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How to Teach a Dog to Be Gentle: 7 Tips & Tricks

Written by: Chris Dinesen Rogers

Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

happy young woman cuddling australian shepherd dog while sitting on couch

How to Teach a Dog to Be Gentle: 7 Tips & Tricks

Behavioral issues are one of the top reasons people relinquish their pets. Time and money are also factors, particularly if someone hasn’t researched the commitment of owning an animal. Separating a puppy from their mother and littermates when under 8 weeks old can cause the animal to become fearful and more likely to bite. While some behavioral traits are genetic, the environment plays a significant role. We suggest researching a breed before committing to a new pet, particularly if you have kids. However, all dogs are trainable, you just have to know what steps to take.

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The 7 Tips for Training a Dog to Be Gentle

1. Start Training and Socialization Early

The Canine Socialization Period spans 21 to 49 days. It’s an excellent time to expose your pet to novel experiences and enrichment. Dogs are less likely to become fearful if they learn from new things during this time, and that includes meeting people. The same advice applies to pet owners bringing home a puppy. Puppyhood is the prime time to take advantage of the animal’s malleable brain to learn. The earlier you start, the more well-behaved they’ll be as adults.

jack russell terrier puppy lying on owners lap
Image Credit: Inna Skaldutska, Shutterstock

2. Teach Your Pup a “Leave It” or “Drop” Command

Teaching your dog to be gentle begins with them learning to respond to basic commands. You should include a “leave it” or “drop” command, along with vital ones like “sit” and “stay.” The process involves giving the command and rewarding your dog with a treat when they respond appropriately.

Tip: It’s not enough for your dog to know how to drop an object for you. Practice the command with other people in your household and people outside your home. The response must be automatic, no matter who is giving the command.


3. Practice Quadrant Conditioning, Emphasizing Positive Reinforcement

The best way to teach your dog to be gentle is with quadrant training, emphasizing positive reinforcement. Essentially, you reward or praise good behavior. Over time and with enough practice, they’ll learn to naturally behave in the way that led to them being rewarded. Praise can be an equally potent motivator as food, so don’t discount its value in teaching your dog to be gentle.

person holding dog treats on the jar
Image Credit: pets and foods, Shutterstock

4. Be Mindful of Your Pup’s Fear Impact Periods

Dogs often become aggressive out of fear. That’s why it’s imperative to know when a pup is vulnerable to developing these feelings. Two fear impact periods exist in a young dog’s life: one at 8–12 weeks and the other at 7–14 months. Your training goal is to avoid upsetting situations that can leave an indelible mark on your pet’s behavior.


5. Teach Your Kids How to Interact With Your Pet

Learning to read your dog’s emotions is an effective way to avoid conflict and ensure a gentle pet. However, it’s something you must learn if you don’t grow up with dogs. That adage also applies to children. Misinterpreting a dog’s body language is problematic and can lead to injuries. Therefore, you should instruct your children to respect your pet’s space, particularly when sleeping or eating.

a child with their pet weimaraner
Image Credit: Ulza, Shutterstock

6. Supervise Playtime, Particularly With Young Children

We recommend supervising playtime, especially with kids. Remember that dogs have the emotional capacity of only a 2.5-year-old child. They aren’t capable of more complex emotions. Supervision helps avoid situations where your efforts to teach your dog to be gentle go awry. It’s also an excellent opportunity to reinforce the lessons you’ve taught your little ones.

Tip: The sobering reality is that most bite victims are children and injured by dogs they know, so your vigilance is necessary.


7. Train Them to Take Treats Gently

It is important to teach your dog to have some self-control, and teaching them to be gentle also includes taking treats gently when offered. This is often done by holding a treat in your fist and saying a command. If they do the command, offer the treat but with a loose grip. If they try to bite at your hand, keep the fist closed and don’t flinch or pull away. You can offer the treat again, but use a word like “gentle” and repeat these steps until they take the treat while refraining from trying to bite it out of your hand.

morkie puppy dog being fed food or a treat outdoors
Image Credit: Cavan-Images, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Teaching a dog to be gentle involves keeping things positive, whether it’s through training or interaction with the kids. You’ll likely find that your pup responds well to this approach. It helps to build trust, which can encourage gentle behavior and continually reinforce it. Making this commitment will create a better pet-owner relationship and improve your pooch’s quality of life.


Featured Image Credit: LightField Studios, Shutterstock

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