Many people feel how lively and adorable Teddy dogs are, but sometimes that same energy becomes a burden. Here is how training can be used to correct problems caused by excessive excitement.
Teach the Dog to Come to You
Training a dog to come when called is one of the most important behavior lessons. The following steps usually work well: first ask the Teddy to sit. Then step back. Say "come." Place the reward by your feet and make sure the dog sees it. The Teddy will usually stand up and walk over to get the reward. Just before its mouth touches the treat, say your praise marker. Then gradually increase the time the dog must stay sitting and the distance between the dog and the reward. You should also try using the come command outside formal practice sessions.
How to Use Punishment Correctly
When training a Teddy, you must first understand that punishment is a tool for correcting inappropriate behavior. In recent years, punishment has almost become a taboo topic. Many people mistakenly think it is always cruel or useless. In fact, punishment can be very effective when its method and timing are correct and when it is used only to stop a specific bad behavior.
Traditional punishment often happened long after the dog had already made a mistake, and was delivered according to the owner's mood. That is not really training but delayed retaliation. Purely positive methods are admirable, but people who truly understand how to apply correction correctly are rare. When owners become frustrated by failed training, many fall back on old methods such as hitting the dog.
The irony is that although social attitudes have changed and people claim to reject traditional punishment, cases of animal abuse have not disappeared. To solve this contradiction, we need to rethink our moral view of correction. The right principle is not "never cause any discomfort," but rather "do not cause harm." For example, we allow veterinarians to give injections, draw blood, and perform surgery because it is necessary for health. In the same way, reasonable and well-timed correction in training should be judged by whether it harms the dog, not by an unrealistic demand that the dog never feel any discomfort.
Correct the Habit of Jumping on People
For example, to stop a dog from leaping onto guests, you do not need to hurt it. First find something the dog truly dislikes, such as a water sprayer. Then teach the dog to connect that with a clear "do not do that" signal. The timing of the signal is critical: say it at the exact moment the Teddy begins the wrong action, while the water spray itself can follow a second or two later.
A simple sequence can be: the Teddy starts to jump, you say "no," you spray water, and then you ignore the dog for a minute or two. Repeat this until the dog stops jumping. The next time it begins to jump, give a sit command instead. If it sits, then reward it. One important detail is that rewards must not accidentally become linked to the wrong behavior. If the dog believes that enduring the spray is what leads to a reward, training will become confused. Reward only after the unwanted behavior has actually been replaced.
Prevent Random Chewing
The first line of defense against random chewing is management. Keep shoes in a cabinet, close the doors, and put valuable books or other objects out of the Teddy's reach. But management alone has two major weaknesses. First, it does not actually teach the dog to avoid dangerous objects and places. Second, most owners underestimate how capable a Teddy is of finding something to chew.
The only reliable way to keep the environment safe is to teach the dog what it may play with and what it must avoid. This training still begins with the "no" command. Correct timing is essential if the Teddy is to understand why it is being corrected. One useful training item is an unplugged extension cord. To a curious Teddy, a rubber-coated extension cord feels just like an ordinary power cord, but without the danger of live electricity.
Place the extension cord in front of the Teddy, leave its sight, and watch from a hidden spot or by using a mirror. The moment the dog notices the object and tries to bite it, say "no" and spray it with water. Then immediately offer a plush toy for chewing instead. Practice this regularly until chewing electrical cords becomes a clear taboo. The same method can be used to prevent chewing shoes and other household items. Throughout the process, the owner must stay patient and avoid hitting or scolding the dog.