Vet Blog

Training Days

July 19, 2021

Accidents (shouldn't) happen.

There are a few reasons your dog may be relieving himself in your house: an upset tummy, a medical issue, or maybe he was left home alone for too long. If you catch an accident at the moment, interrupt it by clapping your hands. Take your pup outside so he can finish and then reward him with a treat. If you come home to a mess, don't punish your pup. It will confuse him and may make him more fearful.

Jumping For Joy

Got a dog who wants to jump up to say hello to literally everyone? The best way to stop jumping is to make sure you're rewarding your dog on the ground when people approach. Have your friends throw treats on the ground and your dog will learn those good things happen down there. If he jumps up anyway, turn around and be as boring as possible until your pooch settles down.

Sitting Pretty

If your dog doesn't know "Sit!" it's never too late to learn. Wait for your dog to sit on his own and then give him a treat. Then do it again. Once you're getting seven to eight sits in a minute add the word sit. Then work up to saying it a few seconds before your pup sits. This way, you are building an association between the word and the behavior.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Try to figure out why your dog is barking and go from there. If barking gains your attention, ignore it. If your dog is trying to alert you to something, ask him to come after he barks a couple of times, so he learns to come to find you. If your dog is barking because he's scared, try to work through the fear with him. Help him learn that the thing causing his fear is not that scary by pairing its presence with treats and not forcing him to interact with it.

Chew On This

Although it's not ideal for your pooch to chew on your shoes, it's a natural behavior and one that should be encouraged. Chewing keeps your pup's mind busy and his teeth clean, and it's another way for dogs to cope with stress. Just offer a chew toy alternative and keep your high heels someplace safe.

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