Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Rewarding Good Petiquette
It’s reasonable to set behavior expectations for your pet. However, while they want to please you, they also have to answer to their instincts. This may result in scratching, marking, barking, humping, escaping, and other behaviors you could live without. Luckily, there are some pretty easy ways to achieve good petiquette. A well-mannered pet is right around the corner!
Into Shape
Younger animals are sort of like unformed balls of clay. You can mold them into the pet you’ve always wanted, but it does take time, commitment, and straight-up consistency. Older pets can also be trained and taught new tricks, but ingrained behavior patterns might be a bit more difficult to break.
Common Frustrations
The good news is that you’re not alone. Indeed, many successful, rewarding pet-human relationships don’t come easily or naturally, but when you responsibly train your pet, you can decrease the following poor behaviors:
- Barking
- Chewing and general destructive actions
- Aggression and biting
- Begging for food
- Jumping up on guests or strangers
- Digging
- Marking or spraying
- Not using the litter box
- Scratching
- Running away
Teach and Uphold Petiquette
The best way to achieve a good outcome regarding petiquette is positive reinforcement. Your pet probably doesn’t realize or understand that whatever they’re doing is “wrong,” but they do get that you’re displeased with them.
Remember, there’s always room for improvement; please do not punish your pet. Focus your energy on rewarding your pet for things they do “right.” High-value nutritional treats, snuggles, pets, and praise all lay the groundwork for positive reinforcement.
We also recommend maintaining your pet’s annual or semi-annual wellness exam. If there are behavioral problems, we can address them and help you find additional professional support.
Lots of Opportunities
Giving your pet plenty of chances to display good behavior will go a long way to achieving proper petiquette. Lots of daily exercise and mental stimulation will keep your pet’s body and mind working hard. Boredom can lead to destructive tendencies, loneliness, anxiety, and aggression.
Socialization is also key to developing good manners. Giving your pet the skills to navigate social encounters will keep unwanted anxiety or stress at bay.
Basic obedience training will help you communicate effectively with your pet. Dogs should know the basics, such as sit, stay, come, heel, and lay down. Before you move on to more advanced obedience training, the fundamentals need to be mastered.
Other Tips
Crate training and housebreaking can have their ups and downs, but they’re vital to health and wellbeing (and your sanity!). Please let us know if you need help with any of these endeavors.
Lastly, petiquette becomes a code of sorts when dealing with other people in public spaces. There are those who don’t like being around animals, so allowing your pet to invade their bubble would definitely be insensitive.
Taking your pet into public areas or other people’s homes can work out well as long as you ask permission and ensure your dog’s behavior is exemplary. Keep them on a leash, bring snacks, blankets, and toys, and be prepared for any accidents.
If we can assist you further, please let us know.