You might feel better by yelling at the dog or doing something to stop that behavior that you dislike, but stopping a behavior does not show what you want your learner to do instead,” explains professional dog trainer and author Melissa McCue-McGrath.
Working with them also builds your bond so you and your dog will become a team working toward the same calm household.
Like all mammals, dogs are always looking for more of the things they enjoy, like tasty food and attention from their people, notes certified behavior consultant Mikkel Becker, lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets.
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Like all mammals, dogs are always looking for more of the things they enjoy, like tasty food and attention from their people, notes certified behavior consultant Mikkel Becker, lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets.
Moving at their pace, setting them up for success and making the reward more enticing than the undesirable behavior are all important.
First, make sure your home environment isn’t accidentally reinforcing your dog’s problematic behaviors.
For example, putting the trash can where they can’t get to it or using one that locks will help them avoid being tempted to go through the trash.