which is a bad thing.
Instead, try using positive reinforcements. Praise your dog for good behaviors and encourage them to keep at it.
If you start to get angry, take a step back or end the training session. You should be bonding with your dog rather than getting mad.
Stop Making These Dog Training Mistakes
Knowing how to train dogs takes a lot of work! Different dog breeds learn in different ways, and you have to understand appropriate rewards for dogs. But as long as you follow this guide and avoid these common dog training mistakes, you’re in for a smooth ride.
Do you need more help with training your furry friend? Check out other articles on our website for all the resources you could need!