How to improve the behaviour of your dog

A dog is more than just a pet – it’s a member of the family, and boy, do dogs know it. Dogs are social animals and are happiest when they have plenty of company and mental stimulation. Most dogs are exceptionally bright, and if they lack mental stimulation will find ways to make their own entertainment. Without training and a proper outlet for their energy, they can show signs of anxiety, which sometimes manifests as chewing, barking, excitability or antisocial behaviour.

Keep Them Entertained

Just like humans, dogs will grow bored if they’re not stimulated. When a dog is bored, lonely or anxious, it is far more likely to misbehave even though they might not realise that what they’re doing is going to be unhelpful – like chewing up the furniture and making a mess on the clean carpet. Some breeds are far more intelligent than others, but every dog has the capacity to learn new tricks, even old ones.

Furthering Their Education

Dogs enjoy being busy, and when they’re young, their energy levels can seem boundless. Don’t forget they have four legs and can run and walk far longer than you can without feeling especially tired. Of course, some breeds are more active than others, but generally speaking, dogs have plentiful stamina.

Once your puppy or young dog has been sufficiently trained in basic commands, is house trained, and can respect boundaries enforced by its owner, it’s now time to further its education, if you like, and try their paws at new things like agility training to keep their minds sharp and engaged. A well trained and behaved dog is a happy one, so consider Dog Agility Classes Suffolk if you have the time to invest in your pup’s future to see them grasp new manoeuvres and tricks, and keep both their mind and body young and active.

Encourage Appropriate Behaviours

Don’t allow them to believe that jumping up at you and others is an affective way to seek attention. When they do this, turn away from them and ignore them. Praise and pet them when they are being well behaved, and give them a treat if they greet visitors without jumping at them if they have been doing so in the past.

Don’t Scold Them

Dogs only want to live peacefully side by side with you and you must bear in mind that a dog will not go out of its way to annoy or anger you. You cannot communicate with them to explain how you feel and what you want, so you must show them, teach them, and reward them as much as possible. Never punish your dog by using force or by shouting. If your dog has done something that you don’t wish for it to do again, then change how you do things. If they’ve made a mess, then be sure to spend more time with them in the garden to encourage them to go outside, and take them out for walks more regularly. Ensure that you get them out for a thirty minute walk at least twice a day, and provide them with plenty of suitable playthings.