Five typical mistakes in puppy training and how to avoid them
Puppies are small, clumsy, and incredibly cute. It's not always easy to be as strict with their training as you are with adult dogs. However, clear boundaries from the very beginning are extremely important. Five tips for puppy training.
1. Anthropomorphizing the puppy
For many people today, dogs are part of the family. They are not simply "just" farm dogs to be cared for, but rather a part of the community and cherished family members. There's nothing wrong with that – dogs, like humans, enjoy the well-established coexistence that has developed over millennia of evolution.
However, things become difficult when a person begins to see their loyal companion more as a human than as an animal. For just as a person cannot transform into a dog, a dog cannot become a person.
However, when the puppy moves into its new home and has the entire family wrapped around its paw within seconds, it's usually all over. Its big, round eyes, bright meows, and wobbly toddling inevitably remind us of a toddler.
We quickly tend to project human feelings and behaviors onto puppies. Without giving it much thought, we automatically believe that the puppy thinks, feels, and assesses situations similarly to us humans. We anthropomorphize it.
Despite all the love and affection we may have for them, dogs remain animals. They perceive their environment differently from humans, do not act rationally, and do not make decisions with a specific plan in mind. They do not pursue human goals and do not possess human values.
However, if we expect a dog to exhibit human behavior patterns and these expectations are not met, massive communication problems arise between the human and the animal. "The dog is stubborn," people say, or "The dog doesn't listen, he has a mind of his own!" In reality, however, stubbornness is a deeply human behavior—it doesn't exist in dogs.
The trend towards anthropomorphization has also been recognized in breeding. Today, various dog breeds are specifically bred to resemble humans, characterized by a round skull, short snout, high forehead, and large, forward-facing eyes. This misguided love for animals has consequences: breeds with exaggerated features, such as the Pug and the French Bulldog, often suffer from breathing difficulties due to their short snouts, frequently experience health problems, and have a shorter life expectancy.
Anyone who wants to raise a puppy in a species-appropriate manner should be aware of this issue and constantly re-evaluate their own actions and expectations of the animal. And: When choosing a puppy, do not opt for a breed with health problems resulting from selective breeding!
2. Enforcing rules too late
Puppies are naturally cute; you just can't stay mad at them! That's why there's a high risk of letting them get away with too much. The puppy nips your hand? Oh, those little teeth don't hurt! He makes himself comfortable next to you on the couch? No problem, the little guy hardly takes up any space...
What seems harmless in puppyhood can become a problem for both the dog and its owner as they age. If a fully grown dog is suddenly no longer allowed to jump on its favorite spot in the corner of the sofa, is no longer supposed to jump on people, and receives a harsh reprimand for playfully nipping at hands, it will react with bewildered surprise. What did it do wrong?
The answer: Actually, nothing at all. The culprits are training mistakes that have crept in over time – and once ingrained, these are very difficult to reverse. So do yourself and your puppy a favor and start establishing clear rules right from the beginning!
3. Be inconsistent
However, even the best rules and training intentions are useless if they are not clearly enforced. Dogs depend on their owners' consistent actions to understand and follow certain rules.
If a puppy is allowed to sleep in the bed one night and not the next, it learns not to take this rule seriously. Even one exception can make the little one doubt it.
This also includes the whole family working together. If one family member allows the dog to jump on the sofa and another forbids it, this leads to confusion.
Only when the puppy knows what is expected of it can it learn to behave correctly. Therefore, always remain consistent – this has nothing to do with harshness, but rather makes living together easier for both human and dog.
4. Sending false signals
Dogs communicate primarily through body language and facial expressions. This should always be kept in mind – especially when it comes to training or teaching new commands. Too many words, like "Kalle, will you please sit down now?", won't do much for a puppy. A clear "Sit," however, is much more effective. Short commands and clear body signals are therefore essential in dog training.
Dogs register the signals of our body language much faster than we do with words. It is therefore essential that our voice and body language convey the same message. If the body language doesn't match the command, the dog won't understand what to do.
A typical example: The dog dawdles during a walk, curiously exploring the many smells in the meadow. Meanwhile, the owner waits impatiently at the far end of the meadow, waving the leash and stamping his foot angrily. He calls out, "Here!" The dog probably won't know what to do. The voice says, "Come." The body language says, "I'm angry. Stay away from me!" Result: The dog probably won't come running immediately.
5. Not challenging the dog properly
Of course, you want only the best for your new puppy. But if you want too much all at once, that's not necessarily always the best thing for the dog.
Taking a puppy everywhere during its first few weeks, immediately sending it out on puppy walks, and constantly exposing it to new environmental stimuli will overwhelm it. Short walks and play sessions, followed by quiet breaks for cuddling and sleeping, are perfectly sufficient for a young dog.
What dogs want to tell us with their eyes
On the other hand, under-stimulation can also become a problem. Anyone who thinks that a morning walk and a short evening stroll are enough to tire out a dog in the long run is sorely mistaken.
This becomes particularly problematic with dog breeds that are primarily acquired for their appearance but are actually working, hunting, or herding dogs. Border Collies, for example, are exceptionally intelligent herding dogs that require a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation. They quickly become bored and unstimulated. As a result, they start getting into mischief, chewing on furniture, and becoming nervous.
Our recommendation: Research dog breeds thoroughly before getting a puppy, and be aware of their specific needs and requirements. A poodle needs different activities than a golden retriever.