Dogs do not divide behaviour into our human 'bad’ and 'good’ behaviours. They behave as they are most comfortable. For example, when you encounter a dog biting a table leg and you interest him in a treat to make him stop, next time he will think: „to get a treat all I have to do is chew some furniture”.
A dog’s behavioural problems may result from its owner’s failure to understand its behaviour. Sometimes, the carer fails to communicate in a way that the dog understands what behaviour he expects from it. Problems can also be exacerbated by a lack of consistency if you allow your dog to behave in a certain way at one time and not at another.
Read our article and learn how to deal with the most common dog behavioural problems. Remember, if you don’t know how to work with your dog, seek help from a behaviourist or trainer.
Dog behaviour problems often stem from boredom
A typical cause of a dog’s behaviour problems can simply be too little activity during the day. This doesn’t necessarily mean a walk or a simple run. Some dogs need mental work and more challenging exercise. If these are missing, they will start to find their activities and so end up destroying furniture or digging in the garden, or even trying to escape.
As a carer, you are responsible for this. You should provide for your pet’s needs, including plenty of walks, exercise and entertainment. To make sure your dog is getting the right amount of exercise throughout the day, observe him.
Try to identify moments when your dog is prone to undesirable behaviour and take action to help him get rid of one habit or another. For example, you can introduce an extra half hour of exercise into your daily schedule.
Dog behaviour problems are often caused by boredom
A typical cause of a dog’s behaviour problems is simply too little activity during the day. This doesn’t necessarily mean a walk or a simple run. Some dogs need mental work and more challenging exercise. If these are missing, they will start looking for activities of their own and so will end up destroying furniture or digging in the garden, or even trying to escape.
As a carer, you are responsible for this. You should provide for your pet’s needs, including plenty of walks, exercise and entertainment. To make sure your dog is getting the right amount of exercise throughout the day, observe him.
Try to identify moments when your dog is prone to undesirable behaviour and take action to help him get rid of one habit or another. For example, you can introduce an extra half hour of exercise into your daily schedule.
Act or wait for it to go away?
When you notice undesirable behaviour in your dog, take steps to eliminate it straight away. The longer you delay reacting and turn a blind eye, the harder it will be to work towards change. Some undesirable behaviours develop to the point where they can be unbearable for carers. If you suspect that your dog may need help that you cannot provide on your own, do not hesitate to seek the help of a professional trainer.
The most common behavioural problems of dogs:
- Aggression
- Excessive barking and whining
- Begging
- Biting and destroying
- Jumping on people
- Playing too hard
- Separation anxiety
- Stealing food, items of clothing and other objects
- Urination
Aggression
Aggression is not just a strong, open attack. It can also be some subtle but equally dangerous behaviour.
Does your dog show his teeth when you reach for his collar to force him off the bed? Does he stand by his bowl or toys and guard them? Are your walks more and more difficult because you avoid meeting other dogs because you don’t know how your pet will behave? Such behaviour is a manifestation of a tendency towards aggression and may one day lead to biting. How can you cope? Setting boundaries, rewarding only correct behaviour, not reacting with emotions and also analysing the dog’s diet (for protein content) will help.
A common mistake is stroking and cuddling a dog that is stressed out, e.g. at the vet’s, afraid of another dog, humans and noise. For a human, stroking may seem soothing, but for a dog, it is a reward for what it is currently doing, e.g. barking or growling or getting very upset. It is a message to him: „good, more, keep doing that!”.
Of course, setting boundaries with an aggressive dog can lead to an increase in aggression. There is no other solution here: due to the possibility of the dog causing harm, you should immediately start working with a professional trainer.
Barking or whining
The most important thing to know is that barking is completely natural and even quite pleasant for your dog. However, if you find your dog’s increasing barking or whining intolerable, try not to respond to it in the same way.
Do not shout or verbally abuse your dog. The dog understands this as an encouragement to be even louder. If you give him treats and toys to make him stop barking, you are rewarding him for what he is currently doing. Your pet will learn that barking will get your attention.
You can teach your dog the commands „silence” and „give voice”. It is usually easier to teach your dog to give voice on command first once he has barked. Praise him, combining this with a command and a treat that will force him to be quiet as he will have to chew and swallow it. When he finally quiets down, combine this moment with praising him and the command for silence and reward him again.
Begging
This habit is better prevented than unlearned. So teach your dog to stay in his place, in another room or his kennel cage during your meal. You can then leave him his favourite chew. Only let him out when you have finished eating. It is very important to be consistent here because once your dog has convinced himself that he can accompany you at meal times, it will be more difficult to get him to stop begging. All family members should be patient with your dog’s loud barking or whining for as long as necessary. Only let your dog out when it has calmed down.
Destruction of objects
All dogs need to use chews. This is a fact, and it’s a good idea to stock up on specially designed toys or ingredients for your dog’s diet. If your dog chews on household furnishings while you’re away, it’s best to restrict his free movement around the house. You can designate one room for your pet or set up a kennel cage and leave him to chew. Your dog will be able to satisfy his need to chew, while not being able to choose among the objects in your house. If he’s not interested in the chew, try a different one until you find the perfect one.
Jumping on people
A dog is unable to jump on someone when they are sitting, lying down or otherwise prevented from doing so (such as when they are in a kennel cage). Replacement behaviour is often easier to manage than a simple 'must not’ ban. Ask for support from a family member or friend to help you get rid of this behaviour in your dog. Put your dog on a leash and have your helper press the doorbell.
Walk up to the door with your dog and give him the command to sit. As soon as he sits, open the door. Once inside, ask the person to give the dog the command to sit again and reward it with a treat as soon as it sits.
However, if the dog will not sit, the helper should turn his back on the dog for a moment. Correct the dog with the leash if it wants to keep jumping. Give the dog the command to sit and make sure it does so. Once the dog obeys the command, your helper can turn back and repeat the command.
Repeat this action until complete obedience is achieved in your dog. Many attempts may be needed over a long period. The dog should learn that it will only be able to say hello when it is not jumping. Then spending time together with your visiting friends and family will be enjoyable for everyone.
Playing too hard
It is essential to immediately stop playing when it becomes too intense. To calm a dog that is playing with you in this way, stop moving and making sounds. Keep your hands and arms close to your body. Be as still as possible, even if the dog starts jumping on you. If the dog is playing like this with other people, get them to stop moving without paying any attention to the dog.
When the dog has calmed down enough to interact with you without getting excited about playing with him again, take him or lead him to his bed, to the room where he sleeps or to his kennel cage. Allow him to spend an extended period there as a consequence of this behaviour. Play is only acceptable if it is under control.
Separation anxiety
This is a term used to describe the uncontrollable behaviour of a dog that, when left alone, tries to destroy its surroundings, barks and whines uncontrollably. To combat such reactions in your dog, get him used to you going out and coming back in, initially using the principle of small steps in action and making positive associations associated with your going out.
How to act? Without going overboard with your plan to leave, without unnecessary words, commands, saying your dog’s name, etc., simply leave the house. Beforehand, put your dog in a kennel cage or its place in a closed room, accompanied by toys and chews. You can put on some quiet music. Once out, go around the house quietly listening to what the dog is doing and try not to give away your presence.
In case you live in a flat, simply go out in front of the front door, simulate the familiar sounds associated with your dog leaving the flat (keys, door, staircase, footsteps, etc.) pretending that you are leaving, but remain silently just outside the door. Wait a few moments.
If he starts to get nervous after you leave, give him a chance to calm down on his own. If the dog is quiet and you have been gone for at least 5 minutes, return acting as if nothing has happened or changed. Put your things away and calmly, quietly greet the dog. Do not run to him, hug or kiss him. Put on his collar and leash and take him for a walk, just as if you had returned from a long absence. Let the dog see that you came back to take care of his needs.
Repeat this several times a day for several days or weeks, each time increasing the length of time you are away. Increase the chances of success by leaving toys out, and making sure your dog has comfortable lighting, the right room temperature, is comfortable and feels safe. If you leave your dog locked in a room make sure that there is nothing there that can become a bite for him despite your wishes.
If, despite many attempts, you find that the results are poor, consult a trained dog trainer. Also, consult your vet so that the work on your dog’s behaviour has the best possible foundation both in terms of obedience and health. For some dogs, tranquillizers are prescribed.
Theft of food, items of clothing and other items
Theft is, fortunately, a problem with a fairly easy solution, as your dog won’t steal what he can’t reach. This means that the entire burden of responsibility is on you alone. You must be constantly vigilant when keeping an eye out for things that could fall prey to your dog: the contents of rubbish bins, leftover food left somewhere in the flat and within your dog’s reach, open cupboard doors, etc.
Give your dog no access to objects that are not intended for him, but provide him with an appropriate amount of chews and other dog toys at the same time. Play with your dog using them, so that he enjoys such play and associates it only with these toys. If he happens to take something forbidden – do not chase him, otherwise, you are communicating to him the desire to participate in his play.
Call him to you or walk towards him with an even, emotionless step and praise the dog. Say a command at which the dog will release what he has stolen and is holding in his mouth. If you sense aggression building up in your dog in this situation – be cautious and contact a trainer or behaviourist.
Submissive urination
When you come home and are greeted by your dog, does he happen to squat down and wet and urinate? If so, you are dealing with submissive wetting in your dog. To start with, visit your vet and see if the root of the problem is a health issue. If this is ruled out, take action by putting your dog in confinement you can easily clean up (a kennel cage or a closed room). When you approach him after some time away to say hello, do so with as little emotion as possible.
If the problem has been going on for some time, your attitude towards your dog is likely reluctant, anxious or suspicious. The dog reads this easily and also becomes anxious. Pretend that your dog is a strange animal that you need to take outside calmly and gently, but efficiently, so that it has a chance to settle its need right outside. If he happens to wet himself while going out – don’t react.
Be consistent. Each time you let your dog do his business outside, come back and lock him in his crate or his room and only then do the cleaning. It is important not to react emotionally until there is a noticeable improvement. Calmness and composure are most important.
Summary
Training your dog must be based on the knowledge that he has his character. The advice posted here may work for many dogs, but it may not work for you. Always seek information and solutions from different sources and don’t give up. Contact and talk to other dog owners. When trying to determine the source of your dog’s problems try to observe him as objectively as possible. This will allow you to determine what is causing the problem. Involve your household members in working together to eliminate your dog’s behaviour problems. If you are unable to deal with your dog’s behaviour on your own, seek help from specialists and trainers. Use all the resources at your disposal to ensure that you help your best friend. Your responsibility towards him will be rewarded with your pet’s love and trust.
