As crucial as dog training is for your pet’s social development, it’s also a task that can be extremely frustrating to commit to long-term as an owner. It’s perfectly normal to feel like you want to throw in the towel on days that are particularly hard for your dog to stay focused and listen, but that’s the biggest mistake you could make. Without consistency, dedication and patience, you can’t expect your dog to learn correct behaviors and get rid of the ones that drive you crazy (jumping, digging, barking, chewing, leash pulling, etc.) and can be dangerous (aggression, biting, growling, etc.). Addressing these unwanted actions and turning them around will take a while, but in the end, you’re sure to see it’s well worth the investment of your time. Below are a few tips for handling your dog’s training in a positive way, even when frustration begins to set in.
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Your Dog and Other Pets; Introductions
Whether you just got a new dog and you are trying to figure out the safest way to introduce him to the household cat, or you need to help your dog get along with a new bunny, some training and introductions are definitely in order! It does not matter what species of animal you are trying to help your dog become accustomed to, be it a hamster, ferret or pet iguana, knowing your dog is the very first step. If it is a new dog, you both will be in for a learning curve, as the dog’s prey drive and his previous socialization are truly being put to the test!
Prey Drive
Prey drive is the instinctual urge to chase, kill and eat a prey animal. All carnivores have prey drive, as it helped them survive through being adequate hunters. We see this in cats who play with toys and in wild wolves who hunt down rabbits. We even see this in dogs, though it often transfers itself into ball drive. Ball drive is virtually the same thing as prey drive, but the animal feels compelled to chase and catch a ball instead of a small animal.
Off the Leash; Letting Your Dog Exercise Without the Leash
It is nearly every dog owners dream to let their dog run freely without being tied down, fenced in or stuck on a leash next to their owner. All dogs love to run, and most dogs need it to really burn off their pint up energy. All of that energy builds and builds until it is expressed in behavioral problems like destructive chewing or excessive barking. Running freely can bring a dog great joy and make him a tired, yet calm and relaxed pet at home. However, few of today’s pet dogs can safely enjoy a good off-leash run or play session simply due to a lack of training. You and your dog must be prepared and always on guard during such a risky endeavor.
Reliable Recall
No dog should ever go off leash, even in a fenced area without a solid recall. Recall is the command in which you call your dog to come to you and he does at the drop of hat. Any dog should be able to immediately stop anything he’s doing, whether it’s in mid run to catch a ball or rolling in dirt to come to you when you ask him to. This is a major safety net that any dog should be able to do, but very few actually have been trained to do.