3 important behaviors to teach your dog

 

 

Dogs of all ages and breeds can learn new tricks, essential behaviors, and commands. All it takes is a little dedication and patience from you. A minute or two every couple of hours during the day working with your dog will help your furry friend be their best canine self—and make your life easier! 

Follow this guide to teach your pet a few of the most essential and even life-saving behaviors. 

1. Stop barking 

Barking can be one of the most frustrating behaviors dogs will do and the hardest to fix. Dogs will bark to alert you about danger and when they need something like food or a bathroom break. However, when your dog barks for no reason, training will work to stop this undesirable behavior. 

Positive reinforcement training is great but doesn’t always work for barking. For dogs, barking is a natural response to discomfort, and it sometimes requires more than treats to silence them during the day and keep you safe from migraines. 

The solution is to use the best “stop dog barking” device to order online. For example, the BarxBuddy is a device that uses ultrasonic noise as deterrent training when dogs bark. You use a remote that releases a high-pitched noise when they bark. The idea is that the noise interrupts barking and creates a negative association, thus teaching your dog not to bark in the future. 

2. “Place” training

Training your dog to stay “in place” could save his life someday! Eventually, your dog will learn to go to stand on a specific mat in a safe location on command to keep him from dangers like speeding cars or even snakes. 

You will need to set out a doormat or old pet bed. Say the word “place” and use a treat to lure them onto the mat. Reward him only when all four paws are on the mat. Then back away a step. If they keep their paws on the mat, step forward and reward them. 

If your pet moves off the mat, silently use a treat to maneuver the dog back onto the mat. Repeat this step back and moving the dog onto the mat until Fido learns to stay when you back up. Ideally, he will stay on the mat even when you walk away. 

3. “Leave it” 

This command is another essential behavior to teach because it could save your dog from eating something poisonous while outside. It also helps refocus your pet if he becomes overly distracted. 

Start with a treat on the ground and some treats in your pocket. Cover the treat on the ground with your hand, and do not let your pet ever eat this particular snack. Wait patiently as your pet sniffs and interacts with your hand covering the treat. 

Eventually, he will choose to look away from the snack. At that moment, give your pet a treat from your pocket. Repeat this process until your dog makes the connection between leaving the first treat alone and getting a reward. 

You can use the words “leave it” as a marker phrase, so in other situations, your dog will know to look away from a distraction or danger on command. 

Final thoughts on essential behaviors

Teaching your dog essential behaviors is a great way to create a bond based on trust with your furry best friend. Training establishes communication with your pet, so you won’t have to resort to yelling.

The best benefit comes from the essential behaviors listed above, like stop barking, “leave it” and “place,” which could save your dog’s life from speeding cars or poisonous plants.

Spend time training your dog so you can have a well-behaved, safe, and quiet furry best friend!

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