Puppies most certainly do not come into the world knowing how to navigate boundaries because they do not come into the world knowing how to live in a human world. If you are a puppy owner, you might be wondering when and how to correct your pet.
A puppy may be subjected to a variety of forms of discipline from various trainers. But some of these correctional techniques can seriously harm your puppy, both physically and mentally.
This article will examine corrective measures and training methods that are efficient without endangering your young puppy.
Don’t stare down, drag, or hold down your puppy
Your dog will learn to fear or challenge you if you act threateningly, and physical coercion makes them defend themselves. Neither route leads to the results you want, and even if using these techniques makes your puppy submissive now, they might cause pent-up aggression that manifests later. All dogs, even the most well-mannered and trained ones, have a breaking point, which is the problem.
Puppies pick up on our signals, so if our tone of voice comes across as overly anxious or out of control, they will pick up on that and become anxious and hyperactive. Dog trainers advise using a calm but firm tone when giving commands rather than a loud or angry one, which may seem to make your puppy more receptive to them.
5 Steps to Discipline a Puppy without Punishment
Your dog won’t learn the desired behavior if Skip was told not to bark at the neighbors on Tuesday but you decide to ignore him on Wednesday. Giving in to them “just this once” will encourage the bad behavior, which will cause the issue to persist as a dog problem (and remain your problem).
Only address a problem if you actually catch your puppy doing it. When you correct a puppy ten minutes later after they’ve chewed through the screen door, they won’t understand why you’re upset with them. Using Petcube, a pet camera that will broadcast your voice if you catch your puppy at that screen door, you can keep an eye on them from a distance.
A firm “no” from you lets your puppy know that their actions are inappropriate, but yelling or using physical force will only make them fear you. Dogs interpret these responses as threats to themselves because they are unable to understand that they are in response to a specific behavior.
The opposite of what you want to happen can happen and make your dog fear you. Additionally, it can give your dog the impression that they are impervious to error, which causes them to worry about your response. The most effective means of voicing your disapproval are vocalization or physical removal, such as walking your dog outside. Good puppy parents and trainers should exercise control while maintaining their composure.
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Both rewarding good puppy behavior and discouraging bad behavior are crucial. Positive ways to reinforce your puppy’s good behavior include praise, treats, petting, and playtime. Give your puppy a treat, pet them, and just show your appreciation whenever they do something you like.
Making them feel appreciated will help them comprehend what you expect of them. To let them know they’ve done something well, you can also use a clicker or a verbal cue like “yes!” Give Dixie a treat if she stopped barking after you asked them to do so. Tell Duke what a good boy he is for using the bathroom outside.
It seems that timeouts, or “isolation,” aren’t just effective for misbehaving children; misbehaving puppies can also benefit from them. When used in response to actions like jumping up on people, nipping, mouthing, and some forms of aggression, timeouts are most effective.
The best way to discipline your dog with timeouts is to gently give them a verbal signal, such as “Oops!” and then either leave the room (if you’re alone) or take them to a location where they’ll be isolated from humans and other dogs. Crates can also be effective timeout spaces. A timeout should ideally last no more than a few minutes.
Despite the fact that doing this was once encouraged as a method of teaching a dog who the “leader of the pack” is, it is not the most efficient training method. Using physical punishment teaches your dog that aggression is a legitimate form of communication. Punishing your dog for biting is not the best way to stop it from happening if you don’t want them to bite. Punishment can only provoke fear, anxiety, and aggression.
Using aggression teaches aggression, and while a smack on the nose or a Scruff Shake might cause Rover to stop a problem behavior, too much of this type of punishment just might turn him from a naughty puppy into a seriously troubled dog.
Moreover, because collar jerks and electric fences do not result in long-term behavioral change, experts are starting to discourage their use. The dog may be discouraged by an electric fence, but it could also make them overly anxious.
Pooping and Peeing in the house
Or, in layman’s terms, “going potty in the house”. This is undoubtedly the smelliest challenge in puppy training, and you’re probably most eager to get past it. The good news is that you can easily housebreak your puppy, but you will need to exercise some self-control.
Establishing a routine for your puppy’s eating and going outside times is the first step. Because the digestive process in dogs is fairly regular, you can anticipate that your puppy will need to go potty 5 to 30 minutes after eating. Your puppy will learn to go outside by following other “potty” routines that you establish and maintain (for instance, first thing every morning).
It is acceptable to use “cratebreaking” as a interim step while you are away from the house until your puppy is fully housebroken. Keeping your puppy in a crate while you’re away from home is a great way to prevent any stinky surprises when you return. If your puppy understands that their crate is their “den,” they’re unlikely to soil this space.
Read our ultimate guide to potty training success for more details on potty training.
It’s crucial to praise or give treats to encourage good behavior during the housebreaking process rather than yelling at the dog or punishing him for misbehavior. By the time you notice that your puppy has urinated or pooped inside, they won’t understand why you are reprimanding them.
However, if you catch them doing it inside the house, you can stop it by making loud noises like “Aha!” to divert their attention long enough for you to take them outside. If you are paying attention, you can even remotely capture the puppy using Petcube.
After a few weeks of housebreaking, if your puppy continues to urinate or defecate inside the house, you should take them to the vet to make sure there isn’t a more serious health problem. Using a 24/7 online veterinarian service, you can even get veterinary assistance online and have all of your questions about pets answered in a matter of clicks.
By the way, the Woofz app provides a special course called “Correction” to assist dog owners in effectively correcting their dogs’ undesirable behaviors. The learning process is made simple and enjoyable by using video lessons with audio explanations.
Best Trained & Disciplined Dogs Compilation
Puppies can be challenging, but with the right training, your new pet can develop habits that will keep you both happy and safe. With the ability to interact remotely with your pet and reinforce positive behaviors while preventing negative ones, pet cams like Petcube make training even simpler. They keep your pet entertained and out of mischief. Good luck, and happy training! Share this Article.
FAQ
What happens if I punish my puppy?
Punishment can only provoke fear, anxiety, and aggression. A smack on the nose or a Scruff Shake might get Rover to stop a problem behavior, but using this method of punishment excessively could turn him from a mischievous puppy into a seriously troubled dog.
How do you punish a puppy?
Try making a loud noise, such as clapping your hands, a loud “uh-uh,” or a sharp “off,” if you see your puppy acting inappropriately. Remind yourself that reprimands must be given while the behavior is occurring, preferably right when it starts, and never after.
Is it bad to hit a puppy as punishment?
Spanking or hitting your dog as a form of discipline can have a negative impact on your bond with them. Your dog may develop a number of behavioral issues if you begin using force to discipline them. Insecurity and fear are two common issues that hitting your dog will bring about.
What age can you discipline a puppy?
You should establish firm boundaries and rules for your puppy from the moment you bring them home, whether they are 8 weeks or 8 months old. However, you should teach your puppy what you expect of them, and these rules should be fair and kind.