Do you wish your dog was “better” in public? Would he be less shy? Less bouncy or barky? Less hostile to other dogs? You’re not alone. Many dogs have at least one issue that keeps their owners from feeling comfortable about taking them out in public. Even though many of these behaviors are normal, your natural responses in these situations may be making things worse. Your tension travels right down the leash to your dog. Your frustration makes him more nervous.
There’s good news. For many dogs, excitement issues can be improved. It’s a matter of using the right training methods and having patience. A good starting place is to ask yourself what better behavior would look like.
- Do you want him to sit quietly?
- Should he stand still with all four paws on the ground?
- Should he lie comfortably on a mat?
- Can you picture what you want clearly? If not, you won’t be able to teach it to your dog.
Knowing exactly what you’re looking for will give you a head start on knowing what to practice. It will reduce your buddy’s frustration and speed his training, too. If the behavior you want has more than one part – like standing still AND being quiet – you’ll need to break your training into small steps and work on them one at a time. Like people, dogs learn in steps, so avoid trying to do too much in one lesson. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day! Take your time with training, and always end every session on an up note. You’ll be surprised at his progress.
For more information or help with this topic, contact us: info@spry.dog
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