What is the Best Way to Discipline a Dog?
No matter if you just brought home a new puppy, or have a dog that is considered to be a part of your family, choosing the right way to train and discipline your dog is going to help you build a relationship with your pet that will never be broken. However, trying to figure out exactly how to discipline your dog can become a very tricky situation. With all of the different methods available to you, it can easily become very hard to figure out which one is the best when it comes to your dog.
Here are some of the best ways that you can discipline your dog and still be their best friend. While there are many different steps involved, they are going to involve a certain amount of research and effort on your part. But rest assured that these methods will help to create a strong bond between you and your dog, as they will help you teach your dog discipline, which is definitely worth the effort.
Here are the steps to disciplining your dog.
When You Discipline, It Does Not Mean Dominance
Throughout history, the dominance of dogs has been the most popular way of dog training. This brutal method, however, has evolved to much more modern, dog-friendly methods. You do have to keep in mind that there is a ton of information that recommends you use a dominance style of training to get your dog to do what it is that you want them to. While these techniques unfortunately happen, the science behind dog training says the complete opposite, meaning that any type of ‘dominance training’ is not really a very good dog training method.
When you do us force and dominance to discipline your dog, even if it means pinning them down, shaking them by their collar, shouting, or even using a shock collar, it is simply unnecessary. In fact, studies have shown that using these types of discipline techniques have actually caused certain behavioral issues, some of which include an increased amount of aggression, as well as anxiety. So instead of using dominance as a way of disciplining your dog, you may want to start using more of a positive reinforcement approach, which will also help them have a better mood as well.
Start Using Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is something that has been used throughout the ages. Essentially, you are going to use a reward, such as a treat, to help encourage the behavior that you want your dog to continuously do. This reward can vary from a simple treat, to a toy, play, or even praise. But when you are rewarding your dog’s positive behavior, you will need to use different vocal cues that are going to interrupt any kind of negative actions. Ideally, you are able to simply ask your dog to perform a ‘positive behavior’ instead. Some of the other options for disciplining your dog can potentially include not giving them treats, putting them on timeout, or even moving them to a different part of your house that they normally are not allowed to venture into.
If you weren’t a believer in the positive reinforcement technique, there have actually been several organizations to verify that using positive reinforcement to train your dog is extremely effective. In fact, this includes the training of sniffer dogs, police dogs, guide dogs, and many other dogs as well. This just goes to show that positive reinforcement simply means that you are going to end up with a dog that is well-behaved and disciplined. Just keep in mind that no matter what the method is that you decide to discipline your dog, that you stay consistent, meaning that it will take some time for them to adapt to whatever it is you are trying to teach them.
Concentrate on Your Timing
When you decide to discipline your dog using positive reinforcement techniques, it is going to take practice and time. However, the good thing about it is that using positive reinforcement is a skill that just about anybody is able to learn. When you are able to correctly reward your dog for behaving correctly, it is going to be crucial for this particular method of dog training to work.
There are many people that use positive reinforcement who use what is known as a ‘event market’, which is going to make a particular sound that the dogs will recognize and think that they have just performed some type of positive behavior. If you are going to use this method, you can either use a ‘clicker’ or a specific word.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Treats, Toys, and Praise
Once you have decided that you are going to use positive reinforcement as your main source of dog training, you are able o start rewarding your dog for executing good behavior. This means that if you have a dog that is motivated by food, such as a Labrador, you will be able to use treats to help train them. Other breeds, however, may prefer a different type of reward, such as a lot of praise or even their favorite toy.
When you are able to take some time and figure out what the perfect reward for your dog is, it will make training the much easier. Just remember, you are able to mix it up without getting in trouble. While your dog may respond to getting praise at home, they may be more distracted when they are at the park. This means that a yummy treat may be much more rewarding.
Just be sure that no matter which approach you decide to take when it comes to disciplining your dog, that you pay attention to how they react and move forward accordingly. And remember that if you ever have any questions that need to be answered, contact your local veterinarian as soon as you can. They will be able o answer all of your questions and make sure that your dog is well maintained.
