Training Tips #6: Behavior Problems!

By now you're well underway with the training process. Your dog has learned to sit, heel, and come when called. Yet this doesn't mean you have a dream dog! Behavioral problems can develop at anytime and it's important to catch them early. Most problems with a dog's behavior are a result of the dog thinking that a particular behavior is okay. Chewing, jumping up, and other common problems can arise because the dog has not been taught otherwise. Many times, dogs actually believe bad habits are endorsed. Perhaps you cuddle with your puppy on the couch when it's young. As the dog grows older and larger, how is it supposed to know sitting on the coach is no longer allowed? It's important for you to know why your dog has developed a bad habit before learning how to stop the habit in a way your dog will understand.

The Dominance Problem

Throughout these training tip posts, we've explored the importance of you being dominant over your dog. As long as your dog knows he's low on the totem pole compared to humans, no serious problems will arise. Serious problems like biting arise when your dog starts to think that in fact, he is the dominant one. Sometimes your dog will consider himself inferior to you, his owner, but dominant over other humans, mainly small children. Ever hear of a dog who isn't good around kids? That's a result of the dog considering himself dominant. Unfortunately, in rare cases, some dogs with severe dominance problems have to be put down or moved from home. If your dog has a dominance problem, your whole family will need to cooperate to fix the problem. If biting is an issue, the first step to reestablishing your dominance is for your whole family to ignore your dog. My Denver veterinarian is certain that being ignored is the worst punishment a dog can have. Don't speak to him, look at him, or play with him. Even when he starts to look for attention, continue to ignore. When you can, put a long leash or your dog so that you have control from a distance. When your dog begins to engage in is bad behavior (like sitting on the coach), stop him from doing so with a sudden jerk of the leash. This process will help to reassert your authority. Another tactic to help the dominance problem is to make the dog wait when being fed. When you do set down the bowl, do not set it by the dog. Instead, make your dog come to you for his food. Once again, continue to ignore. If your dog decides he wants attention (which he probably will do quickly), make him come to you and ONLY begin to respond to him when you feel his behavior has improved. Be sure your dog is not allowed on chairs, on the coach, or in your room. These are all places of dominance. The Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital I take my pets to advises consulting your veterinarian if a dominance problem starts getting out of hand.

Barking
Barking is a bad habit that can develop for many reasons and is often difficult to cure. If possible, the barking problem should be addressed while your dog is still a young puppy. Often barking is a way for your dog to get attention. If, when your dog barks, you approach him and pet him to calm him down, the message sent is that barking rewards him with attention and pets.

Biting our of Fear
Your dog's best weapon is its jaw. In some cases, a dog develops the habit of using that weapon when it is startled or in fear and can not run away. Socializing your puppy at a young age usually results in a less fearful adult dog. If your puppy is not socialized, it can develop a fear of people other than its family and owner. If you believe your dog has developed this fear, the only way to overcome it is to slowly introduce your dog to new people in comfortable settings (also try having your dog's new acquaintances give him treats). The more people it meets, the less it will fear humans.


The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants has many interesting articles you can check out to learn more about bog behavior and tactics for addressing bad habits.