Diana Myers
Many myths about puppy training persist. Find out now what they are and how you can avoid making these mistakes yourself.
There is hardly a topic that dog owners discuss more than the upbringing of their puppies. Again and again, advice comes up that is outdated or just not right. You can find out here the seven biggest mistakes in dog training and how you can avoid these mistakes yourself.
As many repetitions as possible
Your dog is not hard of hearing. Nevertheless, we often repeat commands too often. This results in the pup overhearing your “here” or choosing when to follow. Check why your dog is doing this. Maybe you just haven’t practiced the command hard enough. So go back a few steps and practice specifically on one command.
The dog is like the man
Unfortunately, we tend more and more to transfer human feelings and behavior to dogs or to believe that dogs think very similarly to us humans. Most of the time, we jump to conclusions.
But dogs are dogs and want to be treated like dogs. They perceive their environment differently than we do. We should be aware of this in order to be able to respond specifically to the needs and wishes of your puppy. Fashionable accessories and costumes, for example, completely ignore the dog’s natural needs – no puppy needs that.
Dogs have a bad conscience
Looking guilty when your pup has done something wrong isn’t a guilty conscience. He’s only acting this way because he reads your body language and hears the anger in your voice. With its rueful look and submissive attitude, the dog simply wants to soothe us and make us friendly.
The dog understands exactly what I say
Shout out “Here” in a friendly manner, but quake with anger inside, fidgeting with the leash or stamping your feet in anger, confuse your pup and he won’t come. Body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions must match so that your dog can really understand you.
It has not yet been scientifically proven that dogs can understand the meaning behind our words. In any case, when training puppies, the various components of body language, facial expressions and voice must be worked with.
Consistency is unimportant
In order to understand and follow rules, dogs need consistent action. The puppy needs to know what is expected of them in order to learn how to behave properly. However, if he’s allowed to go to bed today and not tomorrow, the puppy is only learning not to take you seriously. Remain calm, relaxed, and show perseverance. The consequence has nothing to do with punishment.
Going for a walk is enough
Anyone who thinks that a walk in the morning and a lap around the block in the evening is enough to keep the dog busy is wrong. So that your puppy doesn’t get up to mischief out of sheer boredom and under-challenged, you should also provide activities in your own four walls.
Hardness is a must
Dogs learn primarily through positive experiences. Nothing or often the opposite is achieved with violence, pressure, or harshness. A puppy that is afraid of pain will not study well. A rough treatment between man and dog is a relationship killer. With a lot of patience, care and attention, you will be much better at teaching your dog rules of conduct.