Beagles are fun to be with. They can be naughty and loving simultaneously and can become a pain in the rear at times. But with proper training, you can bring out the best in your beagles.
It’s always about training a dog in the best ways with a very positive approach to being beneficial in the coming future. You have to keep in mind while training your beagle that they can be as stubborn as a mule, which might lead to difficulties in giving proper training. They can be a bit hard to control.
Coming to punishments, they can bring out the good and disciplined version of a wrongdoer. There’s always a positive and negative side to everything, and likewise here in punishments, a positive approach would be the best suitable. While punishing a beagle, we mustn’t scare them or harm them in any manner. Instead, it is better to pacify things out.
Understanding the difference between punishment and discipline
Before moving onto punishments, one should understand the basic difference between punishment and discipline.
Punishments help your dog to learn from mistakes and not to repeat them in the future. For example, one might get constructive feedback about the quality of work they do, which either pushes them to work harder or learn, evolve and grow from their shortcomings.
Similarly, constructive punishments can be a good technique to remind your beagle not to do that again. It conditions them to understand and adapt to what is right and what is not.
Discipline, on the other hand, is something that your dog acquires during the training period. While giving them obedience training, they’d slowly get accustomed to what the trainer asks them to do. A well-disciplined dog often complies with your commands and won’t be a troublemaker.
Some of the most commonly used disciplinary techniques are ignoring your dog when it craves your attention, taking away their favorite toys, or simply increasing your voice, indicating that you disapprove of their behavior.
What exactly is ‘positive’ punishment?
It is a form of behavior modification that aims at reducing unwanted behavior in your pet. The word ‘positive’ might sound nice, but it means avoiding several actions that can have a bad impact.
Here an undesirable behavior by your dog is treated with an aversive, and eventually, your dog will obey your orders so that punishments can be avoided. By adding a stimulus, it reduces the chance of a particular behavior happening again.
Introducing any sort of pain or force is a part of positive punishment. While punishing, the main focus must be on the behavior of the dog and not the dog.
Some examples of positive punishment are yelling at the dog, hitting them with a newspaper, or tugging the leash when they are up to something you don’t like or have already done something undesirable. This is an introduction of a stimulus that should lower the chances of this occurring again.
Is hitting your dog a good idea?
Just like humans, dogs, too, can feel the pain when they are hit. It can severely impact its behavioral pattern, which would be evident from its body language. By hitting or spanking your four-legged friend, they go through a lot of pain, and ultimately it can affect your relationship with them.
If you’re someone who uses a lot of force to make your dog obey you, they might show various behavioral changes. Unknowingly, fear creeps into their mind, they tend to be insecure and even hide away from you. These are some of the adverse effects of treating your dog unpleasantly.
If you think hitting your dog would make them obedient, it’s a misconception, and the truth is it will only make your dog perplexed and frightened.
If you have any problem training your beagle, you can get this Dog Training course. I personally bought this course when my first got my Groot and trust me it worked like a charm.
Positive reinforcements > Positive punishments
Positive reinforcement is an age-old technique that reinforces good behavior in your pets. But this should not be applied while your dog misbehaves. It’ll only motivate them to do it again.
Dogs require a certain period to adapt to the new environment and learn various behaviors. This can also include rewards, food treats, petting, and lots of cuddles for your dogs.
For example, if your dog is learning a new behavior, you can reward them with food treats.
This is the best way to keep your dog motivated, and once they have learned a particular behavior, you can cut down the number of treats and make sure you do enough praising because they love it when they are praised.
With time you’ll understand that positive reinforcement is not just about material rewards but also a little bit of verbal praise that can bring a massive difference to your pet’s behavior.
What about a balanced training plan?
A balanced training plan is a combination of positive reinforcement and positive punishment to train dogs, including a bit of negative reinforcement. But this too has its share of downsides, as it is risky, and there can arise many problems if it isn’t implemented in the right manner.
It’s always not a good idea to try all the available methods to train your dog. Instead, it is always advisable to go for a method that suits your dog, and it is best to consult a certified trainer who can understand the kind of training your dog requires.
As a dog owner, it’s solely your choice to adopt a training method and open up to the trainer clearly about your needs.
Discipline and punishment go hand in hand
Now, after all this information, if you’re still confused about how to punish your dog for something they do often that irks you, remember it all begins with the right kind of training.
Just like establishing a proper channel of punishment for your dog, it is equally important to build a foundation of ‘discipline’ in your dog.
If you’re harsh on your dog in the name of punishment, you’re slowly losing a good bond with your dog, and they do find it appalling. Building a safe and healthy haven for your pooch is extremely important.
No matter how naughty your beagles are, shower them with warmth and love. Sometimes a little bit of love can do wonders.