The First Lessons Of Dog Behavior

The behavior of the dog depends on the rules that its owner teaches him when he adopts it: whether it is a puppy or an already adult specimen, the first lessons are crucial to establish a good coexistence between the newcomer and the rest of the family.

How to get good results from your dog

The first thing you will need to do is teach your dog who is the leader of the new pack he is now part of and, at the same time, what is the role of the animal within this group.

You will have to agree with the rest of the family, to be coherent and all work in the same direction, that is not to confuse the poor animal with contradicting rules: the orders must always be the same and must be given using the same words.

There are rules that you will have to teach your dog right away, let’s see them together.

Where to do your own needs

If you have a garden or yard, take your dog out as soon as you realize he needs to go to the toilet. If, on the other hand, you do not have a similar space available, arrange some newspaper sheets on the floor and let the dog go on them when you realize that he needs to evacuate: the important thing is that you learn that the needs are not made on the floor.

If you manage to organize the times well, you will then see that the animal will get used to fulfilling its needs during its walk.

Where and when to make baby food

It is important that you always feed your dog in the same place and possibly at the same time. This will also help you better calculate the best time to take him out to do his business.

It is also important that your dog gets used to not asking for food while the rest of the family is sitting at the table.

Your personal space

It is the area where his toys, his kennel and the bowls for eating and drinking are located: it must be a comfortable place, where your four-legged friend can feel safe. Remember to always keep it clean and ventilated.

Other rules to teach your dog

The spaces of the house in which it can be

You will have to decide, together with the rest of the family, which are the areas of the house in which the dog can stay and those in which he is not allowed to enter. You will also need to work out together what policy to adopt regarding beds, armchairs and rugs. Once you have decided which are the rules to follow, remember to transmit them to the dog in a clear and above all coherent way, so as not to confuse the animal. 

Teach him to let himself be touched

Whether you need to wash it or inspect it for health problems, it is important that your dog lets himself be touched by you without resisting.

Get him used to the contact when:

• you pull his ears slightly and inspect the inside.
• You open his eyes and mouth to examine his teeth and gums.
• You massage his body, including his tail, legs and pads.

Get him used to the leash

Going out for a walk is essential for a dog just as the leash is essential for going out for a walk. A walk off the leash can pose risks for your furry friend, such as getting lost or being the victim of an accident.

Play without being aggressive

When playing, yours must not bite the hands or other body parts of any family member. he must also learn not to jump on others abruptly. Always take into account the size of the dog if there are children in the house.

Methods for teaching the rules of behavior to dogs

It has now been widely demonstrated that you don’t learn well with reprimands and punishments, whether it’s people or animals. So it is clear that the best way to teach your dog the rules of behavior is that of positive reinforcement.

Little dogs learn easier and faster when they are rewarded for their good deeds. For this reason, we invite you to overlook the things your dog has done wrong, to focus instead on what he did well, rewarding him with cuddles, games or some delicacy that he particularly likes.

Never forget that scolding your dog is only useful if you catch him in the act or when he is about to do something wrong: in these cases the best thing is a sharp “no” while you stop the animal or prevent it from doing some nonsense.

Immediately after that, you will need to show him the correct way to behave and reward him if he obeys you.

The essential commands your dog should learn

Here is a short list of the orders that are the basis of any canine education:

• Sitting
• Below
• Stopped
• Here

And don’t forget that with a lot of patience and a lot of affection, by keeping still but without being aggressive, you will be able to make your dog, in addition to behaving well, a happy animal.