You've done the training. You've tried all the little tips and tricks provided by family, friends, neighbours and other dog owners. But your dog is still acting up!
Consider the amount of exercise your dog gets, as well as the way you train them. Do you go for on-leash walks around the neighbourhood (where your dog still pulls most of the time while you plead with them to "heel"), and you do your training sessions for 30 mins a few times a week, just the way you do at obedience class? Could it be that this approach to exercise and training is just completely ineffective?
Try to imagine life from your dog's point of view. He's young, boisterous and inquisitive, and his only chance most days to explore the world and expend his boundless energy is a short, restrictive walk on a leash. He gets to go out into the backyard several times a day, too, but he's been there done that, and it's no more interesting than a fish tank to him now. He can play fetch all day, so retrieving the ball a few times over a 10 minute period simply isn't satisfying. So, he finds new ways to entertain himself everyday, since he's not being provided with ample opportunities to exert himself either physically or mentally. He chews on the furniture, knocks over plants and rips them apart. He jumps up on everyone any opportunity he gets, sometimes mouthing at clothing and nipping skin. He sings, howls, bays and barks to pass the time when nobody's home, simply because he is so bored.
So, what kind of exercise and training is appropriate? Ideally, your dog should get 60 minutes of vigorous physical exercise everyday. This can be in the form of long, brisk walks (with a weighted backpack for added physical challenge for higher-energy dogs), play sessions with other dogs, bike-riding, hikes, swimming, running on a long-line at the park, playing fetch and tug (with obedience and tricks mixed in), or engaging in dog sports such as agility, obedience or flyball. What about mental stimulation? Taking your dog somewhere new indulges their need to explore, and can provide ample opportunities for physical exercise as well. You should also engage your dog's mind through brief but frequent training sessions throughout the day (5 mins or less, 5 or more times a day), using either food, toys or life rewards to reinforce behaviour you want to see more of. Make training a part of your lifestyle, so your dog learns that this is simply an everyday way of living, rather than seeing training as separate activity you do for 15-30 mins a day. Don't let your dog learn the difference between a training session and real life, otherwise they will only behave the way you'd like them to during those brief sessions, and at all other times continue the misbehaviour that drives you nuts! As well as brief training sessions incorporated into everyday life, providing food puzzles, quick nose-work games, and regularly teaching your dog new tricks and obedience behaviours will keep them engaged and learning while keeping them out of trouble.
When your dog's needs for physical exercise and mental stimulation are satisfied, their response to training becomes much more pronounced. Your dog stops looking for ways to entertain themselves, and is more receptive to the lessons you are trying to teach them. So if you feel like you've "tried everything", try again, and make regular exercise, mentally stimulating games and obedience training part of your everyday routine!
Consider the amount of exercise your dog gets, as well as the way you train them. Do you go for on-leash walks around the neighbourhood (where your dog still pulls most of the time while you plead with them to "heel"), and you do your training sessions for 30 mins a few times a week, just the way you do at obedience class? Could it be that this approach to exercise and training is just completely ineffective?
Try to imagine life from your dog's point of view. He's young, boisterous and inquisitive, and his only chance most days to explore the world and expend his boundless energy is a short, restrictive walk on a leash. He gets to go out into the backyard several times a day, too, but he's been there done that, and it's no more interesting than a fish tank to him now. He can play fetch all day, so retrieving the ball a few times over a 10 minute period simply isn't satisfying. So, he finds new ways to entertain himself everyday, since he's not being provided with ample opportunities to exert himself either physically or mentally. He chews on the furniture, knocks over plants and rips them apart. He jumps up on everyone any opportunity he gets, sometimes mouthing at clothing and nipping skin. He sings, howls, bays and barks to pass the time when nobody's home, simply because he is so bored.
So, what kind of exercise and training is appropriate? Ideally, your dog should get 60 minutes of vigorous physical exercise everyday. This can be in the form of long, brisk walks (with a weighted backpack for added physical challenge for higher-energy dogs), play sessions with other dogs, bike-riding, hikes, swimming, running on a long-line at the park, playing fetch and tug (with obedience and tricks mixed in), or engaging in dog sports such as agility, obedience or flyball. What about mental stimulation? Taking your dog somewhere new indulges their need to explore, and can provide ample opportunities for physical exercise as well. You should also engage your dog's mind through brief but frequent training sessions throughout the day (5 mins or less, 5 or more times a day), using either food, toys or life rewards to reinforce behaviour you want to see more of. Make training a part of your lifestyle, so your dog learns that this is simply an everyday way of living, rather than seeing training as separate activity you do for 15-30 mins a day. Don't let your dog learn the difference between a training session and real life, otherwise they will only behave the way you'd like them to during those brief sessions, and at all other times continue the misbehaviour that drives you nuts! As well as brief training sessions incorporated into everyday life, providing food puzzles, quick nose-work games, and regularly teaching your dog new tricks and obedience behaviours will keep them engaged and learning while keeping them out of trouble.
When your dog's needs for physical exercise and mental stimulation are satisfied, their response to training becomes much more pronounced. Your dog stops looking for ways to entertain themselves, and is more receptive to the lessons you are trying to teach them. So if you feel like you've "tried everything", try again, and make regular exercise, mentally stimulating games and obedience training part of your everyday routine!