10 things to be careful not to do when raising a puppy
#1 Punishment
Probably not what you were expecting to top the list, as we have all been trained to give both positive and negative feedback as a guide to young learners. However, using negative physical or verbal actions to redirect a puppy's behavior may not have the expected consequence. Not only do they come to associate displeasure with you, but they are not likely to form an association between discipline and the undesired act. Reward training, while requiring proactive effort and greater initiative, is found to be far more effective in conveying desired behavior for young dogs, and results in happier companions along with improved learning.
Marketers know their business: paste a few luxurious ingredients on the package, and any self-respecting dog owner will shell out the difference for expensive puppy chow. Fact is, most seemingly beneficial additives are themselves not essential for your puppy's health. While it makes sense to seek out foods that are thoughtfully sourced, any extra for the latest bells and whistles will only serve to soothe your conscience rather than help your puppy in any discernible way. Do yourself, and your wallet, a favor and save those extra bucks for a trip to the dog park, or an occasional professional grooming.
#4 Inconsistency
This gets back to the idea of punishment and reward: There are going to be times when we respond to certain behaviors but fail to at others. This inconsistency confuses our young companion. To avoid this, use proactive training to elicit target behaviors and provide guidance as you go. In any event, be disciplined in your approach, giving consistent feedback for their actions time after time. Predictable outcomes build predictable behavior, especially during the formative years of puppyhood.
#5 Leash Control
We are all going to make mistakes while our dogs are on a leash. Reflex suggests we pull in response to circumstance to control our animal. Yet, these mistakes are not entirely helpful, and are especially confusing to a young pup. As it turns out, dogs have a reflex to pull away from being restrained. This rarely results in the desired behavior, and does little to train your growing puppy on how to use behave on their leash. Instead of pulling, redirect your companion away from the source of its excitement and reward his reaction. Soon, he will come to learn that his leash is part of a team effort, not simply an annoying barrier to his freedom. Have him focus on your interaction during your walks, and he will come to find you far more attractive than whatever grabs his attention along the way.
#6 Impatience
The early formative weeks are a golden opportunity to build a foundation for a lifetime of good behavior. Patience is required for the rearing of any dog, so be careful not to give up just because you aren't making headway. It may take an inexperienced owner longer to do effective training, so give yourself and your pup due time. Frustration can easily subside once you remind yourself that you, too, were young once and really didn't know any better. Remaining calm, trying again, being compassionate, and awaiting positive outcomes are all parts of the patience required to be an effective role model to your puppy.
#7 Treats
Yes, we've said it time and time again: Positive reinforcement is the key to proper training of your pup; however, this doesn't end with mere treats. Emotional feedback, such as praise and esteem building, are far more effective in reinforcing ongoing behaviors in our pups. Treats are a great start, especially when introducing new concepts, but can become a crutch that loses effectiveness as Fido plays to his salivary glands rather than his human's approval. Turn to play, toys, or just genuine good vibes to build a long-term sense of fulfillment in your puppy that won't dissipate a few moments after he has swallowed.
#8 Being Emotional
Few things cause us to lose face with our canine friends like losing our cool. Not only do anger and frustration thwart our best training efforts, but they take away from the composed demeanors to which dogs truly seem to respond. Competence is conveyed through confidence, and pack animals generally look up to someone who knows what they are doing. This self control goes for praise as well, as a calm yet encouraging response reduces the range of reactions that your pup must interpret. Maintaining control is a great show of respect for yourself, your dog, and others around you.
#9 Being Reactive
Being reactive rather than proactive encompasses several of the mistakes mentioned here, but it's easy to see why only reacting to your puppy is to be avoided. First, it suggests you aren't taking the time to train your puppy, or to think out the appropriate responses to their conduct. Second, reactions are likely emotional and bring about actions that are not effective in reinforcing your puppy's behavior, whether it be positive or negative. Last, reflexive reactions are generally inconsistent, which results in confusing and mixed messages. If one rule were to be invoked over all others here, it would speak to being proactive in all aspects of your pup's learning phase, one that serves as your sole guiding force should you not be able to recite the other nine.
#10 Repeat Commands
Don't read this. I said, don't read this! See, it didn't work the first time...why would it the second? All joking aside, don't make a fool out of yourself in front of your puppy by making repeat demands based on failed instruction. There's probably a good reason why it didn't work the first time, and is more likely operator error than any fault of the dog itself. Instead, try playing it cool and pretend you didn't mean for him to sit that time, then go on to another activity or approach. Being overly controlling or attached to a particular outcome is not helpful in teaching the puppy any new tricks, and is far from making you appear to be at your best. Patient, unemotional handlers let go quickly and search for new ways to gain their puppy's compliance.
#1 Punishment
Probably not what you were expecting to top the list, as we have all been trained to give both positive and negative feedback as a guide to young learners. However, using negative physical or verbal actions to redirect a puppy's behavior may not have the expected consequence. Not only do they come to associate displeasure with you, but they are not likely to form an association between discipline and the undesired act. Reward training, while requiring proactive effort and greater initiative, is found to be far more effective in conveying desired behavior for young dogs, and results in happier companions along with improved learning.
Marketers know their business: paste a few luxurious ingredients on the package, and any self-respecting dog owner will shell out the difference for expensive puppy chow. Fact is, most seemingly beneficial additives are themselves not essential for your puppy's health. While it makes sense to seek out foods that are thoughtfully sourced, any extra for the latest bells and whistles will only serve to soothe your conscience rather than help your puppy in any discernible way. Do yourself, and your wallet, a favor and save those extra bucks for a trip to the dog park, or an occasional professional grooming.
#4 Inconsistency
This gets back to the idea of punishment and reward: There are going to be times when we respond to certain behaviors but fail to at others. This inconsistency confuses our young companion. To avoid this, use proactive training to elicit target behaviors and provide guidance as you go. In any event, be disciplined in your approach, giving consistent feedback for their actions time after time. Predictable outcomes build predictable behavior, especially during the formative years of puppyhood.
#5 Leash Control
We are all going to make mistakes while our dogs are on a leash. Reflex suggests we pull in response to circumstance to control our animal. Yet, these mistakes are not entirely helpful, and are especially confusing to a young pup. As it turns out, dogs have a reflex to pull away from being restrained. This rarely results in the desired behavior, and does little to train your growing puppy on how to use behave on their leash. Instead of pulling, redirect your companion away from the source of its excitement and reward his reaction. Soon, he will come to learn that his leash is part of a team effort, not simply an annoying barrier to his freedom. Have him focus on your interaction during your walks, and he will come to find you far more attractive than whatever grabs his attention along the way.
#6 Impatience
The early formative weeks are a golden opportunity to build a foundation for a lifetime of good behavior. Patience is required for the rearing of any dog, so be careful not to give up just because you aren't making headway. It may take an inexperienced owner longer to do effective training, so give yourself and your pup due time. Frustration can easily subside once you remind yourself that you, too, were young once and really didn't know any better. Remaining calm, trying again, being compassionate, and awaiting positive outcomes are all parts of the patience required to be an effective role model to your puppy.
#7 Treats
Yes, we've said it time and time again: Positive reinforcement is the key to proper training of your pup; however, this doesn't end with mere treats. Emotional feedback, such as praise and esteem building, are far more effective in reinforcing ongoing behaviors in our pups. Treats are a great start, especially when introducing new concepts, but can become a crutch that loses effectiveness as Fido plays to his salivary glands rather than his human's approval. Turn to play, toys, or just genuine good vibes to build a long-term sense of fulfillment in your puppy that won't dissipate a few moments after he has swallowed.
#8 Being Emotional
Few things cause us to lose face with our canine friends like losing our cool. Not only do anger and frustration thwart our best training efforts, but they take away from the composed demeanors to which dogs truly seem to respond. Competence is conveyed through confidence, and pack animals generally look up to someone who knows what they are doing. This self control goes for praise as well, as a calm yet encouraging response reduces the range of reactions that your pup must interpret. Maintaining control is a great show of respect for yourself, your dog, and others around you.
#9 Being Reactive
Being reactive rather than proactive encompasses several of the mistakes mentioned here, but it's easy to see why only reacting to your puppy is to be avoided. First, it suggests you aren't taking the time to train your puppy, or to think out the appropriate responses to their conduct. Second, reactions are likely emotional and bring about actions that are not effective in reinforcing your puppy's behavior, whether it be positive or negative. Last, reflexive reactions are generally inconsistent, which results in confusing and mixed messages. If one rule were to be invoked over all others here, it would speak to being proactive in all aspects of your pup's learning phase, one that serves as your sole guiding force should you not be able to recite the other nine.
#10 Repeat Commands
Don't read this. I said, don't read this! See, it didn't work the first time...why would it the second? All joking aside, don't make a fool out of yourself in front of your puppy by making repeat demands based on failed instruction. There's probably a good reason why it didn't work the first time, and is more likely operator error than any fault of the dog itself. Instead, try playing it cool and pretend you didn't mean for him to sit that time, then go on to another activity or approach. Being overly controlling or attached to a particular outcome is not helpful in teaching the puppy any new tricks, and is far from making you appear to be at your best. Patient, unemotional handlers let go quickly and search for new ways to gain their puppy's compliance.