Correction of dog behavior: methods of training

Many of those who wish and plan to have a dog, in dreams, see themselves as the lucky possessor of a faithful bodyguard, like a German shepherd, the beauty of a collie like a movie star, or the miracle dog of St. Bernard rescuing people. It is necessary at this moment to reflect and answer to yourself on one single question: why do I need a four-footed pet? And again the majority will say: I need a friend who understands me. Discarding growth, sex, breed and exterior, the whole point of acquiring a dog will be reduced to this.

You can not satisfy your ambitions at the expense of a living being. You want to brag to your friends - break a chic rose garden on a site with rare specimens, build a new pool, etc. The dog needs love, care and participation.

Help with education you can training (behavior correction). This is absolutely necessary process, if not for you, then at least for family members and friends, because you must be able to manage your pet at the proper level. And the dog must understand that it is absolutely unacceptable to march through life, getting up everything she wants. In other words, an educational process, socialization, introduction to the family is required.

A variety of correction methods

Start a conversation about the training of dogs and the correction of their behavior is, perhaps, with a variety of existing methods at the present time. First, it must be noted that these two processes are closely related. Dressura is a generalized concept, from a very young age you begin to accustom the animal to correct behavior, instilling in him all the qualities necessary for a normal family residence. If something goes wrong, it is necessary to correct it, to direct the energy of the pet in the right direction.

Methods of correcting the behavior of dogs are quite diverse. However, experts are of the opinion that not all are under the power of the owners, some can only be used by professionals. Methods are classified into the following groups:

1. Correction of environmental conditions: the inability to perform certain "problem" actions (muzzle, cage, zagonchik); Negative experience through environmental conditions (coating of furniture with bitter substances, for example, pepper); Change of conditions (moving, new owners).
2. Correction of behavior: training, prohibition of unwanted habits and their connection with a signal (voice, whistle), reinforcement of the absence of bad behavior, training.
3. Correction of mental processes and psyche.
4. Correction of physiology.

The third and fourth group of methods are rather complicated. On them, the correction of the behavior of an adult dog alone is not recommended. It is better to seek advice from specialists who will help to make the right diet, develop a special program or even take your pet temporarily on bail. In this case it is important to properly assess your strengths in order not to aggravate the situation.

About training

To any extent, the behavior of a dog of any breed can be trained and corrected. However, if you plan to participate in exhibitions, competitions and competitions, hunt with the pet, try to take responsibility responsibly. Not the best "material" - it's mestizos and mongrels, although they are sometimes very smart and cunning. However, a skilled trainer can and from them achieve brilliant results, but such masters in reality are rare. Next, the general rules and principles of education for the average dog living in the family will be examined. They are the same for everyone, regardless of origin.

You need to think like a dog

"Think dog-like" - this is the principle that should be based on all the work of training your pet. This council is given by the best specialists of their field, professional cynologists. Correction of dog behavior and training implies anticipating its behavior and reaction to specific circumstances. Do not think that the animal will behave according to the rules that the person came up with. The fundamental difference between him and the dog is that the first can compare and then analyze complex concepts, and the dog learns only simple things, despite the infinite charm, magnificent hearing and sight.

Owners should understand that the ancestors of these four-legged pets were wild species that lived in packs. Instincts, habits, behaviors, fixed by the centuries-old existence as a member of a large group, carry modern dogs. They force animals to look for a partner or food, hunt on the "schedule", which dictates nature itself. This biological information, which can not be ignored, carrying out training (correction) behavior of dogs at home. Do not forget that deep in the shower your pet is a member of the pack. He will quickly learn by example and repetition and even try at some stage of education to become a leader. In this case, if we compare with comparisons, your family should be a pack for him, and one of its members or two of them be leaders. Training helps to direct the energy of the animal in the right direction.

General information

The master must adjust his thinking to an understanding of the behavior and habits of the dog. Typically, the puppy is given at the age of 7-9 weeks. At this stage of development, he should look active, healthy and seem like a plump "ball" full of wickedness and energy. If the owner has any doubts about the health of the puppy, he should contact the veterinarian. The specialist will dispel all anxiety. This is important, since even at such a young age the dog feels the nervousness of the host very well. Uncertainty can play a bad joke. Puppies grow unbalanced and disobedient. In the future, the correction of the behavior of an adult dog can be very difficult, and sometimes even inconclusive.

The puppy at the age of two months sleeps most of the time, and the rest plays. Taking into account his regime of the day, you need to determine the place with a basket, box or even a small paddock. Place them where the puppy will feel safe. In addition, organize for him a playground. After a short time, regularly show a place where he can recover.

The game and playground

The playground and playground are not just a bedroom and entertainment, but an important element of education, so to say, means for correcting the behavior of dogs at an early stage of their development.

Zagonchik acts as a place where the puppy can safely sleep, gnaw a bone, eat, examine the toys donated to him. Only in rare cases can you get him out of there for the purpose of punishment or moralizing. Such incursions will frighten the puppy and unnerving. In addition, restrict children's access to this place and teach them to wait when the pet himself leaves his shelter (home). Many experts on training are opposed to cages and nurseries, because they are howling and worrying. This does not teach them to communicate with people and life in the family. From the point of view of the laws of the pack, loneliness for the dog is an unnatural condition.

As a rule, at the initial stages of adaptation in the family playground serves as a kitchen. This is a great place where a puppy learns to avoid obstacles in the form of chairs, then he can meet and get acquainted with a cat and other pets. All this gives him an invaluable experience of communication. As the puppy grows up and his self-confidence grows, one can expand his living space, releasing him to the garden, the nearby forest or field.

Feeding by the order

Feeding by routine is an important stage in the training and correction of the behavior of dogs at an early stage of their development. It is of paramount importance. Every time you feed your puppy, you can take advantage of the opportunity to gradually introduce (without special stress) the methods of training. For example, tapping lightly with a bowl, call him by name. For a couple of days the kid will learn to run to the call of the master. You can also learn the command "Sit". This will serve as an excellent base for further training.

Correction of dog behavior: the role of voice and intonation

You need to communicate with a dog. Only in this way it can be taught. One of the basic principles, which is useful at all levels of training, is a voice, as a means of developing obedience. To achieve good results, the owner uses various commands: "To me!", "Sit!", "Place!", "Fu!", Etc. But besides the word, the intonation with which it is pronounced is also important. Depending on the command, it changes, and thus it is necessary to observe the sequence. It happens that even the most successful dog breeders in terms of correcting the behavior of dogs (upbringing) achieve insignificant results. The reason lies in the fact that they all give instructions with the same intonation.

So, one of the first commands that puppies are taught is "To me!". It should be pronounced more slowly and slowly than a jerky and short "Sit!". The command "To lie!" Is given in a firm and low voice. The last two directions are found and applied in a close relationship in training.

The command "Fu!", Denoting in the canine language "Immediately stop what you are doing or are going to do, otherwise you will get", should be given abruptly and sharply. For successful training, you will need not only time, but also patience.

Patience and calmness

Remember that the correction of the behavior of an adult dog, and the more so the training of a small puppy requires from their master calmness and patience. From the age of two months and up to 1 year your pet will be in the stage of maximum susceptibility. But in the initial stages, he quickly gets tired, and he can simply bother teaching. Therefore, even if it shows excellent results and is gifted, do not exhaust it with the same set of commands. At the age of 8-10 weeks, enough to train for training five minutes a day, you can increase the time when the puppy grows up to 5-6 months.

The biggest mistake and, as a rule, irreparable is the formation of fear of the dog before classes. The time for training should be easy for her and carefree, to bring pleasure. It is important to praise the pet for every, even the smallest, achievement.

Specialists and cynologists in the correction of dog behavior, its upbringing recommend refraining to owners from punishment in any of their manifestations. The puppy is not able to regard it correctly. Moreover, he most likely will not understand what he was punished for, but the likelihood that he will go into the corner and wait with horror for the next classes is very high.

Another important conclusion that should not be overlooked is your behavior, gestures and tone, which give out stress, fatigue or fallen into trouble. Do not try to teach a dog something like this. Irritability and impatience are the worst allies in this business.

Leash to correct dog behavior

The collar and leash are the two most necessary items for training. We recommend buying a puppy leather accessory of the appropriate size. To fasten the collar on his neck for the first time can be directly before feeding, then he will put up with this measure without protests.

At the age of 5-6 months the dog will need a collar in the form of a chain with a leash attached to one of the rings. It is often called a "striker". However, it would be more correct to say "jerky collar". After all, he should be associated with a short sharp jerk, which reminds the dog that she can not always behave as she wants, and not with strangulation. Nylon and leather loops are recommended for use in dogs that have already undergone training. They can damage puppies.

Now the distribution has received electric collars for correcting the behavior of dogs. Around them there are many myths and erroneous opinions. It is important to weigh the pros and cons before applying it. With its help, you can give negative reinforcement to the dog at a distance, but it will be effective only if properly applied in the hands of a specialist. Preference should be given to high-quality collars, cheap can cause harm, it is not known how much current it can give out.

Correcting aggressive behavior

Aggressive behavior is a common occurrence in dog breeding. It is mainly due to inept treatment of animals: poor breeding, illiterate upbringing and maintenance. It is important to remember that aggressive communication leads to lack of communication, unjustified encouragement, strong punishments, insecurity from attacks by children. In 90% of cases it is observed in males, most often during puberty (18-36 months). Be prepared for the fact that correcting the dog's aggressive behavior can take a long time. This process is akin to rehabilitation.

It is important to remember the same rule - the dog is in the soul part of the pack. The owner is her leader. If at some point the situation turned in the opposite direction and the dog began to feel the main thing, it is required to "return" it to its place. To do this, deprive the dog of the attributes characteristic of the leader:

• Getting food first;
• Only the leader leads a flock, that is, drags his master on a leash;
• Occupation of the most comfortable and often high places for rest (bed, pillow, sofa);
• The leader demands and always receives tidbits from the table;
• Enough for the legs of "unloved" guests.

The world famous cynologist C. Milan advises to correct the behavior of the dog to other dogs, to the host and to the surrounding world in a very unusual way - kneading food with your own hands and not with a spoon. Thus, a man leaves his smell in it, and as if openly declares his domination, as if he himself ate the first from this bowl.

What is "necessary" and what is "not necessary"

When in the way of puppy education the host will meet certain difficulties, he should try to solve them by trying on the point of view of his pet, always remembering the law of the pack. It is important to monitor the process and not start it.

You do not have to let the dog jump on the door as soon as the bell rings. If with a small puppy the situation seems funny, then with an adult it can already be dangerous. You will understand this behavior, but friends and guests will not appreciate it.

Do not let the dog rush about the car. This will cause inconvenience to you, passengers and in general may cause an accident. She must have a well-defined place. Control the behavior of the pet using the commands "Sit!", "Place!" And "Lying!".

Do not let a dog jump on people. She does this solely out of love and friendliness, but sharp claws tear and dirty clothes. Teach her to take a caress at her "level".

Training and correction of unwanted behavior of the dog involves regular classes, and not from case to case. We must practice daily a little, step by step learning the basics of "good behavior."

Specialists advise owners to take their pets with them wherever they go. Of course, this is not always possible. However, do not leave the dogs alone at home for long. In the company of a person, she does not get bored and will not establish her own "order" in an empty house.

The most important principle that every owner should be guided by is the desire to communicate with the dog. He must himself enjoy learning and playing with her. Otherwise, the probability of success in education is extremely small. The process should bring joy not only to the pet, but to the master himself.