Dog trainer discusses three frequent errors to steer clear of during your puppy's instructional period, including a mistake that even trainers have been known to commit themselves
Professional dog trainer Amelia Steele, known as Amelia the Dog Trainer on Instagram, has identified common mistakes that puppy parents often make during training. In her advice, she emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity, socialization, and a holistic approach to training.
One of the mistakes that Amelia Steele highlights is yelping or saying "ouch" when the puppy bites. This reaction can unintentionally reinforce the biting behavior or make the puppy think it’s a play invitation rather than a deterrent. Instead, she suggests switching back and forth between play and food during training, which can help teach puppies to regulate their nervous system.
Another important point that Amelia mentions is that many owners view behaviors in isolation rather than understanding that each part of a dog's life affects their overall behavior. This holistic perspective is key to successful training.
Puppies learn best when training sessions are short, with bursts throughout the day, lasting one to two minutes at a time. Longer training sessions can build frustration between the puppy and owner. In addition to teaching sit, stay, and other commands, socialization is a priority for puppies during training. It's crucial for a puppy to become a confident and friendly adult dog.
Amelia Steele uses both food and play during training to help teach puppies to regulate their nervous system. However, using only food for training may not be the most effective method. The KONG Natural Teething Toy, a durable and mentally stimulating toy for puppies, serves as a slow feeder and a toy, particularly useful for teething pups who chew frequently.
No pet parent is perfect, and even experienced trainers can make mistakes. It's never too late to change the way you train your puppy. For more tips on socializing a puppy, an article titled "I'm a dog behaviorist and these are my 6 tips for socializing a puppy" might be useful.
Putting in effort for socialization now will yield benefits in the long term. Remember, the saying 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' is not true, and puppies are more flexible than senior dogs. So, take Amelia Steele's advice and start training your puppy today!
- Amelia Steele advises against yelping or saying "ouch" when a puppy bites during training, as it can reinforce or mislead the biting behavior.
- Amelia Steele encourages puppy parents to consider a holistic approach to training, recognizing that all aspects of a dog's life influence its overall behavior.
- Puppies learn best through short, frequent training sessions, which help prevent frustration between the puppy and the owner.
- Socialization is crucial during puppy training to help create a confident and friendly adult dog.
- In addition to using food for training, Amelia Steele incorporates toys like the KONG Natural Teething Toy to stimulate a teething puppy while acting as a slow feeder.
- Experienced trainers can still make mistakes, but it's never too late to improve the training methods used for a puppy, and an article titled "I'm a dog behaviorist and these are my 6 tips for socializing a puppy" might provide helpful insights.
