Positive Behaviour Training: Get The Goodest Of Boys in 5 Simple Steps

If you’ve recently welcomed a new furry friend into your home, then congratulations! Welcome to the most infuriating, yet unbelievably rewarding, years of your life. 

After you’ve got everything you need for your new puppy, you’re going to want to start thinking about training. 

In this blog, we’ll introduce you to some simple techniques to get you on the path to having a well-behaved friend. 

But, first, what is positive behaviour training and why is it so important?

What is positive behaviour training?

Positive behaviour training is a method of coaching your dog using praise and treats to reinforce good behaviour. 

This method has been proven to get better long-term results when it comes to instilling good traits in your pup. 

Rewarding your dog with a treat, toy, or praise supports good behaviour and makes them more likely to repeat the action in the future. 

But it’s also important to understand which rewards work best for your dog. Some like treats whereas others prefer verbal praise or toys. 

So, let’s jump into some of the methods of positive reinforcement. 

Ways To Encourage Positive Behaviour in Your Dog

There are 5 super-simple ways to begin encouraging positive behaviour in your pooch. 

1. Keep commands simple 
2. Offer treats 
3. Create a bond
4. Challenge them 
5. Get the family involved 

Simple Commands

We’re talking things like: come, sit, kneel, eat, stay. These are all commands that are simple to pass on and easy for your dog to understand when used in everyday situations. 

It’s also worth nailing these commands, so the next time you bust out the grooming kit, you have processes in place to keep them calm and, more importantly, still. 

Treats

Give your dog a treat every time they react correctly to a command or situation. As we said above, this will help stick that trait in their mind and make the activity more repeatable in future. 

Spend Time Together

Take the time to get to know your dog. The key elements of this training method are respect and trust. No matter what’s happening in your life, it’s always important to make time for your pet to show them they are loved. 

Offer Challenges

Bad behaviour or dog depression is sometimes triggered by boredom. Keep your training fun. Try to stimulate them with games and new engaging experiences. 

Fetch is a classic example of a stimulating exercise for your pooch. Additionally, puzzle toys are also good for engaging their grey matter. 

Involve the Fam 

Dogs are pack animals, your family is their pack. So it’s important to involve everyone in the training. It can also be an excellent opportunity to educate your kids about doggie safety by letting them get involved too. 

Although, when it comes to young children, it’s always best to complete the training in a safe, calm and supervised environment. 

So, How Do You Deal With Bad Behaviour

Pooches are mischievous, they will get anywhere they are not supposed to. Especially if there’s something delicious or interesting waiting there. 

However, when it comes to treating bad behaviour, it’s best to ignore it.

That may sound super passive, but the best way to eradicate nipping or excessive barking is by walking away. Your dog craves attention, so when you don’t give it to them, they will stop whatever behaviour is causing you to become distant. 

Another trick to help with nipping is to act hurt. Now, no one’s asking for Leonardo Di Caprio in The Revenant, but showing your dog that biting hurts you will make them stop.

Conclusion

Whether you’ve just had a new pup or you’ve adopted a furry friend, positive behaviour training is the best way to improve your relationship from the start, as well as helping set healthy boundaries. 

Give it a try and before you know it you’ll be dealing with the goodest of boys.