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Supreme Being
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Last Login: 7/27/2010 3:55:38 PM
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| What are some common dog training mistakes that weaken your position as the pack leader for a Yorkshire Terrier?
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Supreme Being
Group: Experienced Dog Owner
Last Login: 8/5/2011 10:39:15 PM
Posts: 3,705,
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Be a good pack leader for a Yorkshire Terrier - avoid these common training errors.
1. Inconsistency
Establish the House Rules and stand by them. Don’t change the rules based on your mood and don’t ignore problem behaviors (such as jumping on people, aggression or excessive barking) thinking that he’ll outgrow it.
2. Punishing Due to Anger
Don’t rub your dog’s face in his mess, punish him after he’s come when you called him or grab his collar harshly. Each weakens your standing as the pack leader.
- Rubbing his face in his mess does not show him that you don’t want him to eliminate indoors; it encourages him to hide his messes and to avoid going in front of you. Instead reward him for appropriate elimination outside.
- Punishing him when he’s come when called will only discourage him from coming when called in the future. (Plus he’s getting punished for doing what you told him to.)
- Grabbing his collar harshly makes him more likely to bite in the future when his collar is grabbed, including if he gets out and a neighbor is trying to catch and return him.
Remember that dog training problems are usually owner problems – teach him what he should be doing instead of becoming angry when he does something wrong.
3. Expecting Too Much Too Soon
Train in easy to digest steps – keep things simple and give him a chance to learn at his own pace.
4. Rewarding Bad Behavior
Attention is a reward. Be wary of reinforcing unwanted emotional states (anxiety) or behaviors (jumping on people). Dogs are experts at picking up on subtle clues, especially body language. Avoid reinforcing the behaviors you dislike.
5. Providing Too Little Exercise
Dogs need daily exercise. The less exercise he gets, the more problems you’ll have with him.
6. Providing Free Rewards
Follow a No Free Lunch policy – make him do something good before he is rewarded. This establishes you as the pack leader and prevents him from becoming spoiled.
Note: calm behavior you like can be rewarded as doing something good.
7. Inadequate Training
Train him for short periods of time (5-10 minutes) several times a week. Make a consistent effort – teach him what you want him to know.
8. Giving Too Much Freedom Too Soon
When introducing a new puppy or dog to your house, make him earn access to the house a little bit at a time. Proper house breaking requires you to set up an area where he can’t cause trouble when he’s not supervised and to supervise him any time he’s out of that area.
He can’t eliminate in the living room unless he’s allowed in there. He can’t chew up your shoes if he doesn’t have access to them.
9. Forgetting to Have Fun
Dog training can be frustrating for dog and owner alike. In the worst case scenario you’re getting nowhere – he’s confused and you’re angry. When frustrations like this come up, stop what you’re doing and try again later.
If one of you is having a bad day, train tomorrow. The process should be fun, not work.
10. Doing Things You’re Not Comfortable With
Just as with any field, there’s plenty of bad advice and clueless trainers. Don’t go along with what you read in a magazine, see on TV or hear from a trainer if you’re not comfortable with it.
For more dog training tips and info, sign up for our Free Online Training
Check out our Trivia and Quizzes
Jonathan Dakins
Online Dog Training
Dog Academy Store
Email: jon@dogacademy.com
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