How to raise a dog. Raising a dog up to one year old. Initial puppy training. Do not care about the mental development of your pet.

In order to preserve your dog’s health and psyche, teach it order and raise it to be obedient, it is important to remember what can interfere with this. We present to you the top mistakes in raising a dog, most often made by animal owners. Read it so you don't repeat it!

Although the first mistake is not directly related to raising a dog, we included it in this list because it causes many problems in your relationship with your pet.

Buy a dog spontaneously

By purchasing a pet under the influence of a momentary impulse or out of pity, you risk getting a completely different friend than you dreamed of. Despite the fact that the stray dog ​​looks very harmless in appearance, it is unknown what kind of character he has. And a cute dog that is sold second-hand in an underground passage may turn out to be sick.

Finally, do not underestimate the characteristics of the animal's breed: some pets really need a lot of attention. And, for example, if today you “save” such a dog from hunger, then tomorrow, when you go to work for a day, you will doom him to loneliness.

That is why it is better to first study the habits of your pet, which are inherent in its character by genetics, the features of caring for it, and only then make a decision that is fateful for you and for it.

Terriers love to dig. Dachshunds are not allowed to walk on stairs. If you are interested in a particular breed, read everything you can find about it, talk to those who already have a similar animal.

If you are planning to buy a pet from a breeder, carefully consider the puppy’s parents; they must be healthy and behave appropriately.

Parenting Mistake 2

Neglect training

Dogs develop bad habits at an early age. Moreover, getting rid of them, if they are completely entrenched in the pet’s mind, can only be done with the help of a specialist. So don't lose sight of education. four-legged friend. If you have little idea how to train an animal, entrust this task to an experienced instructor.

But even before your puppy begins training with a professional, you yourself can teach him simple

You should start formally training your puppy as early as 8 weeks, and ideally before 12 weeks, as this is the most favorable period for learning information and developing behavioral norms.

So that the pet remembers valuable lessons for life, it is advisable to repeat the bites of professional training every 2-3 years.

Dog training mistake 3

Be fickle in prohibitions

If one family member allows the dog to sleep in the owner's bed, but the other does not, the pet will, of course, become confused. He will begin to set his own rules, which you are unlikely to like.

To avoid this, make sure everyone in your family knows – and follows it exactly! - laws established for the pet. You do not want? To have an animal beg for food during your lunch? Then do not make exceptions even under the most pitiful gaze. By making an indulgence only a couple of times, you will create problems for yourself and your pet for a long time. And vice versa - by showing strictness at the beginning, you will live calmly in the future.

Error 4

Pamper the dog

Treats that are used not only for reward, but for no particular reason at all, quickly lose their value. Think of treats as a kind of “pocket money” that is given out as a reward for particularly good behavior. And don’t do this too often, otherwise the animal will stop obeying if it doesn’t get food for it. Moreover, culinary abundance will have a bad effect on your pet’s health.

Mistake in raising a dog 5

Deprive your pet of communication

Animals whose childhood is spent alone develop fears and suspicion, and then, as a consequence, aggressive behavior.

Try to introduce your pet to new people, both adults and children, early age. Sometimes place him in unfamiliar surroundings, including transport. This is necessary to save him from unnecessary fears, and yourself from unnecessary troubles.

Error 6

Neglect exercise

Animals have much more energy than humans, and it must be spent. Otherwise, your beloved dog will turn first into an uncontrollable mischief-maker who destroys everything in his path, and then into a grumpy lazy person with shortness of breath and heart problems.

The dog needs to be walked at least twice a day for at least half an hour per approach. And not on a leash, but let her run around properly. A ball, a flying saucer or an ordinary stick will be useful for this.

It is very good if you are riding a bicycle and the dog is running after you. For a dog, with an error due to the characteristics of the breed, this is the norm of activity - birds fly, fish swim, and dogs run.

Error 7

Don't care about your pet's mental development

In nature, an animal is forced to direct all its energy and all the power of its intellect to searching for food, shelter and protection from enemies. At home, the need for this disappears, and the pet begins to get bored. And a bored individual is, of course, more likely to get into trouble.

To avoid a domestic disaster, keep your friend busy with an exciting game. If there is no one to keep him company, buy special toys for the animal.

Error 8

Leaving the animal alone for a long time

Dogs and cats who miss their owner can be very creative. Therefore, do not be surprised if, upon returning from a business trip, you find that the floors are covered with a thin layer of feathers from torn pillows, and toilet paper “scatters” in a bizarre labyrinth throughout the apartment.

To prevent this from happening, you should not leave the puppy alone for more than seven hours. If you have to leave for a day, ask someone to look after your four-legged baby.

But this does not mean that loneliness is good for the dog. On the contrary: the sooner the dog understands that the owner may have business to do and learns to wait for him, the sooner he will become the best protector for your property and a companion for you. Just before you teach your pet an “obedience lesson,” be sure to leave him toys so that the dog has something to occupy himself with.

Error 9

Do not equip your home for your pet's needs

The home where you brought the animal is its home too. Which means he should feel comfortable here. Therefore, you will have to give up some of your space to provide your new friend with the proper conditions.

The pet must have its own place. A dog that doesn't have a comfortable bed to sleep on will inevitably take over your own bed sooner or later.

Training a dog begins before you even bring a puppy into your home. Unless you undertake to feed a blind, abandoned orphan with a pacifier. But then you will have to become not only a dairy mother for him, but also begin to teach him the basics of canine cohabitation. Observe the bitch, especially how she handles her litter. She affectionately licks them (so in the future, when the dog wants to show his goodwill towards someone, he will lick them), teaches them games. But when a naughty puppy goes too far, the mother sharply pulls him back: first she squeals, then she grabs the fighter’s scruff with her teeth and shakes him a couple of times. This is the first phase of training.

The second phase begins with weaning the puppy from its mother. The new environment and separation from the family cause shock in the young animal. To smooth it out, try to start with the same methods that his parent used. The first night in a new home is very important. The dog is used to sleeping under the warm side of his mother and surrounded by other puppies. No matter how comfortable his rug is, it's still not the same. Even if the dog managed to sniff its new habitat during the day and calm down a little, play, eat and even take a nap, whining will inevitably begin at night. Here it is important not to show weakness: if you take pity on him and take him to your bed, the pet will sleep there for the rest of his life. During the first nights, place a warm heating pad under your puppy's side.

At the age of one and a half months, you need to continue raising the dog so that it adapts to human society.. In an animal pack, a subordinate member flirts with a stronger one, touching him with his paws. This endearing habit can result in a rapidly growing large-breed puppy accidentally knocking over a child or an elderly person, not to mention ripped tights. If you are a man and would not mind your pet throwing himself at your feet to show his love and devotion, think about the ladies who come to your house. To avoid embarrassment, it is better to immediately wean him from showing his feelings in this way. Therefore, the “fu” or “no” command is almost the first one you need to teach your dog.

It is very important to raise a dog at the age of three months, when, especially in males, the instinct of dominance awakens. These are pack animals, and, as you know, they must have a leader. It will be either you or your dog - there is no third option. The condition of parity and democracy is possible in individual cases, but not as a rule. Otherwise the dog will be disoriented. She feels comfortable if she is clearly aware of the chain of hierarchy. Don't let her dominate any family member.

After you have received the necessary vaccinations, you can train your puppy to go out into the world. He should already know his nickname, understand and execute the commands “come to me!”, “sit!” and “ugh!” The last order must be pronounced in a stern and sharp voice, not allowing for objections, and the first, on the contrary, in a gentle tone. If, after an offense, the child, obeying the command, comes up to you, do not punish him under any circumstances.

It is very important to thoughtfully approach the question of how to educate. After all, unlike a person, she is dominated by the instincts of distant ancestors bred by breeders. Do not be surprised if your pit bull, showing extreme patience with the antics of children, becomes wild and goes berserk at the sight of a stranger. To train a pet social behavior, you need to consult with an experienced dog handler or even send the dog to a training school.

Dogs for protection, hunting and herding breeds in the conditions of an ordinary city apartment also need to curb their nurtured “native” habits. In order not to bark for half an hour at every sound made by your neighbors behind the wall, so that the shepherd does not rush at the postman, the dachshund does not tear up the lawn like a bulldozer, and the setter does not rush headlong after a cat or pigeon, you need to wean them from these habits. It is generally not recommended to let your dog off the leash on the street - he may simply get lost in the crowd. But even in nature, a dog must obey its owner unquestioningly. To do this, you must become a recognized leader for her, and to achieve this, you need perseverance and strength of character.