Dogs are very intelligent creatures but we owners should not assume that they have humans ability to comprehend and to separate what is right from what is wrong. A pet that usually greets its master by jumping will be puzzled if the owner suddenly raised the voice and reprimanded the dog for jumping while she is all dressed up for a party.

What disciplinary methods can you use to manage a dog’s undesirable destructive chewing and excessive barking behaviors and control its tendency to chase and torment other pets and to eat spoiled food from the trash cans? Dogs can easily read our facial expressions and understand the meaning or our body movements. Dogs are cunning little and not so little rascals that would know how to achieve an imploring look to get away from the wrath of the master. The dog may look repentant but the pet owner should not be complacent as the dog’s bad habits will surface again and again. Unless you do something to discipline the dog, the undesirable act will be repeated again. Screaming at the dog or inflicting physical punishment would never be a good idea more so if the punishment was given after the destructive deed was done. Correcting the bad habit of the dog will never be accomplished if the punishment is given after the dog has been destructive.

In a dog/human relationship, the human should always be viewed as the leader of the pack. Dogs must be trained to follow the commands of humans. Training would be an effective method of disciplining the pet. Any kind of dog training is best started when the dog is still young. Commands to discipline a dog must given in an authoritative voice.

Diversionary techniques that will result to the dog’s aversion to the destructive behavior are effective methods of disciplining the dog . A spray bottle filled with cold water and Bitter Apple are effective tools that disciplines the dog not to manifest a destructive behavior.

It would be best to reprimand and correct the dog while the destructive act is being committed. “No, Leave it, Stop are only some of the excellent commands that will stop the dog in mid act. It would take some time for the dog to understand the meaning of these commands but consistent training, lots of praise and treats are invaluable tools that will correct the dog’s unwanted behavior.

Learn more about how to discipline a dog at Sarah’s Dogs.