Have you ever looked sideways at your four-legged friend when he’s doing his usual antics? If you’ve been tempted to Google “how to fix your dog’s bad habits,” you’re not alone: we’ve all been there! But before we dive into the dog drama, let’s make one thing clear: harsh punishments simply won’t be enough. Dogs are masters at hiding their not-so-ideal behavior, and shouting “bad dog” is about as effective as barking at the moon.
According to a study, nearly 30% of young puppies had to be put down due to unwanted behavior. Unfortunately, the leading dog crime is aggression. But there is good news: bad behavior can be corrected. In this article, we will discover the main bad habits of dogs and guide you to correct them!
8 bad habits you should be wary of for your dog
Here is a list of 8 common bad habits that you should pay attention to in your dog and discourage them:
1. Improper chewing
Chewing is an instinctive behavior in dogs. Exploring their surroundings is not only enjoyable, but also helps relieve boredom. Chewing also serves to clean your dog’s teeth. However, it is essential to teach your dog which objects can be chewed.
Dogs can also have seizures from chewing, as they may chew on toxic household detergent bottles. Please do not punish your dog for inappropriate chewing. Provide your pets with a variety of chew toys to play with. Please encourage them to interact with these toys by offering them treats and guiding them towards them. Praise them when they chew their toys so they know it’s appropriate behavior.
As a puppy owner, be sure to check your puppy’s teething. A dog’s gums can become inflamed when teething and cause him to chew inappropriately. Where possible, purchase toys specifically designed for teething puppies.
2. Excessive digging
Digging is a way that dogs relieve their energy buildup or locate an odor. Regardless, this behavior can get worse if your dog damages your property. You may see them digging to hide objects such as toys or bones.
You can suppress this bad behavior in your dog by walking him and spending time with him. You may want to keep a sandbox for digging to break this habit. Tell your dog that only certain areas can be dug and train him accordingly. If you want to make this space more pleasant for your pet, add treats and toys.
3. Barking when a doorbell rings
There are many reasons why dogs bark at the door. Their barking could be a reaction to visitors or a response from a guard dog. When dogs bark, some even think they are training you to open the door by barking. A great way to stop dogs from barking at doorbells is to reward them for alternative behaviors, such as lying on a nearby rug while waiting for the door to open.
4. Obtaining food by begging
Does your dog always ask you for food when it comes to the table? This habit may seem cute at first, but it can eventually turn bad. Any behavior that brings a dog a reward makes him more likely to repeat it. They will probably beg for food on the table again if you give it to them once.
Whenever your dog eats at the dining table, you should avoid giving him anything. Prevent all family members from providing them as well. He will stop begging for food once he realizes it won’t do any good. Dogs can also be trained to lie down at dinner time. A second option would be to make your meal time coincide with yours so that you can enjoy your meals peacefully.
5. Pull on the leash
Dogs learn all of the habits discussed above because of their past reward experiences. Pulling on a leash is no exception. A dog considers pulling your leash a reward if you move in the direction he points you.
Simply put, if you want to prevent your dog from pull on the leash, you have to stop them from moving forward until you want them to. Stop your dog from pulling on the leash and be firm with him. It’s not a good idea to let your dog move forward.
You should walk in the opposite direction if your pet does not relax. This exercise may seem simple, but it requires a lot of patience and practice. If you own a Greyhound, we recommend purchasing one Greyhound harness instead of a regular dog collar because it gives you a better hold on your dog and allows you to control it.
6. Urinating in the house
This one is the most disgusting. Peeing on objects is common among dogs to mark territory or communicate with canine friends. Take your dog outside immediately if you catch him urinating inside the house (or even if you are preparing to do so). When he chooses to urinate outside, reward and praise him. Use an enzymatic cleanser to remove the odor from previously urinated marks to avoid frequent urination.
7. Anxiety associated with separation
Separation anxiety is the main destructive behavior that disrupts the peace of a dog owner. Symptoms of anxiety commonly seen in dogs are howling, barking, urinating, and defecating. Dogs may display other destructive behaviors when owners are not present. As a result of separation anxiety, the following symptoms appear:
- When your dog sees you getting ready to leave, he becomes anxious
- Behaving badly 15 to 45 minutes after the owner leaves the house
- Your dog will constantly follow you everywhere
To treat separation anxiety, training is necessary, as well as behavior modification and desensitization techniques. Some veterinarians can even prescribe medication. You should leave your dog for five minutes during the desensitization process. Once they get used to being alone, you can gradually increase the duration.
8. Get up and jump
It is common for dogs to jump, especially when they are near their owners. Although it may seem cute at first, others may find it irritating. A dog should not jump on strangers or anyone he sees in public.
A puppy jumps to greet its mother on two legs. Because they view you as a parent, they do the same thing to you. When your puppy is excited, he may display this behavior. There are many methods you can use to stop your dog from jumping, but they will only work sometimes.
A reward may be offered for jumping, as this is an attention-seeking behavior. You can avoid this unwanted behavior by moving away from your dog or turning your body away and ignoring it. Ignoring your dog is not the behavior he is looking for, and so he will learn that it is not what he should do to get your attention. It is important to reward your dog when he understands and relaxes or stays on his 4 paws the next time he sees you.
Remember…
Dogs may be creatures of habit, but that doesn’t mean their bad behaviors are set in stone! Just like us, they are quick to jump on anything that brings joy or excitement. This is where you come in with a little guidance, patience and love, to steer them towards a more positive path.
We’ve unraveled the mystery behind 8 common canine habits and shared some valuable information on how to curb them. So, if you ever see your four-legged friend engaging in one of these mischievous routines, don’t worry! You have the know-how to tackle the problem head on.
Remember, this is a journey, not a sprint. With consistency and kindness, you can help your puppy become the well-behaved companion you’ve always dreamed of. So, let’s embrace the adventure of owning a dog with open arms and, together, we will move towards a harmonious relationship between humans and their four-legged companions!
This guest post was written by Arslan Hassan.