The following are six essential training mistakes dog owners make, probably without realizing they are in error, and what you can do to avoid them! Check them out and see if you are guilty of these everyday doggie conduct blunders!

1. Doing the right thing, but at the wrong time.
Every interaction with your pet sends a message, and sometimes dog owners inadvertently send the wrong ones. For example, giving your pup attention or affection when she's performing an undesirable behavior can reinforce that behavior, increasing the likelihood she'll continue to do it.

2. Who's walking whom?
Your dog looks to you for guidance and leadership. He needs to know what his boundaries are in order to feel secure with you. So when you take him for a walk, he should walk beside you – not out in front of you, yanking at the leash.

3. Mistaking your dog for a human.
Your dog is: Canis lupus. You are: Homo sapiens. You and your dog are different species. Put another way, your dog is not a human. Focus on honoring and nurturing all that makes your dog, a dog.

4. Fighting tooth and nail.
You should brush your dog's teeth if not every day, at least several times a week.

Your dog's nails also need to be clipped regularly. How often depends on how fast they grow and how much time he spends on surfaces that grind them down naturally.

5. Showing hate for the crate.
I'm perpetually surprised by how many dog guardians think crates are an invention of the devil. If you're one of them, here's what you're missing in the equation: your Canis lupus is by nature a den dweller, and a crate affords you the opportunity to work with your pup's natural desire to seek out small, dark, safe spots to inhabit. This can be a huge win for you, as well as him, if you need to housetrain the little fellow, not to mention for car or plane travel, or overnight stays with friends, family, or at a pet-friendly hotel.

6. Accentuating the negative.
If you want a balanced, well-mannered dog, the way to achieve this is with positive reinforcement behavior training, not punishment-based training. A growing number of studies show that positive reinforcement training of our furry companions is much more effective than training that involves dominance and punishment.

If you would like to know more, read additional information, please go over to Healthy Pets.

It is amazing how – when we feel we’re being the best dog owner there is – we discover our choices have been wrong! But with a little adjustment, making for a great learning experience for human and dog, our family can be whole and harmonious!