How to Discipline a Dog Without Punishment

  It might surprise you to hear this, but living with a dog is not all fun and games. No matter how cute our four-legged friends are, sometimes it’s necessary to correct their behavior.


  A well-trained puppy is the dream of every new pet parent, but there's no need for it to be just a dream. Proper training and supportive encouragement are the best ways to help a dog understand good behavior from bad. Of course, there will be mistakes as your dog learns, but if you know how to discipline a dog and redirect him, you'll have the best behaved pup on your street.

However, there are actually both positive and negative forms of punishment, and they belong to two different categories:
Aversion obedience training positive and negative forms of punishment, and they belong to two different categories:

Positive obedience training
Aversion obedience training

 When done properly, punishment doesn’t have to be negative. Constructive punishment helps your dog learn through conditioning, and quickly understand what’s allowed and what’s not. Disciplinary methods that are considered to be positive and beneficial are:

Time-outs
Using your voice to put a stop to unwanted behavior, rather than hitting your dog
Taking their toys away
Avoiding giving your dog attention when they misbehave
All the tips mentioned above are both humane and highly efficient at the same time. Your dog won’t feel scared or wary of you, but they will understand that what they did won’t be tolerated.

The Don'ts of Disciplining a Dog.

 Don't physically discipline your dog: You love your pets like family, so you'd never want to hurt your dog. It goes without saying that you should never lay a hand on your dog to discipline him, even if you're extremely frustrated. There is a never a reason to hit, shake or intimidate your dog. If you're ever feeling like the discipline is getting out of your control, it's time to hire a professional trainer or ask for assistance from your friends or family members. Physical discipline also can make the problem worse. Dog's struggle to connect the punishment with the action they committed, so they are likely not to change their negative behavior, but rather become fearful and less prone to listen.

Avoiding giving your dog attention when they misbehave
All the tips mentioned above are both humane and highly efficient at the same time. Your dog won’t feel scared or wary of you, but they will understand that what they did won’t be tolerated.
Don't rub your dog's nose in an accident: Sometimes it takes a puppy a little while to learn where it's acceptable to relieve himself. Since dogs often mark their territory in many places outdoors, it can be hard for puppies to learn not to do the same thing in the house. The smell they leave is a way of communicating with other animals. Even if they understand that they aren't supposed to go in the house, they may not understand the severity of their actions. Don't punish your dog by rubbing his nose in his accident. This can create an anxiety issue or break the bond between pet and owner. Clean up the mess and redirect your dog outside.

"To prevent frequent urination in the same household spot, remove the scent of previous urine marks with a good enzymatic cleaner," recommends Vetstreet


The Do's of How to Discipline a Dog.
 Do reinforce good behaviors: In an ideal relationship with your dog, you don't have to worry about discipline any longer and can simply praise him. There are many ways to positively reinforce good behaviors, and your dog will especially like getting healthy treats when he's done something right. The more you encourage your dog, the harder he'll work to make sure he follows the rules and keeps you happy. 

  Do consider your dog's health:
    If your dog suddenly begins to urinate on your carpets and furniture after being successfully house-trained for quite some time, there's a chance that his behavior is the result of a medical issue, such as a urinary tract infection. Since you're not a mind reader, a trip to the veterinarian's office is necessary. Dogs don't like to soil their home areas, so consider this a potential sign of an internal problem.


Do redirect your furry friend: 
   When you're learning how to discipline your dog, one of the best routes to take is redirection. First, stop your dog in the act of whatever he's doing, then give him a different, pet parent-approved option. For example, if you walk into a room and notice him chewing your shoes or hairbrush, swiftly tell him "No!" and take the item out of his mouth. Once your dog is calm, present him with an actual chew toy. When he's munching on the toy, make sure to reinforce the positive behavior with lots of praise.

Disciplining a dog can be tough, but remember that you're helping him learn to be the best version of himself. If you treat your pup like you would a child, you will start to see that you're teaching him how to be a grown up. The time you spend training him properly will not only improve his behavior, but also the bond you share. Make sure to always be patient and invest time in your dog's training so you'll worry less about how to discipline a dog and spend more time enjoying his company instead.