Living with a Dog: News and Views
Tips and guidance on sharing your home - and your existence - with your best friend.

Top Advice On Dog Behavior Training

from author

An early relationship strain will be caused by your dog's propensity to chew

Dogs carry out destructive chewing for three main reasons, they are simply bored, they find it pleasurable to do so, or they find it helps get them through emotional times. The nearest human equivalent for which might be to consume a bar of chocolate!

Anything that gets in the way of this chewing normally ends up in poor state. Unfortunately you dog has a lot of pointed teeth that can damage lots of things.

Chewing is most annoying when it is your own possessions that are the subject, always stop this behavior straight away.

How To Avoid Your Possessions Being Destroyed

The first tip for dog behavior training is to not place valuable objects in the way of temptation. New mothers will know all about preparing a house for a curious newcomer. Why let providence intervene.

In addition, when hiding things be aware of just how agile your dog is. How high can she reach when standing on her back legs for example?

Consider that common targets in the home include books, eyewear, clothing, shoes, garbage, and small appliances like cameras, cell phones, and remote controls.

I am sure you do not need telling that food needs putting away securely. Storing food with a dog around is a problem that is best solved by placing some items up high and making use of strong containers.

The phrase prevention is better than cure applies to dog behaviour training too, if your dog is not given the opportunity to discover the delights of chewing a forbidden item then it is a lot easier for her to learn your house rules.

The one thing you must not do is to allow your dog to start up some of its old habits. Once she has the taste do not be surprised to find shoes you care about being treated to the same destructive chewing.

Getting some doggy toys is a good way of helping your dog understand that those are hers to play with, not any of your own stuff. Take a look around your local pet store for tough items such as rubber bones and balls etc. Buy a few and rotate their use as a way to keep your dog behaviour training interesting.

Some final advice on dog behaviour, when you catch your dog chewing something inappropriate be sure to interrupt her immediately and provide a suitable alternative and give lavish praise when this is accepted as a way of reinforcing good behaviour.