Has your adult dog regressed to its terrible two’s?
Behavior we accept in puppies such as destructive chewing, potty training accidents and separation anxiety become serious problems when our adolescence or adult dog continues or re-starts such behavior.
Getting Your Attention
Your adult dog’s bad behavior could be boredom, depressed, loneliness or just an attempt to get your attention. Before your attention turns to hostile discipline or you consider a permanent separation from your best animal friend, realize that just like humans our pets suffer from emotional problems too.
In his own way, your dog is telling you he needs help. Instead of getting angry, use these 10 tips to turn your furry terror into the loving pet he really is.
10 Professional Trainer Tips for Troubled Adult Dogs
1. Manage Your Dog’s Energy
Energy isn’t something you can discipline out of your dog. A healthy adult dog needs exercise and things to occupy his time and attention. Leaving him at home all day long with nothing to do is a recipe for disaster. Read how a Kong food puzzle can add hours of enjoyment to your pet’s day.
2. Control Your Dog’s Impulses
You may think of your dog as a furry little human but his emotions are far more reactive than reasoned. Teaching your adult dog to control his sudden urges can be as simple as teaching him commands such as stay and wait.
Dash learns how to “stay” in our West Seattle adult dog obedience class.
3. Teach the Basic Skills
Your dog wants to be good but if you don’t teach him how, he will never understand what good means. Living with humans can get confusing so keep it simple by teaching the minimum commands: sit, down, stand, stay, walking on-leash and polite greetings.
4. Reward Good Behaviors
He may not act like he knows what you are sayings but add a cookie to the conversation and he will totally “get” you. Rewarding good behavior with a healthy doggy treat simply ensures more good behavior.
5. Negatively Reward Bad Behaviors
Our pet’s just can’t connect the dots between their action of jumping on us and getting a violent smack. Don’t make that mistake. Instead, negatively reward bad behavior by not giving your dog the intent of his actions. He’s looking for attention when he jumps up so turn and move away.
6. Build Confidence
Socialize your adult dog to avoid the problems associated with shyness, fear and loneliness. Dog training classes, the park and neighborhood walks are all opportunities to teach your dog how to interact with other people and dogs.
7. Make Your Dog Earn His Money $$$
You work for your money to so that you can live in a nice house, drive a nice car, eat good food and wear fancy clothes. Make your dog do the same. Don’t let your dog become a spoiled, rotten brat by giving him everything for free! Make him earn your attention, affection and his kibble through his actions. You want your dog working for you, not you working for him!
8. Get Regular Checkups
Not all problems are lack of or improper training. Regular visits to your dog’s veterinarian will uncover medical problems that are masking themselves as bad behavior.
9. Form a Strong Bond
He’s not called man’s (or woman’s) best friend for no reason. Spend quality time with your pet and you will be amazed how he rewards you. Things as simple as petting, brushing and throwing a ball for your dog will bring years of unconditional love.
10. Learn Proper Techniques
Would you take driving, swimming or river rafting lessons from someone who never drove, swam or rafted? Don’t confuse your dog and frustrate yourself further by using training techniques that don’t work.
An adult dog training class is fun for pets and handlers. If you don’t have the time to do the training, we’ll do it for you with private training sessions that are easy and inexpensive.
Problem adult dogs can be frustrating, overwhelming and potentially dangerous. Read more about our adult dog basic and advanced classes and our other dog training options.
The Service Dog Academy uses only the most advanced and humane dog training methods that help your dog to become service oriented instead of destructive oriented.
We use animal learning theory just like Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian, animal behaviorist, writer and renown dog trainer as well as other advanced behavioral techniques.
