Understanding And Correcting Dog Behavior Problems

If you have noticed that your perfect dog is beginning to develop some behavioral issues, you may be wondering what’s going on. Why does he pick up or develop what we call bad habits? You probably find your dog’s behavior problems frustrating and want to fix them quickly. But correcting dog behavior problems is not so easy without an understanding of why these problems occur.

Bored dogs and dogs with no opportunity to burn off energy can become problems

When your dog starts behaving badly, the first thing you should do is figure out why. Behavior problems in dogs usually arise when their needs aren’t being met. Ask yourself if your dog is getting enough exercise. Does he have extra energy that could be contributing to his problem? Dogs that don’t get exercise have too much energy and often get into trouble as they try to burn that energy away.

Your dog may also be lacking enough mental stimulation. He needs to be challenged, or at least entertained. Does he have a variety of toys to play with? Do you take him on regular walks? Daily walks are your dog’s only way to experience the world. The sights, sounds, and smells he encounters keep his mind sharp and occupied. Being bored is another common reason dog behavior problems develop.

Does your dog trash the house when you’re away? This is a really common behavior problem and it’s due to separation anxiety. You need to get your dog used to being alone and understanding that you will come back – he is safe and he won’t be abandoned.

Or maybe your dog is turning into an aggressive animal, snarling at other dogs or even people if they come near. If that is the case, he is trying to protect something. His territory - or you. He’s not nasty – he’s doing what he thinks is his job. His instincts tell him someone has to be protector.

Beyond the lack of exercise and boredom (which are easily fixed), this last point brings us to perhaps the most basic and foundational factor in understanding why there could be issues leading to a need to correcting dog behavior problems. Perhaps the problem is you.

Your Dog’s Pack instinct

There is one other question you need to ask yourself. Does your dog have a stable pack leader? For the answer to that, you need to look at your own behavior. Do you calmly but firmly lead your dog - your pack - through his life? Do you enforce rules, or do you occasionally allow him to break them? Do you adequately provide for his needs? A dog who feels unstable and without leadership will often develop behavior issues as he tries to fill that gap by taking on leadership responsibilities himself.

As a dog owner, you have to have an understanding of pack mentality. Dogs are social animals. It is not in their nature to live alone. And, just as in human society, dog packs have a social structure.

A pack always has a leader. This is someone who is confident and calm. The pack trusts the leader, or alpha, to lead them safely through life. It is the alpha’s responsibility to make sure that the needs of the pack are met. This includes physical needs, such as finding or providing food and water, fending off threats as well as psychological needs.

The alpha maintains social stability within the pack. He (or she) enforces the rules. An alpha will correct a lower dog for breaking a rule. Dogs don’t do democracy. They need the structure of having a specific place in the pack. If the alpha is doing its job, a dog feels secure and understands its place and its role. In part two of this series on correcting dog behavior problems, we’ll discuss why ensuring you fulfill the alpha role is so important.

For a comprehensive resource covering all dog behavior issues and training solutions, we recommend Secrets To Dog training by Daniel Steven's.

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