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Do's & Don'ts
Here's what we think you should and shouldn't do! All in the hopes of helping your dog make good decisions, in a positive manner. More coming soon!
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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