Courtesy of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society 

 Our pet dogs are valued family members who share in all the joys and achievements of a household. Training a dog new to a home can be highly rewarding, but various pitfalls can slow progress and cause behavioral issues. Pet owners can learn what problems might occur and why, and then adjust their approach to help make the training process smoother. 

Problem #1: Inconsistency.

When everyone in the family wants to help train the new pet, it can cause issues. Different commands or allowed behaviors might confuse the dog, making it important for everyone to use the same commands and enforce the same rules consistently. For example, it’s not okay for the dog to jump on the furniture if the rule is no furniture lounging. 

Problem #2: Poor reward timing.

Rewarding dogs for good behavior is crucial for positive reinforcement training, but rewarding or correcting a pet even a few seconds late can cause the dog to miss the connection between the feedback and the action. For optimal results, rewards or corrections should be delivered within one to two seconds of the desired behavior. Using clicker training helps trainers communicate immediately with the dog when it performs correctly. Withholding the click shows the dog that their behavior is not appreciated, without using punishment.  

Problem #3: Overusing punishment.

Positive reinforcement is the best method for training a dog, and most professional trainers rely on it. Still, it can be hard to avoid yelling or using harsh tools to stop a behavior when other methods are slow to take effect. However, hitting an animal, crying excessively, or using shock collars can create fear or aggression. Sometimes, these tactics may even come close to animal abuse. Dogs can sense a human’s energy level and confidence, along with negative energy, which can be discouraging and negatively impact motivation. Taking a break from training until it feels more enjoyable and positive may help reduce stress and negative behaviors for both the dog and the handler. 

Problem #4: Unclear commands.

Everyone must use the same commands when training a dog. Saying “come here” one day and “get over here” another can be confusing and slow down learning. Dogs may respond better to visual cues along with verbal ones, so people can also use hand gestures when giving commands. 

Problem #5: Inconsistent results.

Many people have dogs that behave excellently at home but poorly at the dog park or elsewhere. A dog may not realize that commands and behavior expectations apply everywhere. That’s why it is necessary to practice in different environments and introduce distractions only gradually. It’s also important to know that a bored dog may show restlessness or destructive behavior and won’t be able to focus during training. 

Meeting the dog’s physical needs first can make training easier afterward. If training isn’t going as planned, talk to your veterinarian and get help from a professional trainer. 
The Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society consists of 75 small animal hospitals and 200 practitioners in Erie and Niagara counties. Learn more at www.nfveterinarysociety.org.