Dog Behavior

How to Solve Dog Behavior Problems With Latest Training Techniques

Your dog can indeed be the most endearing of pets. They can be fierce and fearless like the captain of the A-Team, letting no stranger get near your property and still be the charming pooch when they want to, endearing themselves to your friends, leaving them cooing for dogs’ name. Take Barney for instance. Barney was not the dog of its owner’s dreams when he was first taken home from the shelter. He was very rude and rough. He would chew on anything he saw in his way and would bark like there was no tomorrow. He urinated just about anywhere, was destructive and ignored all his master’s commands. Close to desperation, Barney’s owner almost gave him up because of dog behavior problems.

While Barney was sleeping on his mat one night, seemingly exhausted from the rough play and barking all day, Barney’s master looked at his young pooch and wondered, if this dog could talk, what would he say? Was there a reason for his very bad behavior? This realization led his owner to research on dog behaviors and eventually helped Barney become the dog that everybody loves. Read on and understand why your dogs sometimes manifest these behaviors and how you, as owners, can help your beloved pets.

The Most Common Dog Behavior Problems

Oftentimes, because you don’t understand your dog’s behavior, owners tend to mishandle them. But if you know the reasons behind these behavior problems, you have just taken the first step to preventing and solving them. Scroll right down and know why and how your dogs feel that compels them to manifest such unpleasant behaviors.

Barking

Dogs bark, that’s normal, of course. But excessive barking can be considered a problem especially if it becomes uncontrollable. Your pets bark, whine and howl to a certain degree. If men talk, dogs bark to communicate to their masters. See why your canine pet is vocalizing. The common reasons for barking are the following:

1. Your Dog Wants to Alert or Warn YouYour pet dogs bark to alert us of any intruders or strangers near our property. Dogs are very loyal guards to its owners. When it senses danger, it warns the owner and tries to scare the intruder by barking. But excessive barking, even without any sign of danger, could sometimes prove to be inconvenient and unpleasant.
2. Your Dog Wants to PlayDogs naturally show their excitement and playfulness by barking. When your pooch wants to have quality playtime with you, you would hear him barking incessantly until you give him the time of the day.
3. Your Dog Wants to Call Your AttentionYour beloved pets bark to call our attention on the littlest things. It may be a stranger outside or a noise that threatened them. When your dog is not feeling well or comfortable or is feeling pain, he would call your attention by barking. If he wants to eat, is feeling too hot, he wants you to do something, he barks.
4. Your Dog Is AnxiousWhen our dogs feel unsafe and threatened, they make sounds and bark until they are assured that their masters address their needs. Our pooch would sometimes be anxious about noises or movements. They bark when they are left alone or from separation anxiety from their masters. Aversion to certain people and other animals may cause them to excessively bark as well.
5. Your Dog May Be BoredAre your dogs in the lawn all day, tied to its leash in its small dog house? Do not wonder why they’re barking incessantly then. Your dog may be bored out of its wits and is asking you to take him out for a walk or play. Dogs need stimulation. They have a natural instinct or drive to be active such as dig, chase or tear things. It is important to remember that dogs are social animals.
6. Your Dog Is Responding or Reacting to Other DogsDogs bark at other dogs to communicate or to warn them of their territory. As alpha male in a pack, it wants to make its superiority known by barking. This is normal for dogs especially those who are not used to socializing with other canine pets.

Chewing

This behavior is natural to all dogs as they were made that way. Although this may be a problem when it gets uncontrollable at times and becomes destructive. Here are the common reasons why dogs chew:

1. Your Dog May Be TeethingWhen your dog is teething, your dog feels pain. Chewing on things may be a necessary process for them to ease the pain. Puppies are without teeth when they’re born. It gets its milk teeth when they reach their 3^rd to 6^th weeks. Then they’re replaced with sharp teeth to help them eat solid foods. This process is called teething.
2. Your Dog is Bored or Has Too Much Excess EnergyDogs who lack exercise usually would chew on anything it can put its mouth on. They need physical activities and stimulation to let out excess energy. Try to see if your dog needs to be walked or be given something to be busy with physically.
3. Your Dog May Be AnxiousYour dog may be anxious when it is left alone and is lonely. Its anxiety may come from fear or anxiety with other dogs. This is especially true in cases where dogs are not used to socializing with other dogs.
4. Your Dog May Be CuriousLike humans, dogs are curious about their environment. But curiousity is stronger with our canine friends as they have better sense of sight and sense of smell. They satisfy this behaviour by chewing on things.

Digging

Dogs if given a choice will manifest this behavior as it is their natural instincts to dig. There are breeds, such as Terriers, who have more tendencies to dig because they are hunting dogs and are natural diggers. Here are some reasons why dogs dig:

1. Your Dog May Be Bored and Wants to Let Out Excess EnergyWhat can a dog do after barking and chewing when bored? They dig. Digging is a physical activity that stimulate and exercises them. It helps them let out excess energy and keeps them active.
2. Your Dog May Be Scared or AnxiousDogs who are left alone in the house or are brought to an environment with other dogs or animals may be seen digging excessively. This is because they are scared that they are left alone or may be anxious with the presence of other dogs around them.
3. Your Dog May Be Acting on Their Hunting InstinctDogs have hunting instincts and they manifest this behaviour by digging to find food or create a habitat. There are certain breeds of dogs which are born hunters. They were made to act on this instinct.
4. Your Dog May Want ComfortDogs may dig to find comfort such as cooling off in a very hot environment. They dig into the soil to create a cool bed during hot conditions. They may also dig when they are nesting.
5. Your Dog May Want to Hide PossessionsDogs are the cutest of pets especially when they feel like they have to be possessive of their food and toys. They dig into the soil and hide them.
6. Your Dog May Want to Gain Access or Escape From a PlaceYour dog may be digging to gain access to a place or to get away from where he is kept. He may be showing signs of restlessness and discomfort towards his environment.

Inappropriate Defecation and Urination

This is probably the most frustrating of all dog behaviour problems because it not only makes your dog unwelcome in public places, it also damages areas at your home. The reason for this may have something to do with your dog’s health. But if you have ruled this out with a veterinarian, it would be best to check out possible reasons for this behaviour:

1. Your Dog May Have Submissive or Excitement UrinationThis behaviour has nothing to do with dog training as it can actually mean a good thing. Dogs do this instinctively to somehow let you know that you are his boss. This act may be accompanied with lowered tails and ears, laying down or he may lower his body or roll over. It would only get unpleasant if your dog does this all the time in the wrong places.
2. Your Dog May Want to Mark His TerritoryMarking of territories for dogs usually is done by urinating the area. They have a strong sense of smell and scent marking by spraying urine on objects or places to mark territory and establish ownership plays an important role in canine communications. It’s their way of telling other dogs where he hands out, how long he’s been in the place and of sexual receptivity for female dogs.
3. Your Dog May Be Anxious and LonelyYour dog may be urinating when he feels scared and lonely especially when he’s alone. When a dog is nervous, he may mark and urinate on furniture to make himself feel that all is well. Scent marking is normal among dogs. This may also be caused by lack of proper house-breaking.

Chasing

To manifest their predatory instincts, dogs chase moving objects such as cars, people and animals. It is also very normal for dogs to chase after their prey. But this behaviour can be very dangerous to your pooch. Knowing how to control this behavior is very important to keep your dogs safe and healthy.

Jumping Up

It is natural for dogs to jump up as when they were puppies, they would jump up to greet and reach their mothers. When dogs are taken care of by humans, they would continue to manifest this behavior towards their owners. To show their dominance and seek attention, dogs would jump up on humans.

Biting

Our dogs may be biting because they are manifesting their pack mentality. This behavior may root from their instincts as when they were puppies, they would nip and bite on their mother and other dogs to explore their surrounding and learn their roles in the pack. Dogs bite for the following reasons:

1. Your Dog Is Afraid or Wants to Defend ItselfIt is natural for your dogs to defend itself by biting as it’s instinct for them to bite when they feel threatened or are scared.
2. Your Dog Is Protecting Your PropertyTo defend your property from intruders, your dogs’ natural instinct is to bite to scare strangers and any possisble threat.
3. Your Dog is Hurt or UneasyWhen your dog feels discomfort and is restless, he may bite to show you and call your attention that he needs to be comforted and be taken out for a walk.
4. Your Dog Is Showing Dominance and Predatory Instinct

Your dog would bite to show that he is the dominant alpha male in the pack. He also shows his predatory instinct by biting its prey.

Dog Behavior Training Techniques

It is essential that we understand the reasons behind our dogs’ behavior. When we do, we are able to train them how to manage these so we could enjoy our pets and create a more meaningful relationship with them. Read on and check out different techniques to help our canine friends:

Barking

• Give the dog its needs. Our dogs sometimes bark to call our attention. When they bark, we yell back at them. Them, getting yelled at, is for them better than nothing. Because boredom can be one reason why your dog is excessively barking, be sure that you take him out regularly to walk or play. Make sure that your pet has enough food and water and some toys to play with when you are not in the house and when the dog is alone at home. Moreover, be certain that the dog has a comfortable place to stay in and relax.
• Get your dog used to being alone. This may sound strange but if you really think about it, it makes sense. Try to stop petting or rewarding your dog for doing nothing. This is because they become dependent on these reenforcements and they find it hard to be happy and comfortable when they’re alone without you to give these rewards. The only time you should give your dogs treat is when he is able to respond correctly to a command such as “quiet!” or “stay!”.
• Try to minimize saying goodbye. Dogs remember things well. When you get him used to seeing you go, he feels that he will be alone and starts to feel anxious about being alone. Do not make a big deal about leaving home.
• When your canine pets bark, try to distract them to make them forget about their feelings of anxiety or fears and keep them from remembering whatever caused them to bark repeatedly.

Chewing

The way to train your dog to minimize its excessive chewing is to provide them many chew toys. These items may be bought from pet stores or you may improvise and use an old object for them to chew on. Try to keep your personal items away from your pets. When you have to leave the house, keep your canine pet confined to a space where he is not able to chew on objects or you may put him inside a crate or cage. When your pet starts to chew an object he should not be chewing, with a sharp noise, correct him. And remember to always give your dog enough physical activity or exercise.

Digging

You will need to observe and spend more time with your dog to determine the reason for his digging so you could eliminate the source of digging. Try to spend quality time with your dog, give him plenty of exercise and try to teach him dog tricks to stimulate him. When he still digs, try to prepare an area such as a sand box where it’s alright for him to dig. Train him to do the digging only in this area.

Inappropriate Defecation and Urination

The best thing to help your dogs to stop soiling and urinating inappropriately is to take them to the veterinarian to have them undergo tests to rule medical condition such as urinary tract infection or diabetes which may contribute to dogs’ incontinence. If you have ruled out that the reason is not medical, you may want to observer your pet to address to his needs.

Chasing

To train your pets to prevent it from chasing moving object, people or other animals, teach him how to go to you when called. You may use a whistle to call your dog’s attention. Be aware of whatever triggers this behavior. You may always opt to take your dog to dedicated training to help your pet pay attention to you, the owner.

Jumping Up

The best way to deal with this behavior is to simply ignore your dog when he does this. Just turn away and do not give him any attention. Try not to make any eye contact, touch or speak to your pet. Just carry on with whatever it is you’re doing. When he stops jumping up and relaxes, reward him. Your dog will associate behaving to getting rewards and eventually will get themessage.

Biting

To prevent your dogs from biting, it is best to enrol your dogs to dog behavior training to help him socialize. They have to get used to having other people and animals around and to teach him proper breeding practices.

More often than not, dog behavior problems are truly just communication problems between the pet and the owner. When you start dealing with the issues, you will see how easy it is to live with these adorable canine animals.

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