Many adult problem behaviours have their origins in having been inadvertently rewarded by owners when their dogs were puppies. Obviously it is better, and easier, not to "teach" your puppy the "wrong" behaviours in the first instance rather than to try and correct and retrain the dog in later life.
Firstly, how do you inadvertently reward behaviours? Rewards for a dog generally fall into 3 categories. The first and most obvious is food; second are games or toys; and, finally and probably as important as food, is your attention. Dogs are social animals and, therefore, the attention you give is very rewarding. How and when you give attention will "train" the puppy to continue to give behaviours which trigger this reward.
Attention is made up of 3 parts: touch (petting, stroking etc), tone of voice and, most importantly as far as the dog is concerned, eye contact.
3 comments:
I would like to leave some information I found about nutrition. I find it's difficult to get the balance right sometimes, but it's important. I think it is easy to get overwhelmed with diets, and it is a good idea to sit down and make a list of requirements for your animal companion, but also yourself, how much time do you have? Is it easy to get the ingredients locally, can I order a prepared food locally or on line. Do your research and start simple, and as that becomes natural then add in more steps, more variation, more supplements and find what works best for everyone concerned. In the wild dogs and cats would not have a gourmet menu every meal. It is better to find one good organic food source for example for meat, and feed that than switch around with less quality meats for the sake of variety. So keep it simple, do it a step at a time, compromise things that do not matter so much, but not the things that do like additives and hormones, in whatever diet you choose.
Why Exercise Your Dog?
Due to the hectic lives many people lead today, their pets spend long hours waiting at home, sleeping and eating themselves into obesity. Studies suggest that almost half of all dogs in the US are overweight. This extra fat puts them at greater risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, joint and skeletal disorders, and early death.
With more and more people becoming health conscious, it’s no secret that exercise does a body good – and that goes for dogs too. Regular activity tones muscles, builds strong bones, improves circulation, and lifts spirits by increasing ‘feel good’ chemical levels in the body. Fit dogs, just like fit humans, feel better, sleep better, and have more energy, as well as encounter fewer health and behavioral problems. This not only translates into happier people and pets but fewer medical expenses.
JUST PUTTING THIS ON THE FROM PAGE
Why Exercise Your Dog?
Due to the hectic lives many people lead today, their pets spend long hours waiting at home, sleeping and eating themselves into obesity. Studies suggest that almost half of all dogs in the US are overweight. This extra fat puts them at greater risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, joint and skeletal disorders, and early death.
With more and more people becoming health conscious, it’s no secret that exercise does a body good – and that goes for dogs too. Regular activity tones muscles, builds strong bones, improves circulation, and lifts spirits by increasing ‘feel good’ chemical levels in the body. Fit dogs, just like fit humans, feel better, sleep better, and have more energy, as well as encounter fewer health and behavioral problems. This not only translates into happier people and pets but fewer medical expenses.
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