5 Small Dog Training Mistakes

Read on to find out what the 5 most common small dog training mistakes are.  There is nothing more enjoyable than being the owner of a small, cuddly, and loving dog. However, regardless of the breed or size, proper training makes pet ownership a much better experience.

With this, a dog would behave appropriately in all types of situations, which makes handling easier. At minimum, all breeds should go through obedience training but this would be especially critical for high-energy dogs such as the Yorkshire terrier. Because this is such an important topic, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide 5 small dog training mistakes.

Common Training Mistakes

Someone interested in owning a small dog such as a Yorkie should start by learning everything possible about the breed itself but beyond that, it would be necessary to understand training methods that work but also proper execution.

While most mistakes are made by new pet owners, this is something that could happen to anyone. For this reason, the training mistakes addressed in this article would prove beneficial for all dog owners.

We want to point out two things. First, there are additional mistakes made when training dogs but the five listed below tend to be made the most often. Second, these five small dog training mistakes could also be made with larger breeds but due to the personality and nature of most small breeds to include the Yorkshire terrier, they could be extremely detrimental.

Mistake Number One – Punishing Response

There are a number of training exercises that involve calling a dog back to the owner. The mistake is made when the animal is punished or scolded for a proper response. In other words, even if a dog were called back to an owner after not completing some other command, praise should be offered. The reason is that the dog will associate praise with responding to the call. If the animal were punished, an owner would find it difficult, if not impossible to get a dog to return upon command.

In this case, the goal is to work on the improperly executed training exercise separately while praising the animal for coming when called. To make this work, the dog should be called back to the owner several times throughout training but also during play time. With a correct response, the animal would be praised and initially, given a treat as a means of reinforcing the action.

Mistake Number Two – Rubbing the Nose in Urine

While this sounds disgusting, there are still some pet owners who believe that rubbing a dog’s nose in urine and even feces is an effective potty training method. Of the five small dog training mistakes that happen most often this one creates two issues. For one thing, there are potential health-related risks with this action. At no time should an animal’s nose be rubbed in urine or feces. The second issue is that the animal is sent a mixed message of thinking the act of going potty is wrong opposed to the location.

Mistake Number Three – Ignoring Improper Behaviors

As mentioned, Yorkshire terriers tend to have high energy. Because of this, it is essential to start training while young and address bad behaviors such as jumping, chewing, growling, and so on. Even though these behaviors are typically seen most often in puppies, if not corrected they will likely be carried on into adulthood. Therefore, another one of the five small dog training mistakes is ignoring bad behaviors. Instead, any negativity displayed should be immediately corrected using proper methods.

Mistake Number Four – Spanking or Imposing Pain

The most common of the five small dog training mistakes has to do with pet owners who spank or perhaps kick, yank hard on the leash, or do other things that cause pain. The purpose of training is to help a dog learn acceptable behaviors, not to cause pain, instill fear, or even break spirit. In fact, leading experts agree that spanking and/or imposing pain could lead to negative and even aggressive behaviors.

A much more effective but also safer training method is by offering positive reinforcement. By using training techniques that support good behavior, a dog will begin to make a connection between the behavior and receiving praise and/or special treats. Remember, there are many different training exercises that would accomplish this goal, regardless of the command.

Mistake Number Five – Being Inconsistent

Again, all dogs should go through basic obedience training but beyond that, a pet owner could choose to teach other behaviors or tricks. Therefore, someone who buys a small dog such as a Yorkie should start by learning the difference between the two training options and then decide which behaviors and/or tricks would be taught. From there, methods of training could be determined.

Now, there are times when an initial training method is changed but once the best techniques have been determined, it is imperative for the owner to remain consistent. Because dogs are cute it is possible to cheat a little when it comes to training but in reality, this is not going to help in achieving the overall goal. For instance, if a Yorkshire terrier were being trained to lie down in another room while the family eats dinner, sneaking a small treat from the table would undo every effort made.

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