Just Behaving vs. Modern Training: A Guide for New Puppy Own

Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time, but the way you raise your puppy fundamentally determines their future behavior. Will they grow into a balanced, well-mannered family member, or an excitable, demanding companion? Many modern dog training methods, while popular, focus primarily on obedience taught through excessive positive reinforcement, treat-based luring, and play-driven engagement. While these techniques can certainly create dogs that perform commands, they often fall short in producing dogs that are well-adjusted and naturally well-behaved in the context of everyday life.

At Just Behaving, we embrace a different philosophy. Our approach is rooted in mentorship, calm leadership, and natural correction, mirroring how dogs learn within their own social structures. We do not rely on constant food rewards or high levels of excitement to teach manners. Instead, our focus is on raising dogs to maturity, preventing unwanted behaviors before they start, and using structured leadership to shape behavior naturally over time.

This guide will clearly outline how Just Behaving compares to mainstream training methods, illustrating why our philosophy leads to calmer, more respectful, and reliably well-behaved dogs. 

Most behavior problems stem from habits owners inadvertently allow during puppyhood. While mainstream training often focuses on redirecting or replacing bad behaviors after they emerge, Just Behaving emphasizes never allowing bad habits to form in the first place.

How Just Behaving Differs:

• Mainstream: Often allows behaviors like jumping, mouthing, or excessive barking in puppyhood, then attempts to train them away later. Unwanted behaviors might be redirected with toys or treats. High-energy play is frequently encouraged. 
• Just Behaving: Prevents these behaviors by setting clear, structured expectations from day one. Uses instinctual corrections (like space management or calm disengagement) immediately to stop unwanted behaviors. Promotes calm, structured interactions and discourages hyperactivity. 

Examples:

• Jumping Up: A mainstream trainer might ignore jumping or lure the puppy into a sit with a treat. A Just Behaving owner calmly steps into the puppy's space, using body pressure and redirection to show jumping is never an option. 
• Demand Barking: Traditional training might teach "speak" then "quiet" for a treat. Just Behaving teaches puppies that barking earns nothing – engagement is withdrawn until silence occurs. 

Modern positive reinforcement often relies on rewarding good behavior and ignoring bad behavior, assuming unwanted actions will fade without reinforcement. However, this doesn't align with how puppies learn social rules from their mothers or other adult dogs. 

How Just Behaving Differs:

• Mainstream: Uses treats extensively to teach and reinforce commands. Ignores bad behaviors. Often avoids verbal correction like "No". 
• Just Behaving: Uses natural corrections derived from body pressure, presence, and disengagement. Addresses unwanted behaviors immediately and calmly, mirroring canine social correction. Uses calm, structured discipline to set clear expectations.

Examples:

• Puppy Nipping: A mainstream trainer might redirect to a chew toy. Just Behaving corrects immediately with a firm, neutral response (e.g., gentle mouth closure, stepping away, calm "ah-ah"). 
• Leash Pulling: A treat-based trainer might lure the puppy back with food. Just Behaving teaches that pulling instantly stops all forward movement; the walk only continues when the leash is slack. 

Many programs focus heavily on obedience commands (sit, stay, etc.) but neglect teaching a puppy how to simply exist as a calm, respectful family member. Just Behaving prioritizes emotional development and maturity over robotic obedience. 

How Just Behaving Differs:

• Mainstream: Often uses clickers, treats, and high-energy sessions. Focuses on tricks/commands but may not emphasize calmness. Can create dependency on external rewards. 
• Just Behaving: Uses structured daily life as the training environment. Emphasizes settling, respecting boundaries, and self-regulation. Teaches dogs to behave appropriately because it's expected, not for a treat. 

Examples:

• Meal Time: Instead of commanding "sit/stay" for a treat before eating, Just Behaving encourages the puppy to settle naturally while food is prepared – no commands needed, just expected behavior. 
• Walks: A mainstream approach might use treats for check-ins. Just Behaving uses leash pressure, structured pace, and natural corrections to teach calm walking without constant reinforcement. 

Modern training often overemphasizes engagement and excitement, potentially leading to hyper-dependent, high-energy dogs. Just Behaving prioritizes calm leadership and structured bonding instead. 

How Just Behaving Differs:

• Mainstream: Encourages excitement/play as primary bonding methods. Uses excessive verbal praise and energy. Can build dogs expecting high energy constantly. 
• Just Behaving: Teaches calm companionship, fostering deeper trust. Uses quiet presence and structure to communicate expectations. Builds dogs comfortable in quiet, natural companionship. 

Examples:

• Coming Home: Instead of rewarding excited greetings, Just Behaving owners ignore the excitement and interact only when the dog is calm. 
• Guests Arriving: A mainstream trainer might teach a "sit" for a treat. Just Behaving prevents excitement by managing space, controlling interactions, and setting expectations for calm from the start. 

Conclusion: Why Just Behaving Produces Naturally Well-Mannered Dogs

The Just Behaving method isn't about teaching tricks, relying on constant treats, or using artificial commands. It's about raising a dog the way nature intended – with leadership, structure, and instinctual correction. By focusing on prevention, calm leadership, and fostering maturity, we create dogs that don't just "listen" but truly understand how to exist harmoniously in a human household. 

If your goal is a well-mannered dog who behaves out of respect and understanding, not just for a reward, the Just Behaving philosophy provides the clear path forward. 

© 2010 Just Behaving (Dan Roach). All rights reserved.