Correcting dog behavior problems

In part one of this article on correcting dog behavior, we discussed some of the reasons dogs misbehave. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of the alpha and why being one  is so important in correcting dog behavior problems.

You have to be the alpha

Your dog needs to see you as the alpha. You need to be consistent and always project a calm, confident energy for your dog. He’ll sense your confidence and will trust your ability to provide for him. You need to make sure that your dog gets food, water, exercise, and stimulation.

Here’s the bit where consistency is important. It is also your job to enforce the rules. Once you have established boundaries for your dog, don’t allow him to cross them. If he isn’t allowed on the bed, don’t correct him one time and invite him up the next. If you’re inconsistent when it comes to rules, your dog will begin to lose confidence and respect in your leadership. This is often at the root cause of many behavior issues.

Keep in mind also, that sometimes dogs naturally try to fill the alpha role. When that happens, you have to remember to be consistent and make her understand you’re the alpha. And you do that through consistent application of boundaries and through dog obedience exercises.

An important part of maintaining an alpha attitude is to let your dog know that you own your living space. Dogs are territorial. An alpha protects the pack’s territory. If your dog recognizes your home as your territory, he’ll respect your leadership and will feel less anxious when someone encroaches on that territory. He instinctively knows protection is the alpha job. But if he doesn’t respect you as the alpha, he may conclude he has to do the protecting. You can establish ownership by enforcing the rules, setting boundaries, and requiring your dog to do what you tell her (through dog obedience training).

If you own more than one dog, you can claim your territory by keeping your other dogs from fighting over items such as bones or toys. Act as if these things belong to you. You are simply giving your dogs permission to use them. This works with a single dog as well. If you can take a bone from your dog without him growling, you know that he respects you as the owner of your territory.

Your dog has needs – if you meet them, chances are there will be few behavior issues to correct

A dog without an alpha can become a problem. First, if his needs aren’t being met, he’s going to feel insecure and may demonstrate that through the development of bad habits. This is even more likely to occur if he feels like he has to step into a leadership role –which will be his natural instinct if he doesn’t recognize a leader.

In correcting dog behavior problems, the first step is to understand why they’ve developed. But you also have to understand what motivates your dog.  If you know what your dog wants, you know how to get him to respond to your training. By rewarding him with what he really needs, you increase the effectiveness of your training and reinforce your position as alpha.

In the final section of this correcting dog behavior problems article, we’ll discuss the greatest motivator your dog has and how you use that to correct bad dog behavior and get him to do what you want him to do.

Want more dog behavior information? Check out this complete dog training resource.

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