While most pet parents get a new puppy with the idea that dogs can help with anxiety, most of them do not realize that working with a dog to train it is not an easy feat. In fact, several times, when the puppy does not get it, you may get really frustrated. The dog you got home to help you relax will be the reason for your high cortisol levels.
Here are a few tips that will help you calm your nerves and frustration.
1. Understand That You are Dealing with a Puppy:
While it is frustrating, it is important to understand that she is a small puppy, new to this world and learning everything from your training. It is like dealing with a baby who depends on you for everything. Seeing them as a kid may help you understand their erratic behavior and calm them down.
2. Watch Training Videos:
Most owners are frustrated because they are doing it wrong. Several times people do not really know how to teach a puppy to behave. They are animals and do not understand heavy words; some tactics need to be followed to train them. Watch puppy training videos easily available on YouTube to learn more about effectively training the dog. Learning about the dog's breed from we love doodles can help you get a deeper understanding of their behavior.
4. Exercise the Puppy:
Most bad behavior of dogs is associated with excessive stored energy that they need to burn. If that does not happen, they may suddenly seem over-excited and behave badly. Taking them for exercise and tiring them thoroughly will ensure that you have a well0behaved puppy at home.
4. Celebrate Small Victories:
Asking your dog to sit and him understanding the command is a great victory. You may feel it is just a small thing, but honestly, it is not. This means your training is working. Celebrate such small victories and take one step at a time to reach your goal.
5. Manage Your Expectations:
Well, remember Rome was not built in a day. Your puppy is not going to learn everything immediately. This is a process that, if you could follow patiently, will yield long-term results.
6. Talk About Your Frustrations:
Sometimes we feel guilty talking about our frustrations because we feel that people might judge us if we speak out about how a puppy is making our lives difficult. It is natural to feel frustrated, and sharing this will only help you get it out of your mind and put you at ease.
7. Spend Time with Other Pet Owners:
Meeting other pet owners can be fruitful, as they can share their frustration stories and help you deal with yours. Also, they will help you understand how to handle the puppy, which can help train your dog.
8. Start Training Early:
Most puppy behavioral problems can be solved at an early age. You just need to train them to understand what is accepted in your house and what is not. Training is also mentally exhausting for your fur animals, which means they will get tired, and their pent-up energy will burn. You have to be consistent with your efforts, though. Your puppy is young and may not learn things in a day. Training them daily will help them behave consistently when you say commands. The result would be that you will get a trained and tired puppy who will not be over-excited, and that will make it easy for you to handle.
9. Punishment is Not a Solution:
Frustrated new owners at times start punishing their puppy for bad behavior. While punishment can work for human babies, puppies function differently. All they want to do is please you; hence if you punish them harshly, they may become psychologically more disturbed. This may also make them anxious, as the puppy understands you are unhappy and may get rid of it. You can be strict with the puppy and give small time-outs by ignoring it, but do not boil down to giving it punishment. Remember, positive reinforcement takes time, but it always works.
10. Take the Help of a Trainer:
A few pet parents find it hard to train their puppies and therefore make a lot of mistakes. If your puppy cannot follow your commands, better spend some dollars to get a professional trainer's help. It may seem expensive now but think about the years to come where you will have a perfectly behaved dog around you. Trainers are professionals who understand dog temperaments easily, hence let the experts do their job.
Do not make your life entirely about the dog. Remember, the dog needs to be a part of your life and not engulf your life. Crate train your puppy to make sure that you have your own personal time when needed. Spending time apart is the key to feel your love towards your puppy when he is away.
12. Not Every Day is Same:
Sometimes one bad day frustrates owners so much that they feel they have made a mistake by adopting the dog. Well, remember, not every day is alike around your dog. Most days, you will find a cheerful dog around you, but there are days when the puppy may not be easy to handle. This phase is only going to last for a few months as dogs grow really fast. You may even miss this phase of the dog's life in the future and hence just enjoy the moment and take it one day at a time.
We may not understand, but at times when your puppy is unwell, he may start behaving in an irritated manner. If the behavior continues, getting the puppy checked by a vet can help figure out what exactly the issue is.
While the process may frustrate you but remember, this is only a phase that will pass. If you successfully train your puppy well, she will turn out to be a well-mannered dog who will help you stay calm and happy like you always imagined. RELATED POST:
