If you’re the proud owner of an adult dog, you know that controlling them can be a challenge. Adult dogs can be stubborn and full of energy, which can make it hard to train them and keep them under control compared to a small breed like the Mini Cavoodle, Bichon Frise and American Eskimo dog. Knowing how to control your adult dog is essential when managing your dog’s behaviour. As responsible pet owners, one of our duties is ensuring that our dogs are well-behaved and cause no harm to other people or pets.
Having an adult dog can be a huge responsibility, especially if it’s a large breed. Whether you’re been training your dog for years or you’ve just gotten started, there are some key tips that can make the process much easier.
6 Tips on How to Control Your Adult Dog
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Establish Leadership
As with any relationship, establishing leadership is key when it comes to your adult dog. Dogs need structure in order to feel safe and confident. To do this, you need to make sure you’re always the one in charge – this means being consistent with commands and rewards for good behaviour.
If your dog knows who’s boss from the start, they’ll be much easier to control in the long run. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be scaring or intimidating your dog. Taking this approach is generally counterproductive. The best dog trainers will use an approach based on positive reinforcement.
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Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is an effective way to teach your adult dog good behaviour and help them understand what you want from them. Whenever they do something that you approve of, such as following a command or behaving appropriately in public, reward them with praise or treats.
This approach will help reinforce the desired behaviour and make it easier for your dog to learn more commands in the future. Contrary to popular belief, old dogs can learn new tricks – you just need to give them the right incentive to do so.
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Exercise Regularly
Exercise is one of the best ways to control your adult dog. Regular exercise helps burn off extra energy which can prevent poor behaviours due to boredom or frustration. Taking your dog on daily walks provides both exercise and socialisation, which can help teach them to be calm and focused when faced with distractions.
Additionally, regular exercise can also improve overall health and well-being for both you and your dog. Just be sure that you consult your veterinarian before starting any new exercise regimen with your dog!
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Provide Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise when it comes to keeping an adult dog under control because it helps keep their minds active and engaged with activities other than chewing furniture or barking excessively at visitors or passersby.
Puzzles, interactive toys, training games, hide-and-seek sessions – these are just some of the activities that can provide mental stimulation for dogs while helping keep them calm in different situations throughout their lives.
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Socialisation
The need for socialisation does not go away once your dog reaches adulthood. Yes, it’s crucial to socialise your dog during the early stages of their life – but it’s something you need to keep doing even if your dog is an adult. It’s important for adult dogs to be exposed to other people and animals in order for them to learn how to behave appropriately around others.
Make sure your dog gets lots of play time with other pets as well as unfamiliar people; this way, they can learn how to interact politely with unfamiliar faces without getting overly excited or aggressive.
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Spend Quality Time Together
Quality time with your dog goes a long way toward establishing trust between you two. Not only that, it’s also a great way to enjoy some fun with your dog. Set aside around 30 minutes each day when you can really focus on giving your dog the love and attention that they crave.
What your dog enjoys the most will be unique to your dog – some like play sessions, others like being cuddled and fawned over – so make this part of the day the best it can be for your dog.
Final Words
Taking these tips into consideration can help ensure that you have a well behaved adult dog who knows how to act appropriately no matter where they may find themselves! Some dogs may grow up to be more relaxed and easygoing, while others may become more skittish and aloof. If your dog is especially difficult to control, don’t hesitate to contact a professional dog behaviourist or trainer if you need help.
