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Do's & Don'ts
Here's what we think you should and shouldn't to! All in the hopes of helping your dog to make good decisions in a positive manner.
More coming soon!
DOG TRAINING
When your dog won't listen to their Sit command.
Do wait for your dog to give you his/her attention and reward that. Continue until your dog sits and only then repeat the command while rewarding. If this seems too difficult, it's likely due to the environment you're both in, which is too distracting.
Don't repeat the command further or use your hand/force to sit your dog.
SOCIALIZATION
Introducing your dog to the dog park.
Do practice walking your dog around the park, saying hi, and walking past dogs but focusing on your connection first, without going inside until later, little by little.
Don’t rush your dog or puppy inside the dog park.
SOCIALIZATION
Meeting other dogs while on walks/on leash.
Do let your dog greet other dogs but keep the interactions short and sweet, paying attention to how both dogs are feeling before meeting again.
Don’t let your dogs greet other dogs for longer than you are comfortable.
DOG TRAINING
Daily enrichment for young/energetic dogs.
Do provide your dog with access to monitored play sessions, scavenging exercises, snuffling games, food puzzles, new training lessons, and experiencing new places.
Don’t make it so your dog’s main outlet for enrichment is walking.
PUPPY TRAINING
When your puppy starts humping you.
Do your best to avoid the behaviour, say "Yes!" and reward when your dog isn't jumping or begging. To help, provide your puppy with something else to hump and/or remove them from the overstimulation from where they are, as well providing them something different like an interesting smell to help change their mindset.
Don't say "No" or "Off" when your dog is jumping and getting frustrated if they're not listening.
JUMPING & BEGGING
When your dog is begging for food.
Do provide them with something else to do instead, and if/when they make the choice to give you space, time and stop begging, go out your way to reward them with a tasty treat to let them know that that is the behaviour you are happy with, instead.
Don't tell them "No" and avoid pushing them away.
SOCIALIZATION
Having a therapy/emotional support dog.
Do your research before getting a dog that you're hoping will be a good fit for this role. Contact recognized organizations and carefully consider the pup your choose, learn more about its parents, their overall demeanour and energy level.
Don't skip on your research and don't assume that your dog is suited/wants to take on this role.
SOCIALIZATION
Introducing a puppy to a dog that isn't a puppy.
Do play with your puppy first (do both physical and mental activities) so that he/she feels mellow, before taking both dogs for a little walk at a comfortable distance from each other, prior to letting them meet closer.
Don't let them come together to play from the start, unless you are convinced that the older dog is happy to.
SOCIALIZATION
Introducing a shy/nervous dog to others.
Do allow your dogs to see each other at a distance (on leash) and walk away from one another in a fun and inviting way before trying again for a little longer, and closer each time. Keep things short and sweet and leave your dog wanting more.
Don't force your dog to meet others at a close distance and avoid forcing them to sniff each other.
BARKING & GROWLING
When your dog is barking at the door.
Do use a scent to redirect their focus/change their mindset a little, or even better wait for them to self-regulate their own emotions (quiet down, relax) before interacting and guiding them towards a better choice.
Don't use your voice or say commands when your dog once he/she has begun barking.
DOG FOOD & WATER
How to make the most of your dog's feeding time.
Do try out creative ways to provide your dog with food and water, other than training. Consider snuffle mats, food puzzles, scent detection games, agility training, impulse control and more.
Don't provide both food and water only through bowls that are always available.
DOG TOYS
How to get the most out of your dog's toys.
Do bring out and swap out toys to keep your dog more engaged with them by creating a frequent sense of novelty when it's time for you to play together.
Don't have them all be easily be available at all times for your dog to grab and use.
RESOURCE GUARDING
When your dog is resource guarding something.
Do practice sharing and exchanging items that are of low value to them, before expecting them to do the same with something they may see as being high value.
Don't scold your dog or take away something they are feeling the need to guard.
DOG TRAINING
When you're considering group training options.
Do register for private training so that your trainer can first assess your dog in scenarios where dogs aren't involved, to give you a proper understanding and tools about how to build up to the idea of other dogs being around, before jumping into a group setting.
Don't register for group training if your dog is reactive towards other dogs.
PUPPY TRAINING
When it comes to that start of puppy training.
Do lower your expectations, and work with your puppy in environments and around others that give you the room to make things easier for yourself as needed, before tackling scenarios your puppy is having difficulty with.
Don't expect a young puppy to understand everything you do. Puppies and dogs do and repeat things that are in their mind useful to them.
BARKING & GROWLING
When it comes to barking or growling.
Do provide your dog with space so that they can on their own regulate their own emotions. If the environment does not allow it, consider that it is perhaps the cause of the behaviour and should be re-evaluated with a positive reinforcement trainer.
Don't punish or provide a correction as your dog is simply trying to convey how they're feeling towards another dog.
NIPPING & CHEWING
When your dog is nipping or chewing.
Do your best to not react too much, and wait for the nipping to cease before providing an alternative. If this is being done repeatedly, consider teething (for pups) or boredom be at the root of the issue and the unwanted behaviour is the symptom.
Don't say "Ouch!" or "No!" when your puppy is nipping or chewing trying to communicate something to you.
JUMPING & BEGGING
When your dog is jumping at you.
Do your best to avoid the behaviour, say "Yes!" and reward when your dog isn't jumping or begging.
Don't say "No" or "Off" when your dog is jumping and getting frustrated if they're not listening.
SEPARATION ANXIETY
When wanting to prevent separation anxiety.
Do attend doggy play sessions where you can reward your puppy for slowly taking space from you.
Don't ave your puppy wait alone at home for periods of time that they can't yet fully handle.
SOCIALIZATION
How to introduce your dog to their crate.
Do invite your dog to go into their crate when you know they're feeling tired, relaxed and like resting.
Don't put your dog in their crate because they've done something you're not happy with.
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