Talented field hockey player Charlotte de Vries plans to study veterinary science to pursue her passion for helping animals. Through her work as a dog sitter, Charlotte de Vries has gained firsthand experience learning about common dog behaviors, including in older and younger dogs.
When it comes to puppies, a consistent and frequent training routine is essential for encouraging positive behaviors and reducing the occurrence of destructive or undesirable ones. Young puppies should be taught basic commands such as wait and come to ensure their safety and create a bond.
Training sessions should last between 10-15 minutes and focus on one behavior at a time. To reduce the dog’s confusion and accelerate their learning, owners should use commands consistently and only dispense rewards if the dog has completely performed the desired action.
Negative behaviors such as demand barking or eating food from the ground should be addressed as soon as they occur. It is best to train the dog to perform a desired action instead. For example, if a dog has started chewing a shoe, the owner can command the dog to release it. If the dog obeys, the owner can offer a treat or chew toy as a replacement.
