Understanding How Bad Dog Habits Are Formed
It's often believed that owners do not intentionally reinforce their dogs' bad behaviors, but this doesn't mean they aren't. Sometimes, it's simply because the owners aren't aware that they are inadvertently reinforcing these behaviors. For instance, if a dog is known to steal food, but the owner doesn't secure their food properly; or if the dog is petted on the head when it jumps up to greet the owner, leading it to also leap towards visiting elders, causing them to feel startled. It's because the owner's communication about what is acceptable and what isn't is unclear that the dog struggles to discern the boundaries. If the dog barks persistently because it wants to go to the bathroom, and the owner rushes it out immediately, the dog will learn to bark every time it needs to go, thinking that this behavior is acceptable. Instead, the owner should wait until the dog is calm before taking it out, ensuring it understands that even the desire to go to the bathroom doesn't justify constant barking.
A dog cannot be expected to behave well without adequate training, unless it is naturally wellbehaved. Dogs do not retain training once and for all; they need to be repeatedly trained in their daily lives to make these behaviors a habit. Regular training keeps their minds engaged and allows them to review what they've learned when needed, ensuring good behavior. For example, if a dog is not regularly exercised, it may resort to unnecessary barking or chewing on furniture due to boredom. This is because the lack of physical activity leads to underused muscles, nerves, and brains, causing it to exhibit abnormal behaviors. Therefore, proper training methods are crucial for a dog's development.
Moreover, clear and consistent rules are essential during the training process. If a dog is given a treat for jumping on the table one day but scolded the next, or allowed on the sofa one day but forbidden the next, it becomes confusing and the dog may not understand the owner's expectations. Rules help the dog understand the boundaries clearly and know what is expected of it. If rules are set but not consistently enforced, they are as good as nonexistent. This doesn't mean forcing the dog to follow rules, but rather ensuring that external influences don't disrupt the rule's execution. For instance, if someone comes over and tries to pick up the dog on the sofa, the owner should intervene promptly to reinforce the rule that the dog is not allowed on the sofa.
Of course, during training, owners should not solely focus on correcting bad behaviors but also acknowledge and reward good behavior. If a dog only receives attention for misbehaving, it may learn that bad behavior is the way to get noticed, leading to more deliberate mischievous acts. Therefore, when a dog behaves well, it's important for owners to recognize and reward this positively. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to consult an online veterinary expert.
