03/12/2025
Things that will not improve your dogโs behavior:
๐๐ป being a stronger alpha
๐๐ป Making your dog wait for you to go through doors first
๐๐ป Taking your dogโs stuff away to prove you can
๐๐ป Using collar corrections
๐๐ป Physically pushing and pulling on your dog to move them or get them into sits/downs
๐๐ป Messing with your dog while they eat
๐๐ป Thinking that your dog is spiteful or trying to โget backโ at you
๐๐ป Forcing your dog off of furniture to prove its โyoursโ
๐๐ป Forcing your dog to deal with something even if they are afraid or growling
๐๐ป Looking at aggression as something that needs to be punished out
๐๐ป Forcing your dog onto their back to get them to โsubmitโ
๐๐ป Forcing your dog to โface their fearsโ by forcing interactions with other dogs and people
๐๐ป Relying on equipment that causes discomfort or pain to control them
๐๐ป Responding to a dog behaving aggressively with more of your own aggression
๐๐ป Putting your dog on a โnothing in life is freeโ protocol
๐๐ป Not allowing your dog to sniff and use their nose
๐๐ป Take advice from every vet, groomer, breeder, and neighbor who have no formal training or study in behavior
๐๐ป Take advice blindly from the internet
Things that will improve your dogโs behavior:
๐ First and foremost, learning how to speak their language and becoming fluent in dog body language
๐ฉ Committing to positive reinforcement training to proactively teach your dog the skills they need
๐โ๐ฆบ Eliminating corrections from your training
๐ถ Noticing the things that trigger your dogs misbehaviors, then training a new response or managing your dog around them
๐ Setting up the environment to benefit your dog
๐ฉ Allowing your dog to sniff and explore the world with their nose
๐โ๐ฆบ Daily enrichment activities and allowing your dog to be a dog
๐ถ Being generous with affection and attention when your dog wants it
๐ Listening to precursors to aggressive behavior such as growling, stiffening, and avoidance so that your dog doesnโt feel the need to escalate to biting
๐ฉ Hiring a qualified professional before you even bring your dog home so you know what to do from the start
These lists are obviously not complete, but if youโve ever been told to do something in that first list, ignore that advice and find someone more qualified to help you out! In the meantime, aim to meet the goals in the second list to help your dog become the best dog they can be!