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1. Be a defender for your dog
We frequently consider how dogs can defend us. We go to the K9 demonstrations in the park and see the fearsome Belgian Malinois knock down the "criminal" in the puffy suit. We adopt that intimidating-looking shepherd mix to make potential burglars think twice.
With all of this, we occasionally forget that our dogs need our protection more than we do, unless we want them to attack our loved ones with their fangs, which, as that Belgian Malinois proved, they are perfectly capable of doing.
Only you can speak out for and defend your dog. Take a stand for her. You'll meet many of individuals who want to interact with your dog as a brand-new dog owner. It's okay if Lola likes people. However, it's OK to ask others not to touch if Lola is hesitant.
Learning to actually walk between my scared dog Jonas and anything that terrified him was one of the finest things I ever did for him, especially when it came to those oh-so-scary kids who wanted to grab his ears. Jonas always appeared at ease whenever I did this. Your dog will receive a clear message from that straightforward action: "Don't be alarmed. I've got it.
2. Take notice of what your dog is saying
When dogs refuse to obey their owners, people frequently take offense.
Yet why? Perform you take a human friend's refusal to do anything you asked her to do personally and fear that she's attempting to control you? Most likely not; you only need to identify the cause. She might not be feeling well. She could be occupied. She could not comprehend what you're asking. It's possible that she feels uneasy about it.
A dog who is worried and hyperactive frequently developed these traits because no one ever pays attention to him. His trainer either tugs on the leash or waves biscuits in his face until he agrees to do anything if he resists. What happens to him is out of his hands.
Find out why your dog is saying "no, I can't do that" the next time. The circumstance could be frightening for any reason. He could not be feeling well. He might not have even heard you. Your adamant cries or leash pulls may practically go unheard if a dog becomes severely disoriented.
Or perhaps he is simply saying, "wait on a sec," rather than "no." He could be playing with his canine companions or sniffing a particularly interesting tree, and he doesn't want to go just yet. Train your dog if this is the case. But don't get insulted in the meanwhile. Instead, acknowledge that you just need to improve on it and devise a plan of action with your dog to solve the issue.
You can also check: 3 Things You Shouldn’t Forget When Training Your Dog
3. Enjoy yourself and act fun
I recognize the propensity to take dog training quite seriously, particularly if your new dog exhibits some annoying behavioral issues. However, things don't have to be this way. Let loose a little. When you're not worried about trying to teach Fido something, spend some time with him. Exercise your dog! Play with toys; have a tug toy nearby for a brief game as a break between workouts. And play without any toys; engage Fido in some roughhousing or tag. The greatest approach to establish a solid bond between you and your dog is through "play training," which increases attention and passion. He will like and trust you more as a result.
4. Work as a team
Participate in the ancient tradition of the canine-human working partnership. Once you and Lola have gotten to know each other a bit, take up a dog sport or hobby. Take an agility class, learn a freestyle routine, learn some Frisbee dog tricks, train as a therapy dog team.
5.Give him some privacy
Being adopted is one of the most trying experiences a dog will ever have, even by a beautiful person like your gorgeous self. He has to feel protected before you can do any of the fun things you have planned to do with him.
Giving him a home of his own is a simple way to do that. He needs a quiet place where he can unwind and consider his new situation. Decide on a hidden location where he may still observe household activity, such as a corner of the living room. Make the space cozy and dog-proof. For the majority of dogs, a crate is the ideal solution, but you may also use a dog bed or an exercise pen. Add chew toys and blankets. Respect his personal space when he is in his "chamber" by not letting your children or other pets crawl all over him.
6. Find out what your dog enjoys, then do more of it
You'll start to learn the things your dog like as you grow to know her. Use such activities to have fun with each other.
Digging up the yard, bothering the cat, and other behaviors that make your dog happy may not always make you happy. You merely need to think of new ways to use such items.
For your digger, create a sandbox. Play Frisbee, tug-of-war, or construct a flirt pole with your cat-chaser. Numerous irritating behavioral issues can be solved by using a little imagination.
7. Use constructive training techniques
Instead of constantly criticizing negative behavior, modern training methods focus on preparing the dog for success and showing him exactly how to behave. As a result, training stops being boring and starts to be enjoyable. Your dog comes to understand that you are a reliable source who deserves to be listened to.
8. Walk together
Take your time, don't hurry rush him outside to use the restroom or get his 30 minutes of exercise. With your dog, explore. He should pause and smell the roses. He leads the way occasionally, and you lead the way other times. Spending time together and fostering positive sentiments for one another may be done easily by going for walks.
9. Have exciting journeys
Hike with your dog. Take him to the lake or the dog beach. Take a road trip, camping excursion, or picnic. It need not be entirely outdoorsy: Attend a dog show at the park and chuckle at the bizarre canine hairdos. Explore a pet exhibition and take as many free samples as you can. Share a package of chicken nuggets at a fast food restaurant. Visit an agility competition as spectators and gush to one another about how "pshh, we could TOTALLY do that if we wanted to."
Engage in activities with your dog that are more about bonding than training or addressing behavioral issues.
10. Slow your roll
"I've had my puppy for three whole days, but neither I nor him adore each other. What am I doing incorrectly? I can't tell you how many disheartened new dog parents have expressed this emotion to me.
Nothing you're doing is incorrect. This is simply how things work.
There is a lot of commotion about the ideas that dogs love unconditionally, that rescued dogs are incredibly appreciative of their adopters, that they simply LIVE to please their masters, etc. So it's understandable if you assume that bringing your new puppy home should result in an instant bond of unwavering affection.
Actually, it doesn't operate that way, at least not all the time. You took in a living thing. You didn't just pick up a box of instant Grateful Rescued Dog (New-and-Improved with Added Respect and Adoration!) from the Unconditional Love shop.
You can form relationships with humans or dogs over time. It takes months and years, not days, to build and strengthen an unshakable friendship.
11. You can give your dog comfort when she's worried
Numerous false beliefs regarding canine behavior are persistent, hurtful, and problematic. The "law" that you should never reassure a terrified dog is one of the most pervasive and misguided fallacies. For example, if you pet your dog when she cowers next to you after being scared by a loud noise, you're merely causing her to develop a fear of loud noises.
That is untrue. It is predicated on an ignorance of how animals learn. Emotions cannot be reinforced in the same way that action is.
You don't have to tell your dog to "suck it up" and get over being terrified if he is. It's okay to reassure him.
12. Allow her to sleep in your bedroom
Until she settles in, at least. A dog, especially a puppy, finds this experience to be frightening. She will feel more secure and understand that you are a family if she spends the night with her new family.
13. Be there for her
The road to connection is not one-way. You must show your dog the respect and consideration she deserves. Give your dog your undivided attention while you're training her. The best time to think about work or plan supper is not during a training session. Practice being fully present in the moment. Lola will detect if you aren't truly "there" with her and won't be there with you if you aren't.
