Battling Common Dog Training Problems

By Stanley Morse

Training a dog is one of the biggest let downs in owning a dog. Yes you could hand it off to a professional but this may entail big costs. Also, training your own dog is much better because this will give you a chance to develop a bond and strengthen your relationship. But, most of the time, when it’s time for you to train your dog, you will most likely encounter some dog training problems.

Knowing that you will be encountering these dog training problems will most likely be a deterrent to any owner to undergo the program. But, being reluctant with this endeavor can only lead to an ill-mannered dog in the future which could lead you to detest it. So if you really want to have a dog you can truly love, then it’s essential that you understand these dog training problems and nip it in the bud before it even happens.

First, many dog owners encounter problems in dog training not only with their dog but also with themselves. You have to mentally prepare yourself for the task at hand, many dog training programs ended abruptly or took a longer time because the dog owner or trainer would get frustrated and end the program right in the middle of it. Some would resume the program but only after a while and all the progress beforehand were lost.

Next, a dog can be very stubborn and is difficult to work with. This is usually experienced when you are training a dog breed that is known to be very hyper. This is also evident when training older dogs. Dog are creatures of habit, so older dogs may have already set their ways and will have difficulty in breaking the habits they have already established. Persistence is the key here. By using a reward system, a dog may change his habits knowing that they will be able to get treats if they follow you or their trainer. For hyper dogs, train them frequently but in short period of times. They don’t have long attention spans so it is integral that you can make a game out of their training program and keep it sweet and short.

Another dog training problem is when a dog is overly aggressive. The key here is understanding the signs that show that a dog is feeling agitated or threatened. Dogs tend to be aggressive only when they feel their space is being invaded. Some signs include snarling, showing of teeth, hair raised, a posture that seems it will be lounging for you and more. When you see these signs, give the dog ample space and don’t rush in to its space. Talk in a low friendly voice. Don’t force the situation.

These are just some of the most common dog training problems encountered even by professionals. And the best way for you not to experience them is to avoid them from ever happening. If you haven’t had any experience with aggressive dogs especially the older ones, don’t attempt to train them. The key here is to first develop trust between the two of you.

Stan enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as Dog Training Problems. Visit http://olderdogtraining.org for more details.