Dog Behavior Issues

Dogs can develop bad habits. And these habits will continue until you teach your dog that they are not acceptable. Here are a few tips to help you keep your dog on his best behavior.

Begging

Don't feed your dog from the table. When you are sitting down for a meal, put your dog in a "down" position at your feet or give him a chew toy and put him in his crate.

Barking

Some breeds of dogs are predisposed to barking because of their breed instincts. One type of bark that is good for your peace of mind is "alarm barking," such as when someone knocks on your door. Your dog naturally wants to protect his home. But after a few barks, you need to teach him to stop. The best way to do this is to keep a leash attached to his collar, and after allowing him to bark several times, say "enough" or "quiet" and pop the leash to get his attention. When he stops, say "good boy" and offer him praise or a treat. The more you practice this, the quicker you will gain control.

Jumping

First, be sure you are not giving your dog your permission to jump on you unintentionally. Don't allow him to put his feet on you when you're dressed casually and then expect him to not jump on you when you're in your business attire. Train him on a leash. Talk sweetly to him and watch closely for when he starts to jump. (In this case, you're encouraging your dog to jump up so you can teach him that it is undesirable behavior.) When he starts to jump, pop the leash away and down toward the ground as you say "off." When he's off, tell him to sit. Then praise him. In teaching him this way, you show him that the best way to get attention from you is to sit, not jump.

Chewing

Puppies may teethe for up to six months. If your dog is older than this, chewing problems are usually due to boredom, stress or lack of exercise. Be sure to give your dog plenty of safe chew toys to satisfy his urge to chew. Nylon bones or sterilized bones are good for this. To get him interested in his new bone, stuff a treat inside the bone and he will work to get the treat out. Praise him when he gets the treat out and starts chewing the bone. If you catch your dog chewing on something inappropriate, tell him "no!" in a calm, authoritative tone, and redirect his chewing to an appropriate chewing toy. Then praise him. It's best to confine him to his crate when you're gone, so he won't be tempted to chew on something that's "off-limits."

Housebreaking Accidents

When your dog makers a mistake, don't scold or "rub his nose in it" after the fact. Your dog won't understand why he's being punished. If your dog has regular accidents, retrain him. Feed him at the same time each day and walk him 30 minutes after he eats. When you leave the house, confine him to a crate or block off a small area with a dog gate. Consult your veterinarian about specific guidelines for housebreaking.

Fearing People

You want your dog to be social, so expose him to strangers. Have your dog sit and stay while the stranger sits quietly at a distance. Praise your dog lavishly for staying calm, and provide him a treat. Gradually, move the person closer, and stop the session while your dog is still calm and continue again at another time. Also, remember if you have a timid dog, never shout, and avoid over-comforting. You want him to learn independence.

Biting

Dogs may bite because they want to be dominant, or because they are injured or nervous. To avoid biting, don't play rough or participate in teasing games. Also, train your dog. A dog who obeys commands will be less likely to bite out of fear. And importantly, don't isolate your dog - it's important for dogs to be around people, or they won't socialize.