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Don't just say no; teach alternative behaviour

Imagine working with someone who keeps telling you you're doing something wrong, but not showing you how to do it right
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Wags and Whiskers - Joe Griffith

Most of us have been there: our dog jumps on a guest, grabs a shoe, or starts barking out the window, and your instinct is to say, 香蕉视频直播淣o!香蕉视频直播澫憬妒悠抵辈maybe even loudly. It feels like the right thing to do in the moment. But here香蕉视频直播檚 the truth: saying 香蕉视频直播渘o香蕉视频直播 might stop the behaviour for a second, but it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 teach your dog what you want them to do instead. And that香蕉视频直播檚 where the real learning happens.

Dogs are intelligent and eager to connect with us香蕉视频直播攂ut they don香蕉视频直播檛 come pre-programmed with an understanding of what behaviours we want. Left to their own devices, they香蕉视频直播檒l jump up to say hello, chew things that are not their toys, or bark to communicate excitement. None of these actions are 香蕉视频直播渂ad香蕉视频直播 from a dog香蕉视频直播檚 perspective香蕉视频直播攖hey香蕉视频直播檙e just normal dog behaviours.

If we only correct what we don香蕉视频直播檛 like, we leave them guessing. But when we show them what we want香蕉视频直播攕uch as sitting to greet, chewing a toy instead of a shoe, or staying calm when the doorbell rings香蕉视频直播攖hey can succeed. Teaching your dog what香蕉视频直播檚 expected sets them up for success and builds confidence.

Let香蕉视频直播檚 say your dog jumps on you when you come home. You say 香蕉视频直播渘o,香蕉视频直播 and maybe they get down香蕉视频直播攂ut what happens next time? Probably the same thing. That香蕉视频直播檚 because 香蕉视频直播渘o香蕉视频直播 just interrupts the moment; it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 offer a solution. Instead, try teaching your dog to sit for greetings. Now they have a clear job to do, and you香蕉视频直播檙e reinforcing a polite behaviour rather than scolding an unwanted one.

Dogs are excellent at figuring out what gets your attention. If barking out the window makes you come over and yell, that香蕉视频直播檚 still attention香蕉视频直播攁nd it can actually reinforce the behaviour. But if being quiet earns them a treat or praise, they香蕉视频直播檒l begin to choose that instead. Show them a better option and reward it generously.

Imagine spending your day with someone who keeps pointing out what you香蕉视频直播檙e doing wrong香蕉视频直播攂ut never tells you how to do it right. That香蕉视频直播檚 how it can feel for a dog who hears 香蕉视频直播渘o香蕉视频直播 all the time. Over time, this kind of interaction can chip away at your dog香蕉视频直播檚 confidence and strain your relationship.

On the flip side, when you highlight and reward good choices香蕉视频直播攍ike sitting calmly, walking nicely on leash, or waiting at the door香蕉视频直播攜ou create a more trusting, cooperative bond. Your dog begins to look to you for guidance.

What should you do? Instead of focusing on stopping the unwanted behaviour, think about what alternative good behaviour you香蕉视频直播檇 rather have your dog do in that moment. If they bark when the doorbell rings, teach them to go to a mat and lie down. Don香蕉视频直播檛 want them pestering you during dinner? Practice a 香蕉视频直播渟ettle香蕉视频直播 cue with activities on a comfy bed nearby and reward them for staying put.

Bottom line: saying 香蕉视频直播渘o香蕉视频直播 might stop the behaviour in the moment, but teaching an alternative behaviour creates lasting change. And in the long run, that香蕉视频直播檚 what leads to a better-behaved dog香蕉视频直播攁nd a much more enjoyable life together.