How to Really Correct Your Dog

When it comes to dog training, perhaps the most overlooked aspect of working with a dog is understanding how to correct it. It takes more than simply knowing the right way to do something; you have to be able to "translate" what you know into something that the dog will clearly understand.

Many people make the mistake that dogs are more intuitive at understanding human behavior and communication than they are. Granted, dogs can be oddly in tune with what you're feeling, but they still don't understand words, and they can't always understand why you do something. That's why this article will explain how to really correct your dog in a way that leads to long-lasting, positive behavior.

First, you have to understand that positive reinforcement is more powerful and healthy than negative reinforcement. Why is this? Surely any dog will go out of its way to avoid pain! But that ignores the fact that dogs may not know the reason they're being punished. If they try to come up on the couch and you go overboard with the punishment, they may not get the message. What if they believe they're being punished for something else they had in mind?

Instead, you should correct your dog's behavior by establishing clear boundaries and not getting upset. If a couch is off-limits to your dog, simply remove that dog every single time it tries to climb up. Before the dog tries to climb up, make a firm and clear stand - put a hand up and make a loud noise that says "No." They won't necessarily always understand the word "No" but they will get a read of your voice and they'll get the message loud and clear: this couch is not for them.

Next, realize that it's much easier to lead a dog in the right direction than it is to constantly correct them to the direction you want. If a dog feels that it will be rewarded for staying calm, or going on a walk with you, it will feel much more excited about displaying those behaviors. If, however, a dog simply knows that it will want to avoid the opposite, you aren't replacing any negative behaviors. You're simply eliminating them, giving new places for the dog's anxiety and psychology to find expression. Remember: energy goes where attention flows. Reward good behavior, and don't punish bad behavior: simply stop it.

If you follow these principles, you're much more likely to raise a healthy, happy dog. Be sure that you understand that a dog isn't a replacement for a person, but simply a loyal friend that requires a certain way of behavior from both you and itself in order to have a healthy relationship.

Photo Credits: zenera

This post involves:

boundaries, couch, Dog Training, dogs, loud noise, mistake, negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, right direction, understanding human behavior

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Dog Training

Posted by Dog Training Pet on August 29, 2010 in Dog Training. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.