If your dog is badly behaved, it is hard to know what to do. You have a feeling that there is an underlying issue, but you’re not sure how to go about resolving it.
That’s where this post comes into the picture. It explores some of the things you can do if you have a badly behaved dog and want to fix things (before you or they get into trouble!)
Look For The Cause
The best dog trainers always look for the cause of bad behavior in dogs. Unlike humans, dogs are far more straightforward and less subtle, so it is possible to figure out what’s wrong with them pretty quickly.
For example, dogs have a habit of barking, chewing or jumping when they are acting out. However, dealing with these problems usually involves simply dealing with things like their level of mental stress.
Exercise Mental Stimulation
You can also deal with problems related to dog behavior by finding better ways to stimulate them mentally. If they can feel like they’re moving toward something important, they often do a lot better.
High-energy breeds are particularly prone to acting out if they don’t exercise their brains sufficiently. Therefore, provide them with chew toys and other items they need to thrive.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Dogs learn best when you provide them with positive reinforcement, if they do something you want them to do, praise them for it, and see how they react.
Positive reinforcement works well because it teaches the dog the type of behavior you expect. Don’t provide it if they jump up at strangers, but do provide it if they refrain from barking whenever someone walks past the home.
Be Consistent With Commands
It also pays to be consistent with your commands. If you can say these in the same way over and over, then that can help a lot.
For example, you might say something like “sit” or “stay” in the same way, and reward your dog when they do what you want them to do. The more you can repeat this, the more likely it is that your dog will obey your commands in the future.
Address Issues One By One
Usually, you can’t deal with behavioral issues with dogs en masse. However, you can deal with them one by one.
For example, if your dog is barking, it is usually a sign of boredom. You can fix this by teaching them to be quiet and then rewarding them with food or attention when they stop.
You can cut down on things like chewing by providing your dog with a firm “no” and then rewarding them when they use the chew toy instead.
Leverage Socialization
Lastly, you might want to explore the possibility of socialization with your dog if they’re failing to follow commands. Allowing them to make contact with other dogs regularly reduces aggression and cuts down on their fear response. Over time, you should notice them becoming friendlier and more willing to go on play dates.
