How To Handle Dog Behavior Problems

Dogs, like humans, can develop bad habits. Puppies probably will if they don’t get dog obedience training but older dogs can also develop behavior problems. Regardless of your pet’s age, you should work to correct your dog behavior problems as soon as they begin to develop. Here are some of the more common challenges dog owners may face.

(We recommend this 260 page dog training reference if you are dealing with dog behavior issues and are looking for help in fixing your dog's behavior.)
 
Biting is a common behavior problem for puppies but it needs to be corrected before puppy becomes an adult. Some dogs bite as they play, and your adult dog may accidentally hurt someone. If you adopted an older dog, or your adult dog has developed this bad habit, it is best to correct it immediately.

If your dog begins to gnaw on your hand, resist the urge to pull it away. A puppy will think this is a game and he will chase your hand. Keep your hand still. When the biting begins to hurt, make a sharp sound. Try yelling “ouch!” Your puppy will be startled, and will move away. Instantly reward him with praise for letting your hand go. This is the way dogs communicate to each other when play gets too rough. If one hurts the other, you hear a loud yelp and the activity immediately stops. Very simple to use this natural technique to cure a biting behavior.

Chances are your puppy will soften his bites. It is now time to show him that you don’t like that either. Gradually decrease your tolerance for bites. When the puppy bites, even if it no longer hurts, say “ouch!” and reward him for backing away. He will bite more softly until he gets the idea that you don’t want him biting you at all.

Barking

If your dog has become a habitual barker, you’ll want to teach him to be quiet before your neighbors call animal control! First, don’t get excited in situations where your dog is likely to bark. This will only encourage him. Interrupt his barking with another command and then reward.

It is also important that you teach your dog to stop barking on command. As you interrupt his barking, try saying something like “quiet” or “no bark.” He will begin associating that word with the noise you are making, and will understand that it means you want him to be quiet. (Check out stop barking techniques for more detail.)

Jumping Up

Many people won’t pay attention to the tiny Yorkie standing up on their leg. But if your 75 pound German Shepherd knocks you over whenever you enter a room, it can be a problem. Dogs jump for attention. It is their way of saying “here I am! Pet me!”

The best way to correct this behavior is to completely ignore your dog. Remember that he wants your attention. He doesn’t care if it’s positive or negative. When you push him down or tell him to get off, he thinks “she noticed me! I should jump again!” When your dog jumps, turn away. Once your back is turned, he’ll probably move around you to try again. Turn your back again. Keep this up until he has settled down and stands (or sits) in front of you. Now it’s time to reward him by giving him the attention he wanted. He’ll quickly learn that you notice him when he is waiting patiently, not when he is jumping on you. This technique also works well on other behaviors, such as begging and whining. Jumping up, begging and whining can be cute for awhile, but if left unchecked, they can develop into annoying dog behavior problems.

Chewing

Chewing, for a dog, is instinct. He may be bored, or he may just enjoy having something in his mouth. With behaviors such as this, it is much easier to teach a dog where to chew than it is to teach him not to chew. If your dog is a chewer, you want to teach him to gnaw on his bone, not on your couch.

To do this, you have to be able to catch your dog in the act of chewing. You may have to follow him around the house for awhile. As soon as he begins biting at the corner of your couch, shout “no!” to startle him. It is important that your yell stops the behavior. Once he’s released the couch, reward him with praise, and give him one of his own toys. Replace the furniture with a toy every time you see him chewing. If you come into a room and he is happily chewing on his bone, praise him for getting it right.

It will be helpful if you have a variety of toys and bones for your dog to chew on. He chews to be entertained, so he won’t want the same old rope every day. Remember, a tennis ball and a rawhide bone cost much less than a new sofa.

Digging

You may want to try this strategy if your dog is a digger. Invest in a sandbox or fill a child’s pool with dirt. When you catch your dog digging in the yard, correct him with a yell and move him to his box. Praise him when he starts to dig in the correct spot. Your rose bushes will be much safer if your dog has a designated digging area.

Correcting dog behavior problems can be extremely frustrating, particularly if the behavior is well established. Behavior problems should be addressed immediately and with consistency. But the good news is, the above behavior problems are common in dogs and the methods for correction are well established. Applied properly, they work.

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