It can be easy to overlook bad behaviour in our beloved pets because we’re all so busy. Whether it’s study or work, the days can quickly race away, and winter will be here before you know it!
It’s time to stop and identify any problem behaviours your dog may have and work on some training and behaviour solutions.
Here are some common behaviours that are less than ideal — does your dog pass the test?
- Excessive barking
- Pulling on the lead
- Digging
- Jumping up when visitors arrive
- Not coming when called
Of course, it can be overwhelming to tackle all these problems at once, so why not pick one area you want your dog to improve on and focus your attention there? There are many different training methods around; in fact, we’ve covered a lot of these problems in prior issues of PETS. Here’s one we’ll be working on this season:
Coming When Called
It’s a common problem for many dogs, especially in o!-leash parks or beaches, where the temptation to ignore their owners and keep playing is just too great. Here are our top tips for getting a strong recall:
- Start in a closed room or small, confined space. Less distractions = more chance of success.
- Call your dog from a metre or two away using your chosen command (“come” or your pet’s name).
- When your dog arrives by your side, deliver a high-value treat and lots of praise and encouragement.
- Repeat this in short training sessions of a few minutes at a time. Expand your boundaries. If you’ve so far only trained inside, try this technique outdoors in your yard, or in a larger area.
Of course, it’s when you do head out into the great outdoors that it can be a problem. PETS recommends getting a long, loose lead and taking your dog out to your local park. Call your dog to you — does he come back immediately? If not, try this again but lessen the length of the lead. Reduce your dog’s ability to fail — you want this to work so she can learn the correct behaviour. You can also try changing the treat for something of a higher value — we find barbecue chicken seems to work well!
Once you’ve mastered this recall, it’s time to try the recall o!-leash (in a dog-friendly off-leash park or beach, of course). If you’re still having problems working on recall, PETS recommends speaking to your local animal behaviour expert for further advice.
Tell us how you go with your behaviour challenge on Facebook. We want to see all of us helping to eradicate problem behaviour in our pets this season.
Want more articles like this? Pick up a copy of PETS Magazine from your local newsagent or online at Universal Shop.
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