Dogs are known as “man’s best friends.” They are loyal, loving, and always happy to see us. However, even the best of friends can sometimes get on our nerves. If your dog has done something that you’re mad about, how long should you stay mad? In this blog post, we will discuss the appropriate length of time to stay mad at your dog and some tips for making up afterward!
How Long Should You Stay Mad at Your Dog?
In general, it isn’t very helpful to stay mad at your dog for an extended period of time. Don’t scold your dog for longer than 10 to 30 seconds.
Your dog at its full maturity has the emotional intelligence of a 2 or 3-year-old human child. This means that your dog will be able to make an immediate association between your reaction and their behavior, but it won’t be able to understand why you’re mad after a short period of time.
Dogs live in the present moment and they don’t hold grudges like humans do. This means that an extended period of anger or punishment will only serve to confuse and distress your dog. If you need to take some time to cool off, it’s best to do so in another room or outside. Once you’ve calmed down, you can address the issue with your dog.
This doesn’t mean that you should never express your anger towards your dog; sometimes a stern “no” is necessary to get their attention and let them know that whatever they’re doing is not okay. Just be sure to keep your anger in check so that you don’t unintentionally scare or hurt your dog.
Tips for Making Up With Your Dog
If you’ve been too harsh with your dog, there are a few things you can do to make up with them and help them understand that you’re still their friend.
First, try to avoid using physical punishment when possible. This can include things like spanking, shaking, or hitting your dog. Not only is this ineffective in communicating with your dog, but it can also damage your relationship and cause your dog to be scared of you.
Second, take some time to play with your dog. This can be a great way to show them that you’re still happy to see them and that you forgive them for whatever they did. Playing also helps reinforce the bond between you and your dog.
Finally, use positive reinforcement when your dog does something that you approve of. This can be in the form of treats, petting, or verbal praise. Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, and it will help them understand what behaviors you want to see from them.
Is It Necessary to Be Mad at My Dog?
It’s not necessary to be mad at your dog. You can focus on using positive reinforcement instead of anger to train your dog. Dogs are much more likely to respond well to positive reinforcement, and it won’t damage your relationship with them.
Positive reinforcement dog training is a popular type of behavioral training that uses praise, treats, toys, or physical affection to produce good behaviors. You replace all negative reinforcement (punishment) with positive reinforcement.
This training method tends to work better than negative reinforcement training because it doesn’t impart stress, anxiety, or aggression to the dog. This makes it easier for your pup to learn what you want him to do, and he won’t be afraid of making mistakes.
When using positive reinforcement, it is important to focus on rewarding your dog for the behaviors that you want to see more of. For example, if you are potty training your dog and he goes outside to relieve himself, be sure to give him plenty of praise and a treat.
On the other hand, if you catch your dog in the act of peeing inside, simply say no and firmly lead him outside to finish. Do not give him a treat in this instance, because you don’t want to reward the behavior that you’re trying to stop.
Do Dogs Remember Being Yelled At?
Dogs won’t remember the specifics of what they did wrong, but they will remember how you made them feel. If you yell at your dog or punish it harshly, they will remember the feeling of fear and anxiety that came along with it. The more consistently you yell at your dog, the more fear and anxiety they will feel around you. This can make it difficult for them to trust you and learn from you.
Their bodies will remember the sensation of being hit or grabbed even if their minds don’t remember the event itself. This is why it’s so important to use positive reinforcement when training your dog. You want them to associate you with good things, not bad. This will lead to more consistency and loyalty over time.
How to Get My Dog to Be Better Behaved?
It can be frustrating to think of ways to improve your dog’s behavior without using punishments or scolding. However, there are many ways to get your dog to be better behaved without resorting to yelling.
Start Training Early On
One of the best things you can do is to start training your dog as early as possible. This will give them a solid foundation of obedience and manners to build on as they get older. You may even want to take time to prepare for dog ownership before you actually bring your pup home by writing down what training you want to provide.
Be Consistent
It’s important to be consistent with your commands and expectations. If you’re constantly changing what you want from your dog, they will get confused and won’t be as likely to behave the way you want them to.
Use Positive Reinforcement
As we mentioned before, positive reinforcement is a great way to train your dog without using punishments. Dogs respond well to rewards, so focus on rewarding them when they do something that you approve of. This could be anything from a simple pat on the head to treats or toys.
Make Sure Your Dog is Well-Exercised
A tired dog is less likely to get into trouble. Make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise every day and he will be more likely to relax and behave himself when you’re home.
Create a Routine
Dogs thrive on routine and predictability. If you can create a daily routine for your dog, he will be less likely to get anxious or bored, which can lead to bad behavior. You can create a feeding routine, walking routine, playing routine, and even a cuddling routine.
Be Patient
Last but not least, remember to be patient with your dog. They are still learning and it takes time for them to understand what you expect from them. If you are patient and consistent, your dog will eventually catch on and behave the way you want him to.