Ways to Encourage Positive Behavior in Your Dog

Raising a puppy is similar to raising a child. You have to teach both positive behavior and manners. A young dog has no idea what you want him to do or how to behave in an acceptable fashion. It takes training, patients, and persistence to teach your canine companion to become a valued member of your family and society. In this article we will examine ways to encourage positive behavior in your dog. 

Tips on How to Create Positive Behavior in Your Puppy

Dogs naturally want to please their owners. They will watch you and listen to you to learn what to do to make you happy. This is one of the main reasons why dogs are considered ‘man’s best friend’.  A canine is easy to train and bonds closely with an owner.  You’ll simply need to provide a solid foundation for your puppy to thrive.

Obedience School and Puppy Classes 

You might thing that an eight-week-old puppy is too young to attend obedience school, but you would be wrong. Many dog obedience instructors offer puppy classes which help socialize a young dog and teach the pup basic obedience. The classes are ideal for young puppies and are one of the most important ways to encourage positive behavior in your dog. 

Teach Your Pet Not to Jump Up

Dogs like to jump up, but if your dog is large then it can easily knock a person down or the claws can scratch skin. Teaching your dog not to jump up on people is an ideal way to ensure ongoing good behavior. Teach the command ‘down’ and give your dog a tasty reward when they do not jump up on you. 

Spend Ample Time with Your Dog

Your young dog needs to spend time with you to learn good behavior. You’ll have the opportunity to bond with your dog and Fido will quickly learn what you expect him to do. Just like with a child, the more time you spend with the dog, the more you will bond, and the pup will strive too always please you. 

Teach Your Dog Not to Bark

Yes, all dogs bark on occasion and you want your pup to bark on occasion. However, chronic barking can quickly become a problem by disturbing your neighbors. Most dogs bark excessively because they suffer from separation anxiety when you are not home. You should give your pup plenty of toys to occupy them when you cannot be home. Also, tell your dog ‘No bark’ if she should start to bark excessively when you are home. With persistence, your dog will learn when it is acceptable to bark and when it is not.

Encouraging positive behavior in your dog will make the time you spend together delightful. Also, friends, family and strangers will find your dog to be a canine good citizen with stellar manners. You want your dog to become a valued member of your family and your best furry friend so ensuring the pup has manners is a necessity.