How To Get The Respect Of The Dog?

The dog was the first animal to be domesticated by man. This means that the phylogenetic history of these extraordinary mammals has been built on millennia of loyalty and fidelity. However, we must not forget that  a dog is not a robot. Man’s best friend is a social animal who lives in a herd and recognizes a  leader who is willing to follow to the end of the world. If you have adopted a puppy or already have an adult one, in this article we will teach you how to gain respect from the dog.

Avoid violent negative reinforcement at all costs

Educational theories have told us for half a century that the way to foster learning is positive reinforcement. Obviously, this is an aspect of primary importance also in the education of the dog. The best way to get someone to learn is to reward what they do well.

If you yell at your dog, if you talk to him and expect him to understand complex sentences, if you hit him … The only message that will get to the poor animal is confusion, chaos, stress. In short, that there is something wrong, but he is not able to understand what and why. The worst risk, moreover, is that it misunderstands the hierarchies within the herd / family, a serious problem for coexistence with your pet.

Establish limited spaces

When a dog arrives in a new place, for example his new home, you will have to make him understand, immediately, which areas he can enter and which not. If you don’t want him to get on the sofa, bed or, even worse, the kitchen table, you have to be very determined. He will learn which places are closed to him only by virtue of a direct order, pronounced in a serious tone and without any hesitation. To get an idea, you could simply use the command “ Down! “.

At first, the dog will not understand that “Down” means “go down”, but over time, addressing him with determination and fearlessness, he will get out of your favorite chair. This is the time to reward the behavior with a  snack or a pat.

Let him come to you

If you are always the one who goes to meet him, to please him, pet him or feed him, the dog will think he has a  dominant role. Your best friend will think he is the pack leader and sole owner of the land.

Likewise, you should never reward anxious or aggressive behaviors. If your puppy learns that every time he gets nervous, you calm him down with petting, when he grows up he will associate anxiety with something positive and adopt even more obsessive behaviors.

Therefore, whenever you feed him, want to play together or cuddle him, make him come to you. Give him a treat every time he approaches and responds to your call. In addition, every time ribadirete who is really  controlling.

If you want respect, you set the rules

It is natural that your dog, after hours spent locked in the house, hurts with the desire to go out. He will do anything to go through the door and be the first to put his nose out. His instinct leads him to follow smells and other stimuli that come from beyond the door. However, you will have to decide where to go for the walk and also set the pace.

Likewise, every time you play with your pet, you need to make sure you start and finish the game. It is also very important to stop any kind of aggressive behavior from your dog in the bud  , such as barking or even biting you.

In short, if you teach your four-legged friend a few clear orders, if you show steadfastness and calm, if you take advantage of positive reinforcement to reward appropriate behaviors, you will have the most loyal and faithful partner by your side and also their respect.