Quck answer
Dogs are wonderful pets, but sometimes they can develop behavior problems that can be frustrating for both the dog and the owner. Here are some tips to help solve common dog behavior problems:
1. Identify the root cause of the behavior problem.
2. Be consistent in your training and discipline.
3. Use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior.
4. Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
5. Seek professional help if the problem persists or if the behavior is dangerous.
Remember, solving behavior problems in dogs takes time and patience. With the right approach and training, you can help your furry friend become a well-behaved and happy member of your family.
Pets
Most problems with dog behavior stem from communication issues between humans and dogs. It’s remarkable that we can live together despite being vastly different animals with distinct ways of experiencing the world. While natural behavior like chewing, scent-marking, and barking may not have been problematic for wild dogs, they can become problematic in domestic settings. Therefore, it’s necessary to teach dogs how to behave appropriately in society.
If your dog is displaying aggressive behavior, it could be due to various reasons, including territorial protection, pain, and reproductive urges. It’s essential to understand the cause of aggression to keep everyone safe. Fortunately, there are strategies to train your dog to be sociable and friendly.
Dog bites can occur for different reasons, such as anger, self-defense, playfulness, or love. Regardless of the motive, biting can be dangerous. Fortunately, there are methods to prevent your dog from biting people or other dogs.
Dogs have an inherent urge to chase fast-moving objects, and cars fall into this category. This behavior can put your dog in danger and frighten or confuse drivers. However, you can help your dog curb this habit with patience and training.
Chewing is a common behavior among young dogs, which can be painful when their teeth grow in. However, even adult dogs may chew inappropriately when bored or distressed. While chewing can be beneficial for your dog’s dental health, you can train them to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate objects.
While it’s not a pleasant topic, many dogs eat their feces or that of other animals. Coprophagy is more prevalent among younger dogs, but if an older dog is displaying this behavior, it could indicate a more severe problem. You can discourage your dog from this natural inclination by removing the temptation.
Preventing Excessive Digging in Dogs
Dogs have a natural inclination to dig, and some breeds have been specifically bred for this purpose. Although it may seem harmless, excessive digging can cause damage to your yard or even your neighbor’s property. Additionally, it can be messy when your dog tracks mud into your home. If you are frustrated with your dog’s digging habits, this section provides tips on how to discourage this behavior.
Curbing Fighting Behavior in Dogs
Dogs are territorial animals and have a strong sense of hierarchy within their social groups. Dominance is crucial in their society, and many behavior issues can stem from the way a dog perceives their position in the household. If your dog believes they are the alpha male, they may exhibit aggressive behavior to assert their dominance. This can lead to dangerous and frightening fights. In this section, we discuss the reasons behind this behavior and how to prevent or stop it.
Stopping Excessive Guarding in Dogs
If your dog growls when you try to take away their food or toys, it may be a sign of excessive guarding behavior. While it is natural for dogs to guard their possessions, it can become a compulsive behavior that poses a risk to both the dog and their owner. In this section, we offer solutions to this problem, including changing the owner’s behavior and training the dog to be less possessive.
Preventing Jumping Behavior in Dogs
Although some owners enjoy their dog’s enthusiastic greetings, jumping can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and even dangerous for some guests. It’s important to teach your dog appropriate behavior and avoid situations where they may jump on others. You can train your dog to jump on command, which can be a fun trick. This section provides guidance on how to prevent and train your dog to jump appropriately.
Preventing Excessive Territory Marking in Dogs
Dogs have a natural instinct to mark their territory, but this behavior can become problematic when it is excessive or stressful. With proper training and regulation, you can teach your dog to mark their territory only in appropriate places. Although marking is an ingrained behavior, it can be controlled with consistent training. This section offers advice on how to manage your dog’s marking behavior.
Preventing Leash Pulling in Dogs
Due to their history of being used as sled and pack pullers, dogs have a natural tendency to pull on a leash. However, some dogs pull so hard that it affects their breathing. While it may not be possible to completely stop this behavior, there are ways to train your dog to minimize leash pulling. Depending on your dog’s breed, this section offers various solutions to this problem.
It’s important to note that an aggressive dog doesn’t necessarily mean a violent or angry one. Read on to the next section to learn how to handle aggressive behavior in dogs.
Managing Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
Aggression is a common reason why a healthy dog is put to sleep. Despite their perception as lovable pets, dogs are predators that can cause serious, even fatal injuries. Thus, a truly aggressive dog can be terrifying.
To determine whether or not your dog is aggressive, it’s important to understand the definition of aggression in the field of animal behavior. Additionally, what might be considered aggressive to humans may be normal behavior for a dog. For example, play is viewed as practice for real-life skills, so behaviors such as stalking, chasing, hunting, and even killing are not unusual during dog play.
You can determine whether or not your dog is displaying aggressive behavior by observing their facial expression and sounds. If your dog has a relaxed, open-jawed expression with wide-open eyes, it’s likely that they’re playing. However, if your dog is snarling and barking loudly, it’s a sign of aggression. Additionally, if the roles suddenly reverse during a chase, it’s likely that the behavior is playful.
There are several reasons why your dog may display aggressive behavior. Defensive aggression, for example, is when a dog feels threatened and bites as a form of self-protection. Territorial aggression occurs when a dog defends their territory, including their home, possessions, food, and people.
Territorial aggression can escalate quickly, from minor behaviors such as jumping or marking territory, to serious biting incidents. It is important to establish a good dominance relationship with your dog to prevent this behavior. If your dog feels secure with you as the dominant figure, he will not feel the need to defend his territory against friendly visitors. However, he will still protect you and your home when necessary.
Agonistic aggression can occur when a dog is sick, injured, or aging. They may feel vulnerable and lash out in self-defense. It is important to pay attention to sudden changes in behavior and seek veterinary care if needed.
Reproductive aggression is triggered by the drive to reproduce and can cause dogs to fight with other dogs and even family members. The solution is to neuter or spay your dog before they reach six months old.
Aggressive behavior should not be ignored or dismissed. If your dog is exhibiting serious attacks without warning or provocation, seek veterinary care immediately. While aggression can sometimes be related to physical problems, it is usually a behavioral issue. Biting is a common form of aggression in dogs and will be covered in the next section.
Dealing with Dogs that Bite
Every year, half a million to one million dog-bite injuries are reported. Children under 12 are the most common victims (60% of total), and the top five offending breeds are Chow Chows, Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, Cocker Spaniels, and Dalmatians. Unneutered male dogs are the most likely to bite in the general dog population. This does not mean you should never have a bite-prone breed, but it does mean you need to understand why and when dogs bite and take steps to bite-proof your household.
Preventing Dog Bites
If you encounter a dog showing threatening behavior, your response can mean the difference between escaping harm and getting bitten. Any dog can bite, so don’t assume that a growling dog you know won’t hurt you. Similarly, don’t assume an unfamiliar dog who isn’t threatening is friendly. Children are at highest risk for dog bites, so teach them these basic techniques and practice them with them.
The most important rule is to never approach a strange dog. If a dog approaches you, don’t run. Stand still with your fists under your chin and elbows close to your body. Keep your legs together and look straight ahead, not at the dog. If you are on the ground when the dog approaches, roll onto your stomach with your fists behind your neck and arms covering your ears. Stay still until the dog leaves.
Over half of reported dog-bite cases are provoked by the victim, often unintentionally. Dogs usually give signals when they’re ready to bite, but people who don’t know how to recognize them miss them. The most common scenario involves a person or child who misses the dog’s warning and gets too close. Miscommunication is another cause, such as when a child screams and runs away from a stray dog, triggering the dog’s chase reflex or play behavior.
Dogs often display specific body language when they are ready to bite, including staring, bared teeth, growling, a stiff-legged stance, raised hackles, and a wagging tail with a stiff, rapid movement. At this point, the dog may give a more intense stare and deeper growling, and when the head is lowered and the ears go back, a bite is likely imminent. It is important to avoid reaching this point and back off early. However, if a dog is your own and exhibiting biting behavior, it may require professional help from a trained behaviorist to identify the root cause and develop a strategy to change the behavior. This could include exercise, socializing, and setting boundaries. Car chasing is another common problem that can be dangerous for both the dog and others. The reasons for car chasing can vary, but it is important to teach the dog when chasing is acceptable and to understand the motive behind the behavior. In some cases, introducing the dog to the object of its chase can help alleviate the problem.
Leashing or creating a distraction such as an unpleasant noise can interrupt predatory chasing behavior in dogs. Once the chase has been interrupted, reinforce the positive behavior with praise and occasionally treats. Keeping a dog safely fenced or leashed is the best method to prevent chasing cars. Dogs that view cars as wayward sheep can be given constructive activities to channel their herding instincts such as long walks, runs, and playing games like Frisbee. Herding dogs like Collies and Shelties are best suited for herding trials as it’s what they were bred to do. If you’re considering adopting a herding breed, be prepared to invest a lot of time in keeping them busy. If your dog chews on items they shouldn’t, put away items with your scent on them. Chewing is a natural part of dog behavior and is also important for puppies during teething. It’s important to teach your dog what they can chew on and what they can’t. Never give a dog old shoes or clothing to chew on as they will retain your scent and be unable to differentiate between what’s acceptable to chew and what’s not. Veterinary attention is usually not required for these types of behaviors.
To make your dog’s chew toys more appealing, try rubbing something tasty on the outside of rubber balls or stuffing treats inside of hollow toys. If your dog seems to prefer items with your scent on them, put chew toys in the laundry hamper for a day or two before giving them to your dog. Always provide appropriate toys for your dog and praise them for chewing on them. Keep a chew toy within reach and replace any inappropriate items with a toy, immediately praising your dog for chewing on the correct item. Large knucklebones or thigh bones are safe for dogs to chew on, but small bones or those that could splinter easily should be avoided. Some dogs may continue to chew throughout their lives, especially if they spend a lot of time alone. Providing a variety of toys and exercising your dog regularly can help alleviate boredom and anxiety. Before attempting any corrections, have your vet examine your dog to rule out any physical causes for destructive chewing. To prevent chewing, keep nonchewable items out of your dog’s reach or confine them to a crate or kennel. Applying an unpleasant-tasting substance to furniture legs or using double-sided tape on upholstery can also discourage chewing.
If your dog chews on something inappropriate, you should correct them only when you catch them in the act. You should never punish them after the fact, as they will only react to your anger and not understand why they are being reprimanded. Instead, take away the incorrect item as soon as possible and replace it with a chew toy. You can also use a shaker can or other distraction to interrupt the unwanted chewing. Finally, praise your dog lavishly for chewing on the correct item.
Dogs may eat their own feces or that of other animals, which is known as coprophagy. While this is a disgusting habit, it can be a natural and normal act in some circumstances. For example, mother dogs lick their newborn puppies to stimulate urination and defecation, and then clean them up. In other cases, dogs may eat stool because of boredom or loneliness, or because they have learned that the presence of stool sometimes results in punishment. While coprophagy does not present any problem for dogs, it is an aesthetic issue for owners.
To prevent coprophagy, you can give your dog more attention and exercise, rotate their toys, and feed them more than once a day. You should also pick up after your dog immediately and keep cat litter boxes out of reach. If you notice your dog eating stool, you should take them to the vet to rule out any physical causes such as parasites or nutritional deficiencies. Adding brewer’s yeast or pumpkin to their diet can also be beneficial. In some cases, switching to a food with more fat, fiber, or protein may be necessary.
Dogs who dig too much can be just as frustrating and damaging as dogs who chew excessively. In the upcoming section, you will discover ways to prevent your dog from digging excessively. Digging is a natural behavior for dogs, and they do it for various reasons. For instance, terriers do it because it’s in their genes to dig out burrows and hunt for pests like rats and badgers. Other dogs dig to create a sleeping spot, hide food, make a safe hiding place, or to alleviate boredom. Some dogs dig just for the fun of it. If your dog has started digging up your garden or digging holes in your furniture, try to understand why they’re doing it. Once you know the reason, you can take steps to change the behavior. For dogs that have been bred to dig, you can give them a designated area to dig in, like a sandbox or a patch of dirt. It’s essential to encourage them to dig there and praise them when they do. You can also provide more shade or a cooler spot for your dog to lie down in if they’re digging to beat the heat. If your dog is trying to escape, you can put concrete or wire beneath your fence to keep them from digging out. Neutering or spaying can also help prevent escape. If your dog is anxious or nervous, providing shelter, like a doghouse or a shed, can help them feel more secure. When you catch your dog digging where they’re not supposed to, use distraction techniques like giving them a toy or playing their favorite game. Never correct them after the fact, as it only confuses and makes them anxious. Digging behavior usually doesn’t require veterinary attention. In the next section, we’ll discuss how to stop excessive fighting in dogs.
Preventing Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
Dogs engage in fights to establish dominance, defend territory, protect their food, and sometimes out of fear or as a preemptive strike against a dog who has attacked them in the past. However, a neutered or spayed dog who has been socialized well since their formative weeks has the best chance of avoiding fights. Nevertheless, there are steps you can take to control a fighting dog.
Your reaction to other dogs determines how your dog will react. If you are uneasy around other dogs, your dog will sense it and view them as a threat. So, keep a loose leash, continue walking, and maintain a positive conversation. Your dog should see other dogs as normal, not negative.
Obedience training is crucial for every dog, especially for those prone to fighting. When another dog approaches, make your dog perform an obedience routine or a different activity to divert their attention from the other dog and focus on you. If your dog growls or barks at the new arrival, you can correct them for failing to follow commands, not for the other dog’s approach.
Reproduction is a significant driving force behind territorial and aggressive fighting. To control and prevent fighting, neutering male dogs is a must. Female dogs can also be aggressive, so spaying them is essential. In fact, neutering and spaying have long-term benefits for a dog’s health and behavior.
When to Seek Help from a Behaviorist
Dogs are not equal, especially when it comes to dominance. If there is fighting between two dogs in your household, they may be trying to establish dominance. A behaviorist can help you understand what is happening and offer solutions. Remember, being dominant or submissive is normal for dogs, and it’s okay if they don’t treat each other as equals. Correcting a dog’s behavior sometimes means thinking like a dog.
If your dog growls when you approach their food or bones, it can be a problem. In the next section, we’ll discuss how to fix excessive guarding behavior.
Preventing a Dog from Overprotecting Food
A dog’s natural instinct is to guard his food, but as his owner, it’s important for you to have full control over what he eats. This is crucial for his safety, as you need to be able to take away anything dangerous or harmful from him if necessary. It’s also a matter of dominance: when your dog recognizes and obeys your commands regarding his food, he is acknowledging you as the leader. Food guarding can also be a trigger for dog bites, so it’s best to establish your authority over mealtimes as soon as possible.
If your dog is a puppy, it’s important to teach him that everything he gets comes from you, including food, toys, and even affection. Make him sit or lie down before feeding him and make him wait for your signal before he starts eating. If he seeks attention, use the same tactic to initiate interaction. It’s also important for your dog to learn that it’s okay for you to touch him while he eats, so pat him when you place his dish and add food to it while he’s eating. This will create a positive association between you and his food dish.
The location where you feed your dog matters, too. If he eats in a corner, he may feel more possessive than if he’s in a more open area. Practice giving him small portions of food at a time and take his dish away after each serving, replacing it with another small portion until he’s finished. Praise him for being a good dog each time you take away and replace his dish. Once he’s comfortable with this, try adding something special to his dish while he’s eating, such as a piece of hot dog or liver treat.
Remember, the goal here is for you to maintain control over your dog’s eating habits. Practice these techniques regularly to establish your dominance and avoid any issues with food guarding. Most importantly, never disturb your dog while he’s eating. Teach everyone in your household, especially children, to leave him alone during mealtimes.
Protecting Personal Possessions
Lisa, a single working mother of two children aged 4 and 7, adopted Hugo, a dog from the shelter to keep her children company and protect the house. Hugo is a friendly dog who gets along well with the children, but he growls and shows his teeth when they try to take his toys. Lisa expressed her confusion to the behaviorist, “I don’t understand why he growls at my kids when they come into the room where he’s playing with his toys. He even fetches a ball for them to throw, chases it and then snarls when he brings it back!”
A possessive dog is trying to communicate something, and it is essential to comprehend the message. In Lisa’s case, part of the problem was a misunderstanding about the game. Hugo enjoyed playing fetch, but after a few rounds of chasing a tennis ball, he wanted to lie down and chew on it. The children thought that his lying down was part of the game and would take the ball away and toss it again. Hugo learned that the only way to stop the game was to act aggressively.
In other situations, it may be a matter of dominance. Using the same approaches as for food guarding can be beneficial, but owners must also be assertive in other ways. Keeping the dog on a leash, even inside the house, sends a clear message that you are in control, and everything is okay. Train your dog to obey, and when he starts guarding a toy, give him a command that changes the focus from the toy to the behavior required. Praise him when he responds to the command, even if you had to correct him or use the leash to get him to do it. As part of obedience training, every dog should have a command to stop him from picking something up or dropping something already in his mouth. Examples of this command are “Drop it!,” “Leave it!,” “Don’t touch!,” and “Out!”
If a particular toy provokes possessiveness in your dog, eliminate it. Bones are particularly likely to turn even the friendliest dogs into jealous, possessive beasts. If your dog cannot handle them or certain other toys, do not give them to your dog. When your dog does something right, do not forget to reward him with praise. Anytime your dog turns away from a toy to respond to a command or lets you take something away, tell him what a great dog he is. The amount of praise should always be greater than the number of corrections.
When to Consult a Behaviorist
If your dog’s guarding behavior becomes a persistent problem, an animal behaviorist can recommend the appropriate treatment. Once a solution has been found, make sure every household member understands how to address the issue.
Even if you enjoy it when your dog jumps up to greet you after a long day, some of your house guests might not. In the following section, we will learn how to keep your dog on the ground.
Preventing a Dog from Jumping Up
Jumping up is a common problem in dogs, whether it’s a playful big breed or a tiny pooch. While it may seem cute when they’re puppies, it can become hazardous as they grow older, especially if they’re large dogs. Although it may be a friendly gesture, it’s often a sign of dominance in adult dogs. Therefore, it’s essential to teach your dog that jumping up is unacceptable and train them to jump up on command.
If your dog jumps up spontaneously, try to remain calm and composed. Instead of making a big deal out of it, make it a part of your routine. When you come home, walk in calmly and greet your dog in a relaxed manner away from the front door. If your dog jumps up, avoid giving them any attention. Yelling or pushing them away may only excite them more, so it’s best to ignore them. Encourage your dog to sit and reward them with treats or praise.
When to Seek Veterinary Help
Jumping up is a behavioral issue that generally doesn’t require veterinary attention.
Another common issue in dogs is marking their territory, which is covered in the next section.
Teaching Your Dog to Jump Up on Command
If you want to teach your dog to jump up on command, ensure that they know when not to jump up first. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, and make sure your dog’s nails are trimmed. Pat your chest and say “Up!” to encourage your dog to jump up. When you want them to get down, step back and say “Off!” Avoid using the word “down” since it can be confusing when you try to teach them the down command.
To communicate effectively with your dog, use the chest pat and the word “up” when greeting. If your dog jumps up uninvited, firmly say “off” and ignore him. Consistency is key, so make sure everyone in your household follows the same routine. Dogs thrive on rules and structure.
Scent-marking is a natural behavior for dogs, but it can be controlled by training. Establish your dominance by obedience training in a positive and humane manner. Make your dog work for rewards and follow commands. Neutering can also prevent territorial marking. Separation anxiety may trigger spraying, so gradually get your dog used to being alone. To prevent furniture spraying, attach a piece of foil to the area your dog likes to mark.
It’s important to differentiate scent-marking from a housebreaking issue. A large pool of urine on the floor or near the back door is likely a sign that the dog needed to go outside while you were away, not a show of dominance. If you’re having a problem with your dog’s behavior, it’s best to have your vet examine them before attempting any corrections. If there’s a physical cause behind the behavior, it won’t be remedied by training or correction. Dogs have a tendency to pull on their leashes, and while it’s typical, excessive pulling ought to be corrected. A simple experiment can be conducted to determine if your dog is naturally inclined to pull. Gently push the front of their neck or chest, and if they lean into the pressure, they’re a natural puller. Breeds like the Siberian Husky and Newfoundland were originally bred to be draft animals, so they’re likely to be stubborn. Teaching your dog how to walk nicely on a leash from the beginning can go a long way. You don’t have to expect them to walk perfectly on heel, but they should be able to walk with you without pulling and make all the same starts, stops, and turns as you. A jewel-link training collar can be used to correct pulling behavior by giving a quick snap and release on the leash when they start to pull and saying “Heel” or “Slow.” Praise them when they back off. Another option is a head collar, such as the Gentle Leader, which loops around the dog’s muzzle and behind their ears, with the leash snapping on under their chin. A retractable leash can also be useful to control pulling. If your dog is a sled dog or draft breed, let them pull you on skates, skis, a sled, or a dog-size cart instead of fighting their natural instinct. This behavior typically doesn’t require veterinary attention.
Managing Your Dog’s Behavior
If you’re struggling with your dog’s behavior, don’t worry. We’ve identified 11 common problem behaviors and provided tips on how to train your dog to overcome them. With these tools, you’ll have the confidence to help your furry friend shed bad habits and become a well-behaved companion. Best of luck!
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FAQ
1. What are some common dog behavior problems?
Some common dog behavior problems include aggression, separation anxiety, excessive barking, jumping on people, chewing on household items, and digging. These behaviors can be frustrating and even dangerous, so it’s important to address them as soon as possible.
2. How can I prevent my dog from chewing on things he shouldn’t?
One way to prevent your dog from chewing on household items is to provide him with plenty of appropriate chew toys. You can also try keeping him in a crate or an area of the house where he can’t access things he shouldn’t chew on. Additionally, make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
3. What should I do if my dog is aggressive towards other dogs or people?
If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs or people, it’s important to seek professional help from a dog trainer or behaviorist. They can assess the situation and provide you with specific strategies for addressing your dog’s aggression. It’s important to never punish or physically harm your dog for aggressive behavior, as this can make the situation worse.
4. How can I stop my dog from jumping on people?
To stop your dog from jumping on people, you can try teaching him alternate behaviors such as sitting or lying down. You can also try ignoring your dog when he jumps on you and only giving him attention when all four paws are on the ground. Consistency is key, so make sure everyone in your household is using the same training techniques.
5. What can I do if my dog has separation anxiety?
If your dog has separation anxiety, it’s important to gradually acclimate him to being alone. Start by leaving him alone for short periods of time and gradually increasing the duration. You can also try providing him with calming treats or playing soothing music while you’re away. In severe cases, medication prescribed by a veterinarian may be necessary.
6. How can I prevent my dog from barking excessively?
To prevent your dog from barking excessively, it’s important to identify the cause of the barking. Is your dog bored? Anxious? Territorial? Once you’ve identified the cause, you can work on addressing it. For example, if your dog is barking out of boredom, make sure he’s getting enough exercise and mental stimulation. You can also try teaching him a “quiet” command and rewarding him when he stops barking.
7. What should I do if my dog is constantly digging up my yard?
If your dog is constantly digging up your yard, it’s important to provide him with a designated digging area. This can be a sandbox or a specific area of the yard where he’s allowed to dig. You can also try providing him with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. If the behavior continues, you may need to seek professional help from a dog trainer or behaviorist.
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