Common dog training myths busted by PDSA Vet

1. Myth: “I need to teach my dog who is boss or they won’t respect me” 

“Scaring your dog into submission will only lead to a lack of trust, slower learning, and could even encourage further negative behaviour as your dog will feel frightened. Respect is earnt by setting clear and consistent boundaries early on. 

Instead of shouting, try using a firm ‘no’ to get your dog’s attention and stop what they’re doing. When your pup does something that you want them to do, always reward them with a heathy treat and lots of praise straight away, ideally while they’re still doing the behaviour or immediately after.”

2. Myth: “Punishment teaches dogs how to behave” 

“Punishing your pup may stop their unwanted behaviour in the moment, but it doesn’t address why they’re doing it in the first place, so there’s every chance that they’ll do it again. It’s similar to us being shouted at with no explanation as to what we’ve done wrong. 

 Reward-based training has been proven to work best, as pets learn to associate the behaviour with getting something they want.” 

3. Myth: “Using a rattle will stop my dog from barking” 

“Rattle cans are often loud and scary enough to stop dogs from barking, but aren’t the best solution in the long-term. They can actually make pets anxious about the noise, potentially causing them to bark even more! If your dog’s barking is getting out of hand, consider consulting a behaviourist to find out how to help.” 

 4. Myth: “If my dog is scared of something, they just need to learn it won’t hurt them” 

“Forcing your dog to interact with something they’re scared of is likely to only worsen their stress and could even cause them to lash out, so it’s important not to put them in a situation where they feel uncomfortable. 

If your dog has a phobia, speak to your vet. They will be able to prescribe medication to help if needed, and refer you to a certified behaviourist who can design a plan to help them overcome their anxiety in a positive way.”  

5. Myth: “My dog doesn’t like treats so I can’t train them” 

“If your dog isn’t a big fan of treats, they may prefer a special toy or game that’s used only during training, while other pups may respond to praise and attention.