A dog behaviour expert with more than 3million combined followers on social media has shared five simple ways to improve your four-legged friend’s way of acting instantly.
Adam Spivey, founder of @SouthendDogTraining, hands out ‘positive training methods with proven results’ through both his TikTok and Instagram accounts which have 2.3million and 1.5 million followers respectively.
Adam shares tips and tricks on how to stop any unruly pooch from causing mischief whether that be in the house, on the lead or around other dogs.
“[Here are] five things that will improve your relationship with your dog for the better and it’s so simple, anyone can do,” the trainer shared in his latest advice clip, adding that “this will improve your relationship tenfold.”
The video has amassed more than 6,500 likes with hundreds of users giving thanks for the tips which cover how to calm down dogs who are prone to getting overexcited, jumping up in the house or who like to hang around when the family is eating dinner.
“Exercise your dog properly,” Adam begins. “Dogs need a combination of breed fulfilment, mental and physical stimulation – not free-running every single day. This builds an adrenaline junkie and all adrenaline junkies always need more.
“Two: after exercise, put your dog in its bed or a crate so it learns to switch off. Many dogs struggle to switch off so they keep going and going and going and develop anxiety-based issues such as excessive barking, destructive behaviour actions in the house and separation anxiety.
“Teach an off switch. Do this after exercise and be consistent with this and your dog will be much happier and content.”
Adam’s next tip caught many of his followers off-guard with some commenting their surprise at his advice to use an indoor training lead to correct their pet’s mischievous ways.
He explained: “I cannot stress this strongly enough, so many people lose control of their dogs in the home. They’re allowed to pick up things, run away from them [their owners], jump up at guests – stuff like that.
“Use an indoor lead until your dog’s trained.”
One user commented that they “hadn’t heard of the indoor lead method until we took our Dalmation to a trainer last year, it has worked wonders since!”
The tips didn’t stop there, Adam then outlined a method dog owners can use at home to prevent their furry friend from whining at the dinner table.
“When you’re eating, stick the dog in its bed whether that’s a snack, a full-blown meal or dinner being prepared. This will teach your dog to be respectful and calm around food and this will help massively to teach your dog how to behave – it’s so beneficial.
“And, five: this is so easy, but we don’t do it, fuss your dog when it’s doing something you like or ask. If the dog jumps up and you stroke it, it’s going to jump up again. If your dog whines and you stroke it, it’s going to whine to get a fuss.
“Fuss your dog calmly when it has done something you’ve asked or something you like. [Here are] Five things, and if you do these consistently, you will not have issues with your dog.”
