Learning the basics of good manners makes life with a dog happier and easier for everyone in the family. But success in training requires the right knowledge of what to do. It is difficult for new owners to know how to train because there are so many myths and misconceptions circulating in the digital world. Unfortunately, misinformation can lead to behavioral problems. We have therefore listed five of the most common misconceptions here.
Myth 1:A puppy must be at least six months old to be trained. Fact:A puppy begins to learn the moment it comes into the family and it's essential that owners take every opportunity to teach. Don't let your puppy develop problem behaviors because he won't outgrow it. Be patient and consistent.
Myth 2:Putting a dog in a crate is mean. Fact:Dogs are cavemen who instinctively seek a safe, quiet place when they are tired or stressed. That's what the crate is for – as long as it's not used for punishment, which undermines its usefulness as a safe space.
Myth 3:If you train with food, your dog will not obey without. Fact:Behaviors rewarded with food and praise are more likely to be repeated by the dog. Find out what motivates your dog and use it as a tool to get him used to training.
Myth 4:My dog knows he's done something wrong because he looks guilty.
Fact:That "guilty" look is a newly learned response. Dogs read our angry faces or angry body language and respond to appease us. We interpret it as guilt, but they have no idea they did something wrong.
Myth 5:You can't train an older dog
Fact:Dogs continue to learn throughout their lives. The biggest problem with older dogs is helping them unlearn unwanted behaviors. With any dog at any age, patience and consistency are key.
