Why Modern Puppy Discipline Isn’t About Punishment

When many people think about discipline, the word ‘punishment’ quickly comes to mind. While these words are often used interchangeably, they don’t mean the same thing.

We at Anchor Up K9 Academy certainly do not believe they are the same when it comes to modern applications of discipline for puppies. Punishments such as yelling or smacking are completely useless when correcting behavior in puppies. They don’t understand what you are doing and what it is for.

We believe with the right approach, you can correct your pet’s behavior and build an even stronger bond in the process. You simply need to know how to discipline a puppy properly.

What Science Says about Puppy Behavior

If dogs don’t comprehend your words, then punishment is not an effective method for correcting their behavior. Being aggressive with your dog, i.e., yelling at or smacking it, will not only cause them to fear you but will also make them aggressive. Your dog will remember your aggressive behavior and associate it with you. Dogs also adopt how they are treated as their own behavior.

5 Core Rules of Positive Puppy Discipline

It is important to learn how to properly discipline a puppy in order to build trust while correcting behavior and not foster fear. You should keep the rules below in mind to achieve this.

It’s all about consistency – If you work on showing your puppy that it is not okay to jump on strangers one day and then let it slide the next day, your pup will most likely be confused. You should be consistent in the message you send and the behaviors you reinforce.
Address behaviors as they occur – the best way to correct or reinforce behaviors is as soon as they occur. Your dog won’t understand when you reprimand them for something they did hours earlier.
Reward good behavior – positive reinforcement is the best way to encourage behavior change. Give your dog a treat every time they exhibit good behavior.
Be firm – Giving your dog a firm ‘no’ should be enough to show them their behavior is not acceptable. Being aggressive i.e. yelling or smacking, will only instill fear in your dog.
Timeouts work – Yes, timeouts are an effective way to manage bad puppy behavior. Be sure to start with a verbal signal and then lead your dog to an isolated area where they can stay safely for a few minutes.

Common Mistakes Owners Make

If you want to build a strong bond with your pet, you should avoid the following common mistakes:

Using physical punishment
Staring your dog down
Holding your dog down or dragging it
Yelling

How to Handle Specific Scenarios

Biting – Offer your dog a chew toy.

Jumping – teach your dog verbal cues to show unacceptable behavior

Barking – provide your dog with more activity

Chewing – Provide your dog with a variety of toys to chew.

How to Discipline a Puppy by Age

8 – 10 weeks – provide your dog with lots of treats and praise to encourage positive behavior

10 – 16 weeks – use treats to teach simple commands. Introduce a leash at this stage.

4 – 6 months – Introduce more advanced commands

6 – 18 months – use a combination of commands and praise to reinforce positive behavior.

When to Seek Professional Help and What to Expect

It is important to seek professional help right from the beginning if you are inexperienced with training or taking care of a pet. You should also seek help if your pet exhibits aggressive behavior or is not adopting good habits from your training.

Professional services, such as those at Anchor Up K9 Academy, will help both you and your pet learn the skills you need to build a stronger relationship. We will tailor a training program to meet your needs and those of your pet. You will learn important skills such as how to tell a puppy off and get them to listen without being aggressive. In many instances, you will be required to attend training along with your pet.

How to Discipline a Puppy