9 Common Dog Behavior Problems and How to Address Them

 

Every dog owner has some dog obedience problem from time to time, and it is easy to feel you are not alone in your dog's behavior problem. Don't worry! Many other dog owners will be dealing with similar dog obedience issues, and the good news is that with a little time and care, these common behavior problems can be solved.

1. Dogs Aggression

A dog's aggression can be caused by a variety of factors. It's probable that if you adopt an older dog, he was mistreated when he was a puppy. The dog may be striving to assert his dominance over you if you raised the puppy without proper training. When a dog becomes bored or has too much energy, he may develop anxiety issues, which must be addressed by your strong, alpha leadership.

Food Aggression

This is a very common problem dog owners experience. If your dog exhibits signs of food aggression, such as snapping or biting as you approach his food dish, you must design a feeding program to retrain them to think differently. Begin by feeding them only 2-3 times per day. Instead of trying to protect what he believes is his, the dog will look to you as the source of the food if you become the source of food.

Aggression toward Strangers and Children

Positive reinforcement is the training used to eliminate aggression. Keep your dog on a leash and keep a safe distance from the source of the hostility (the children). Move closer to the source of aggressiveness after rewarding your dog with praise and treats. The dog will gradually recognize this as a source of reward and pleasure and will become eager rather than irritable and angry.

Aggression Against Other Dogs in the House

This could indicate that your dog's group lacks a positive leader and that your dogs are fighting for that position. If this occurs, you must assume command of the situation. You can often stop any negative behavior by the dogs in your home simply by demonstrating obvious leadership. Also, when you are out and about with your dog, don't make a bother if another dog approaches. Your dog will pick up on your anxiety and behave accordingly, especially if the dog is on a leash.

2. Unwanted Digging

If your dog digs, there is a very good purpose for doing so. They frequently enjoy it, however, it can become compulsive in some cases. Unfortunately, no matter how much they enjoy digging, the dog is most likely damaging your flower garden or backyard in the process. Digging is often the result of excess energy and boredom, and the dog may utilize it as a way to release that energy. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and playtime, and that you don't leave him outside for long periods of time. Use fencing and netting to protect any areas of your garden that you don't want to be dug up, as well as strong-smelling deterrents.

3. Toilet Problems

Dogs, by nature, prefer to relieve themselves outside of the den. Even so, when the dog does not realize that the entire house is their home, and when the dog is not permitted outside frequently enough to urinate, there is a problem. So, if you don't let your dog out frequently enough, the problem isn't tough to solve. However, after a dog has urinated inside, he may believe it is acceptable to do it again and again.

Create a routine for your dog to go potty at the same times every day, and reward them with lots of praise. If your dog does, however, urinate indoors, do not be angry. When training a dog, rage and yelling are ineffective. When the dog starts to relieve itself in the house, make a loud noise, such as clapping your hands, and then take the dog outdoors right away so the dog associates urinating with being outside. It will take constant care and a lot of patience on your part, but it will be well worth it.

4. Dog Barking

Every dog barks at some point, either to display their excitement or to indicate that they are bored. Some dogs never stop barking, which is a problem. The goal is to lessen the amount of obsessive barking rather than to eliminate all barking. When your dog barks, never give it what it wants. When you give the dog what it wants (especially your attention), it will continue to bark at you. Basic training may be especially helpful in lowering your dog's barking behavior. Sit, lie down, and be quiet are all commands that you should teach your dog. These simple commands cause the dog to focus on you instead of the other person.

5. Chewing

Chewing starts when your dog is young and teething, but as your dog grows older, chewing can become a serious and unwelcome problem. When owners offer their puppies old shoes or socks to chew on, they are effectively stating that this is fine. If you did this when your dog was a puppy, you will need to spend some time correcting the behavior pattern you have established.

When your dog starts chewing on a cushion or shoe, make sure you have an alternative on available, such as a rawhide chew, and offer it to them right away. There are also aerosol sprays that are unpleasant to a dog and help to prevent chewing of specific objects, which are sold in most pet stores. You should also teach your dog how to "leave it." This command takes some practice to master, but it will help you deal with your dog's chewing problem as well as other situations where your dog picks up something undesired while you are out and about!

6. Pulling on the Leash

A walk is one of the most nerve-wracking activities for many dog owners, rather than one of the most pleasurable! To begin the program, you must start at home. Always make your dog sit and stay first while starting the walk routine in the house. You must train the dog to be quiet and submissive, with all of their energy focused on obeying your directions. You may eliminate the bouncing around that occurs before you go out by harnessing that energy. What matters is that you take the leash off if the dog becomes excited and noisy. Don't praise this behavior; instead, wait until he has calmed down. When the dog starts tugging on the leash, return to the beginning and force him to sit. It may take some time to educate a dog not to pull excitedly, but if you go back to the beginning and repeat the process, the dog will eventually learn. Once you've made it to the street, it's important that you follow the same steps you did at home.

7. Jumping

Jumping is a fun method for dogs to express their excitement. It could, however, be dangerous, especially if your dog is huge and there are tiny children there. Do not grab or push the dog's paws away. While this works right away, it won't work in the long run because you are giving them the attention they desire. Ignoring the dog is the most efficient way to cope with jumping.

Ignore them and turn away from them. When you initially enter the house or a room, avoid making eye contact with, communicating with, or touching your dog for the first few minutes. You can complement them quietly and lovingly once they have given you their undivided attention.

8. Separation Anxiety

Dogs are very social creatures, and if you leave your dog alone while you go out, it will become fearful and scared that you would not return. A dog with separation anxiety might act out in a variety of ways, from whining and barking to the gnawing, digging, and tearing. When you go out and come back, it is important that you don't make too much of a fuss over your dog and ignore any excited behavior. For mild anxiety, merely ignoring your dog for a short period of time will greatly reduce their nervousness.

For a serious case of anxiety, start by leaving your dog alone for short periods of time. When you return, do not pay attention to the dog. Simply remain cool and wait for your dog to settle down. Then repeat the process. Extend the time of these sessions across days or weeks until you may depart for an entire day. Despite how they are behaving right now, your dog is simply a dog and is not trying to upset you. To become well-behaved and free of dog obedience problems, the dog needs help and supervision from you, the owner.

9. Whining

It is important to teach your dog how to accept your absence if he or she is whining because of separation. When you go out, consider having a crate or a single room or for your dog to stay in.

The dog will feel more relaxed when you are away if they have their own room to go to as a "safe haven." When going out and returning home, don't make a big deal out of it. To teach your dog to relax when you leave the house, you must first practice doing so at home. Put the dog in a crate or a separate room. You'll have to put up with his moaning for a while, but it's critical that you don't come back.

However, not all dogs' whining is caused by nervousness. It could be a simple need for attention or a side effect of having too much energy in some circumstances. It's possible that they are attempting to attract extra attention. Remember that it's always better to ignore them than to react to their negative behavior; the dog will quickly learn not to call for attention if you do.