by Sarah |
Last Updated: April 20, 2021 Every new puppy owner wants to know how to discipline a puppy properly.
Who doesn’t want a well-trained dog? It is every dog owner’s dream, and it starts with understanding the ins and outs of how to discipline a puppy.
With training and encouragement, a dog learns to understand good behavior from bad behavior. It is true that there might be mistakes in the course of the training and when the dog is in the process of learning, but it should not limit you as the owner or act as a barrier to continue training the puppy.
How To Discipline A Puppy 101
All you need to do at this time is find the proper means to discipline your puppy and redirect him in the right direction, and you will have a well-behaved dog. Fortunately for us animal parents, pets tend to learn fast.
Working with him on obedience training can achieve positive results relatively quickly. However, before diving into the topic of how to discipline a puppy, you should learn the do’s and don’ts of punishing your pet.
It is critical that the punishment you are giving matches the pet’s actions and does not break your bond with him.
The Best Way To Discipline A Puppy
Puppies can be hard to train and deal with. The key is to use positive reinforcement instead of punishment. The best way to discipline a puppy is to only use the discipline as part of our recommended dog training program listed below.
This dog training program is specifically designed to boost your puppy’s intelligence which will eliminate problem behaviors. As an added benefit, it is also proven to develop a stronger loving and loyal bond between you and your dog.
Plus – there is no risk on your part because you have a 60-day money-back guarantee.
The Best Puppy Discipline Training Resource Online
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Here Are Some Valuable Tips On How To Punish A Puppy
First, the don’ts of disciplining how to discipline a puppy:
1. Do not discipline the pet physically.
Your dog is like your family, and you love them so much, and therefore you would never want to hurt him. This means even if you are boiling with anger, you should never lay your hand on him in the name of discipline.
There is never a justifiable reason to hit or intimidate your pet. If it reaches a point where you feel the method of disciplining you are using is not working, the best thing to do is hire a professional trainer or ask for help from family and friends.
Physical discipline could worsen the situation since dogs find it hard to connect the punishment to the action they committed. Instead of changing their behavior, they become fearful.
2. Never yell at your puppy.
Dogs understand the differences in your voice’s tone when it is normal and when you are shouting. Always use a calm voice and simple commands.
3. Never rub the pet’s nose in an accident.
Pets like puppies know where to relieve themselves and sometimes could mark a boundary within the house to communicate with other animals even when they know they are not supposed to. The consequences for this can be severe, but rubbing their nose in an accident could cost more, like creating an anxiety issue of breaking your bond with the pet. Rubbing their nose in a dog pee or poop accident is NOT how to discipline a puppy correctly. Instead, clean the mess up and redirect your dog to go outside.
4. Do not entertain with improper play items.
Make it clear to your pet from the beginning which items to play with and those not to avoid it being playful with anything they see. Most pets will chew or bite anything they see, including shoes. Puppy biting while playing is common. Ensure that you keep them away from the pet and teach him how to play appropriately.
How To Discipline A Puppy Correctly Include…
1. Reinforce good behavior.
When your dog has done something right, you can offer him healthy treats, making him work hard to maintain good behaviors.
2. Catch them in the act.
To successfully discipline your dog, the best way to do it is by addressing the problem immediately it has happened. At this time, the dog knows he is being reprimanded for something he recently did. Therefore, it is best to be on the lookout so that you respond quickly to the pet’s behavior.
3. Consider the health of the dog.
Puppies require hands-on training, and after proper training, they will act and behave as you expect. However, if there is a sudden change like urinating on the carpets and furniture or your dog suffers a bout of diarrhea there might be an underlying health problem. Consider taking the dog to a veterinarian for a check-up.
4. Use redirect training techniques.
When you find your dog in an act, try to stop them and show them a different direction to take. For instance, if you discover your puppy is fond of chewing shoes, firmly instruct him to stop and offer a chewing toy instead. As he chews the toy, reinforce this positive behavior with praises.
How To Discipline A Puppy Without Making Them Scared Of You
Punishment is not a suitable method of disciplining dogs. Below are steps on how to discipline a puppy without punishing them.
- Consistency – If your puppy is engaging in destructive behavior on a Monday, you should discipline it. If the same behavior repeats the following day, you do not give in to him but punish him again. This discipline has to continue until the puppy learns that his bad behavior is not encouraged, and he, therefore, needs to change. Lack of consistency will confuse the pet, making it difficult for him to learn the desired behavior.
- Prompt Reaction – Only discipline the pet when you catch him in action. If a puppy has chewed clothing, you can not come ten minutes later to punish it. It will not understand that the reprimand is for chewing the clothes. You can use a pet camera to monitor your pet’s movement and project your voice through the camera device once the pet is about to engage in unwanted behavior.
- Be Firm – A firm “No” can signal your pet that his behavior is not acceptable, but this is different from yelling in anger as this can make him afraid. When you use a raised voice tone, the dog may not understand his bad behavior is the reason. It will only startle your puppy and cause anxiety. Keep calm but firm when disciplining your pet.
- Positively Reinforce Your Pet – Rewards can work magic in the process of disciplining your puppy. Once your pet obeys your command and stops barking or any bad behavior they were doing, give them a good treat in the form of a gift or just praises.
- Timeouts – Consistently applied timeouts are effective for behaviors such as nipping, pestering other dogs, and chewing. You can achieve this by using gentle words followed by leaving the dog in an isolated area separated from other pets or people. Alternatively, you can use crates, but this should not last for long.
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