Unfortunately, the dog doesn’t know if what he’s doing is right or wrong. As an owner, it is important not to misunderstand common dog behaviors. The key is to understand when the dog’s behavior is becoming a problem and then correct it right away through obedience training.
Barking
When you have a dog who begs while you eat, put him in a crate or confined area with a chew toy to keep him occupied. Let him out after you finish eating. Stop feeding him leftovers, but if you must, put them in his food bowl together with his regular meals.
Begging
If you have a beggar, start crating or confining him with an engaging chew toy to occupy him when it’s time for you to eat and then let him out when you’re finished. Stop feeding him leftovers but if you must, put it in his food bowl together with his regular meals.
Chewing
Just like barking, chewing is natural for all dogs. However, if he is already causing destruction, like chewing stuff around the house, then it’s considered a behavior problem. Provide your dog with a safe and acceptable chew toy, and don’t let him loose in the house. Instead, use a crate to confine him while he is satisfying his need to chew using his chew toy.
Digging
Digging is inevitable for dogs since it’s a natural canine instinct, and it will not go away. However, if he is digging indoors, he’s probably anxious or bored. Confine him, and give him toys that he can chew and play with. Or take him outside and let him dig, but select a spot in your yard where it is acceptable to dig. You can train him by planting a toy that he can dig in the same spot over and over again.
Jumping Up
This is where the command “sit” comes into play. To train him, put him on his leash and have someone ring the doorbell. As soon as the doorbell rings, ask the dog to sit while holding a treat from his mouth and tilting it up to his head while his eyes are glued to the treat. Wait until he sits, and then you open the door and then let the person come in. Make sure he doesn’t jump up by controlling his leash, and then give him a treat. If he begins to jump, it is important to ignore your dog and then wait until he calms down. When he’s calm, ask him to sit again while holding a treat until he follows the command. This is something that you have to do over and over again until your dog can follow the command to sit.
Aggression
Here are some of the signs of aggressive tendencies which will probably lead to a bite incident sooner or later if not addressed properly:
- When you are trying to keep him away off from something, does he bare his teeth and growl at you?
- Is he starting to stand over and guard his food bowl or special toys?
- Has walking become difficult since you can’t trust him to meet other dogs nicely?
Dog aggression can be dangerous for you and for anyone living with the dog. If you suspect your dog has an aggression problem, it is best to begin working with a professional before it escalates.