You want to have the perfect pet-owner relationship with your dog. You want a deep, affectionate bond, coupled with your dog’s unfailing respect and obedience. While those things may be possible, it takes a long time and a lot of hard work to get to that point as a pet and owner. Then, once you achieve your goal, you and your dog must work together to maintain all that you have learned.

Maybe you have a solid grasp of some key points of Singapore dog training, like consistency and patience in any setting. You even know when to use a verbal reprimand and when to ignore your dog as a form of gentle rebuke. But what about when your dog does exactly what you want? Do you know how to react correctly?

Too Many Treats

Some owners act like a treat dispenser. Every time their dog goes potty outside, greets a visitor appropriately, performs a task, or demonstrates a skill, these owners respond with a treat. They typically also use other rewards in conjunction with the treat, perhaps a pleased verbal response and a pat or two.

So what’s the problem with giving your dog treats? If you dole out treats for every little positive action, they become expected, almost boring, to your dog. They lose their interest as a special reward and become commonplace. If you have a habit of giving your dog a treat plus verbal affirmation plus physical affection every time he obeys a command, you’re overdoing the reward system; and you’ll have nothing left to offer when you really need a powerful reward as a motivator.

Switching Rewards

If you have slipped into this cycle, you can easily reverse it. Back off on the treat-giving. For some behaviors, you could simply praise your dog with words. For other good behaviors, add some physical affection such as petting or ear-scratching into the mix. Whenever you have some extra time, have your dog practice commands and reward his obedience by playing games with him. Games are ideal rewards, because they give your dog extra physical and mental exercise as well as making him happy. Save the treats for really special occasions when you need to motivate your dog or let him know that you are extra pleased.

Pet Personalities

Knowing when to give specific rewards ties in closely with knowing your dog’s personality. Like people, all dogs have different personalities, unique quirks, and special qualities. Watch your dog’s response to you, to his setting, and to other people and animals. Observation helps you learn more about your pet’s inner nature. Remember than some breeds are more prone to certain behaviors than other breeds. For example, an Australian shepherd needs plenty of space to exercise and ample opportunity to exercise his mind. Misbehavior could stem from a lack of activity and mental exercise. When you understand your dog’s personality and needs on a deeper level, you have the secret to effectively training him. If you are having trouble relating to your pet, your local dog trainer in Singapore can help.

Signal Received

Once you know your dog well, you’ll notice his subtle signals. If your dog loves to run but lies down when you take him to a nearby field for exercise, he may be in pain. If he is generally friendly but reacts badly to one person or dog, he may be afraid of that individual for some reason. When you stay in tune with your pet and act on the signals he sends you, you will make your partnership even stronger