Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make During Puppy Training in Kansas City
Puppy training can be an amazing joy. But it is not without challenges, either. We at K.I.S.S. Dog Training have seen it all over the metro area. Inexperienced dog families try their very best. They have good intentions… yet unknowingly make choices that impede a puppy’s long-term development and growth.
If you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into six common mistakes dog owners make during puppy training in Kansas City. We’ll talk about how we can help you and your pup do it differently this time around for long-lasting results.
Starting Training Too Late or Neglecting Socialization
First and foremost, timing is key to raising a well-adjusted dog. A common training mistake dog owners make is waiting until a bad behavior is already there before starting to train. Truth is, puppy training in Kansas City starts the moment they come home. It doesn’t wait until the unwanted behavior occurs.
Another training mistake to avoid is to miss the opportunity for early socialization. Puppies are only developmentally open to new experiences up to 16 weeks of age or so. If you miss that window, they can develop fear-based behaviors later in life. Taking your puppy to new places. Allowing them to meet a wide variety of people. Mingling with other dogs. These are all crucial. The right Kansas City dog trainer can guide these experiences so they’re always positive and under control.
Getting Confused by Inconsistency with Rules and Commands
Dogs (just like kids) get very confused when the rules keep changing. Say your puppy is allowed to jump on the couch one day. Then gets yelled at for doing it the next day. That’s confusing. Your puppy won’t know what’s expected. Dogs love routine and clear boundaries. Switching the rules around day-to-day, or even allowing different family members to have different standards, creates chaos.
Inconsistent verbal cues are another source of confusion. If one person in the home says “off” and another says “down,” your puppy won’t be able to know which one they’re supposed to be following. Agreement among all members of the home as to the commands and expectations you want to use is usually one of the first things a dog behavior specialist in Kansas City will help you with.
Overusing Punishment Instead of Reinforcement
It’s so easy to get frustrated when your puppy chews on your furniture, jumps all over your guests, or just can’t seem to “get” the whole house-training thing. But often the reaction is to reach too quickly for punishment. Yelling, physical correction, taking a toy away—these things can damage your bond with your puppy and even create fear.
Science-based Kansas City dog training, the kind we use and teach at K.I.S.S. Dog Training, focuses on using positive reinforcement. We teach owners how to reward the behavior we want, so those behaviors are more likely to be repeated. This yields a much more confident, eager-to-please puppy. Corrections (not punishment, but gentle intervention) may be necessary at times, but done in a way that doesn’t shut down your progress or make your puppy anxious. This gives your pup a chance to practice making the correct decision versus making mistakes.
Neglecting Mental Stimulation and Enrichment
Many owners do a great job of providing physical exercise for a new puppy. But it is just as important to provide for your puppy’s mental enrichment and stimulation. A bored dog is a far more likely candidate for destructive behavior. Puzzle toys, basic training games, problem-solving tasks—there are many options to stimulate your puppy’s mind and help reduce common behavior issues.
A Kansas City dog behavior specialist can help you understand just how important this enrichment is and give you tools and strategies for providing it.
Allowing Small Issues to Go Unaddressed
Behavior is a process. A lot of the behaviors that we find undesirable in adult dogs started out small. Gentle nipping. Mild barking. A little leash-pulling. It’s easy to dismiss these as “puppy things.” But as a dog gets bigger and stronger, these small behaviors can balloon into full-blown issues. They might be annoying in the moment. However, these can be easily corrected with a little early intervention.
One of the best things you can do for your puppy is to work with a team that understands early behavior recognition and can help you nip a red-flag behavior in the bud. Finding help early can often be a much faster, more efficient, and much less frustrating experience for both you and your puppy.
Comparing Your Puppy to Other Dogs
Every dog is an individual. What works for your neighbor’s Golden Retriever pup won’t always work for your Chihuahua. Comparing your puppy’s training to other dogs can create unrealistic expectations for both you and your pup. Breeds, genetics, environment, and temperament all factor into how your puppy is learning and will behave.
We help you focus less on comparisons and more on consistent, science-backed techniques that will build a solid foundation of trust and communication between you and your dog. K.I.S.S. Dog Training’s individualized puppy training in Kansas City gets your dog where they are and supports your one-of-a-kind relationship every step of the way.
Waiting Too Long to Ask for Help
Dog training in Kansas City, especially early on, does not have to be a solo endeavor. We’ve met owners who put up with behavior for months, even years, before finally asking for professional help. The earlier you can work with a skilled dog trainer in Kansas City, the easier it is to shape positive behavior and nip unwanted behaviors in the bud.
We Are Your Source for Professional Dog Training!
K.I.S.S. Dog Training has been a leading KC dog behavior specialist for over ten years. We take pride in strengthening the relationships between owners and their dogs.
Contact us online or give us a call at 913-269-7595 to partner with a trainer. We are located in Shawnee and service Overland Park, Olathe, and the Kansas City metro area.
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