How not to spoil a dog?

Before talking about how not to spoil a dog, it is worth deciding on the terminology. “Spoiled” is most often called dogs that behave “badly” (according to the owners and others): they beg, do not obey on walks and at home, are unclean, picky in food, bark at passers-by … 

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But the problem is that this behavior is exhibited by dogs, in whose life there is a lot of chaos and little predictability. Moreover, owners often use rather harsh methods when the dog “brings” them. However, they are used incorrectly, as a result, the dog’s behavior only worsens, and a vicious circle is obtained … Is it the fault of the dogs? No. Is there anything you can do to not spoil your dog? Can!

How to train a dog not to spoil it?

There are rules, following which, you have a chance to avoid behavioral problems, that is, not to spoil the dog. These rules are not so complicated, but they require discipline – and first of all from the owner.

1. Don’t neglect socialization puppy. This will help to teach the dog to adequately respond to different, including difficult, situations. This reminds me of a German Shepherd from our walk. She was taken “for protection”, and the owners were advised not to introduce the puppy to anyone until six months old and not to take it out of the yard. Needless to say, the dog has grown cowardly-aggressive? Yes, she rushes at everyone, and with her tail between her legs: both people and dogs, but at the same time, as you might guess, she is completely unsuitable for real protection and protection.
2. Check your dog’s health and do not forget about preventive measures. Often behavioral problems (including such as uncleanliness, poor appetite and aggression) are a consequence of health problems.
3. Provide five freedoms dogs. We have already written a lot about this, so there is no point in repeating it. I will only remind you of a simple truth: a dog that lives in abnormal conditions cannot behave normally.
4. Type understandable to the dog regulations. Permissiveness makes the dog nervous and irritable, because her life at the same time turns into chaos and a nightmare. No, it has nothing to do with the so-called “dominance”. It doesn’t matter who eats first or comes through the door or whether the dog is on your bed – the main thing is that what is allowed is always allowed, and what is forbidden is always forbidden. With no exceptions. Dogs value predictability. 
5. Train dog correct behavior. Cat chasing or barking is normal species behavior, meaning the dog behaves like a dog when doing it. The issue is that such behavior is not always acceptable, especially in the city. And your task is to explain to the dog what rules you can and should live by. Most dog behavior problems are related to the behavior of the owners: they either did not explain to the dog how to behave clearly enough, or inadvertently reinforce the problem behavior (for example, they begin to affectionately persuade them not to bark at passers-by).
6. When training a dog, choose humane methods. They are just as (and for many dogs even more) effective than the mechanical or contrast method, but their main advantage is that the contact with the owner is strengthened, and the dog is not driven into distress. And distress (“bad stress”) is one of the causes of not only physiological, but also psychological problems.
7. Set mode feeding. If food is constantly in the dog’s bowl, it ceases to be a significant resource, and the pet begins to be extremely picky. The same thing happens if the dog overeats. As a result, the owners are puzzled over how to feed the pet. The universal rule: if the dog has not eaten breakfast or dinner, after 15 minutes the bowl is removed. Of course, water must be available at all times.

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Remember that a “spoiled” dog is not a “bad” dog that seeks to do “out of spite.” Most often, this is a dog that lives in inappropriate conditions or that has not been taught to behave correctly. So, fixing the situation is entirely within your power! The main thing is desire and consistency.