10 dog behavior problems and how to solve them!

If you are a guardian of a dog, then you will surely have found yourself many times with the relevant question "now, why did he do that?"! First of all, you should always remember that our dogs do not work like us, but their instincts and nature lead them most of the time to the manifestation of a behavior! In any case, patience, the right strategy and persistence can significantly - or even completely - improve problematic behaviors.

SO, HOW TO ACHIEVE IT?

In all dog training, one thing is primarily required: Clearly show the dog what behavior you want it to do and what you don't want it to do. All of your dog's training is based primarily on repeated prompting. In this way, we can guide the dog to do our preferred action, which is likely to go against his instinct.

So let's look at some of the common behavior problems and how to solve them!

1. HE JUMPS!

Whether you're in the park, at the door, or sitting low in a chair, or standing up, the trick to keeping your dog from jumping up is always the same. First, both you and anyone else with you should refrain from giving the dog any kind of verbal or physical praise when he jumps. This can often be difficult because you want to show your dog affection, but especially with jumping, this behavior can undo a lot of hard work you've put into training him.

As with most behavioral issues with jumping, there is more than one effective solution. You may need to apply one or more of them to provide a definitive solution. However, if you do not see the desired improvement after several applications of a technique, this is a clear indication that you need to improve your training.

• Ignore him . If your dog jumps at the door when people come in mainly out of excitement, the first thing you should do is ignore his behavior for several minutes until he calms down.

• Turn your back . Especially in puppies when they are jumping, a simple turn of the back is all that is needed. You are thus showing them that their jump has the opposite effect of what they wanted - namely your attention.

• Push him gently with your knee . We're talking about a gentle and slow nudge with your knee to prevent your dog from mounting you.

• Keep it with the leash . Do this practice ideally with a guest or assistant. The leash is a great tool especially when people visit you who don't know your dog's greeting habits. When you realize that your dog is going to jump, hold the leash fairly close to your body, and stand still for a while until it stops the behavior

• Use treats . Once your dog has all four paws on the ground, reward him with affection and treats . Even if he doesn't fully touch down but shows an effort to maintain contact with the floor, give him a few treats to keep him firmly "out of the air".

2. PULLS THE LEASH

Leash pulling is a common problem, especially with large and powerful dogs. You can easily injure yourself and suffer a problem in your wrist and shoulder from persistent pulling. So to train your dog not to pull you, it requires a lot of patience, consistency and persistence

If your dog is too strong to be controlled with a classic leash, it's a good idea to use a leash guide for more secure control. Dogs generally pull for a variety of reasons, such as excessive energy, wanting to go somewhere, fear, anxiety, or even habit. If your dog is overly energetic he should be exercised enough to burn off energy before you take him out for a simple walk. If your dog has various stimuli - from other dogs or smells that he wants to get to quickly - or if he feels anxious in certain environments, then you should start training somewhere neutral and quiet, that does not have many external factors to arouse him, frighten him or excite him.

Start walking briskly with your dog. Slow down and let it smell what it wants to smell. As soon as he starts to put tension on the belt stop. Don't pull back on the leash, but don't let it pull you even two steps! Once he eased the tension, within seconds you started walking again. If it still doesn't relax at all, walk quickly in another direction, inviting it to follow you.

3. BARKING

It is natural for your dog to bark to warn you of possible dangers, of new things in your environment and to communicate many times with other dogs and animals. You probably also want your dog to bark sometimes, when someone is at the door, for example, but you wouldn't - and of course - want him to bark all the time! So let's see what you can do to stop it.

• Cover the windows . If the dog barks at everything he sees outside the window a simple solution is to simply cover them. Many dogs stop when they don't see the stimulus that causes them to tense up and want to bark.

• Remove him from the stimulus . If you know what is causing your dog to bark, then asking him to go away is a good way to show him that you understand there is something there, but you don't want him to bark. Reward him when he comes to you and stops making a fuss, so he understands that you want him to be quiet and even benefits from the quiet (a treat for sure).

• Barking spray . In very extreme cases when the dog's behavior is not corrected and starts to cause severe problems, there are behavior improvement sprays that work with a specific sound, deterrent to barking.

4. CHEWING

Chewing is not only a natural activity for dogs, but it is also essential for maintaining dental health and relieving stress. All dogs seek out different kinds of materials to chew on, and especially as puppies they discover the world through the sensation of chewing on different textures and surfaces. Whether your dog is a puppy or an adult, the solution is the same.

• Endurance & chewing toys . The first thing you need to do is provide him with plenty of things that are suitable for chewing. Give him the widest possible range of safe chewing materials from natural products as well as artificial toys made from special rubber. Once your dog has a range of things to chew on, the next step is to learn what belongs to him. Reducing clutter in your space helps him distinguish his toys from your stuff. In addition, to make him distinguish them, you can leave things of yours that he has "eaten" in the past as bait - like your shoes - while you are in the room with him and give him his own toys to chew on. CAUTION : fix this every time he turns his interest to your things by immediately taking them away and giving him an item of his own.

It may take several weeks of repetition before your little one learns what is his and what isn't, so it's a good idea to put your things somewhere safe when you're not around.

5. HE DOES IT AT HOME

Learning not to defecate at home is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of dog training. So let's see some techniques to finally solve this problem.

• Routine . A routine is essential in training your dog. Our dogs love routine and even get stressed out if we take them out of it. Not only will it teach him when and where to go to "do it" but it will teach him to hold back when necessary. From puppyhood establish a specific time for food and toilet to prepare it. Especially when he is small he regularly wants to go to relieve himself, so you have to be on the lookout! After sleeping, after playing and shortly after eating or drinking, he is likely to want to go to the bathroom. So by establishing a specific schedule in his activities, you can predict when the time for his need is approaching.

• Observance and hygiene . Attention! You have to constantly watch where he goes and relieves himself. In the event that it accidentally gets out and goes somewhere it shouldn't, clean thoroughly with a good enzyme cleaner to remove all traces of the accident. Otherwise, he will remember where he went and repeat this behavior.

6. BITE

It is normal for puppies to play with each other and with their mother a little more wildly. However, they learn from each other to what extent a bite is acceptable. They also learn from their play and what the consequences of playing too hard are, and are corrected by their mother or each other. However, when they transition to life with humans they must learn to adapt. So it is up to you to teach them how to play nicely and control their biting, otherwise they will become adult dogs who like wild play. Also, if your dog lacks adequate exercise and mental stimulation, he is much more likely to lose control and enjoy intense biting play to release his energy.

• He redirected his attention . When he bites you or jumps on you, shove a toy in his mouth and encourage him to play with it. Whenever he plays with this toy tell him "Bring the toy" and ask for it every time he goes to play with you with bites. In this way, he will learn to play with his objects, and at the same time he will enjoy it since he will be able to exert as much force as he wants on his toys, while he will be more careful with you. You will soon see that whenever he wants you to play he will come at you with his toy in his mouth instead of biting your arms or legs. However, if he continues to play rough with you, leave the area for a few seconds to show him that biting you means he's missing out on playtime!

8. YOU DON'T HAVE IT

If your dog, upon seeing an open door or when the leash is off your hands, puts it on... your feet, then you have a serious problem - not only of discipline but also of safety - as dogs that escape from their owners do not know the dangers around them, especially on the roads. If the dog runs away from you, it doesn't mean he doesn't love you, he just enjoys running free and getting the feeling of a fun, good hunt!

• Exercise . Dogs that run away usually lack vigorous activity. So providing them with exercise and vigorous activities for at least an hour a day can reduce their desire to "escape." Go on long walks with your dog or play fetch so your dog can satisfy his desire to run in a safe and creative way.

• Dog agility . He would also benefit from participating in skill competitions or anything that makes him use his mind and body!

• Clicker . Finally, another solution is clicker training, which can easily be done at home. Consult your instructor for details.

9. Aggressiveness while walking

Aggression on the walk occurs mainly because the dog feels restricted but also because it cannot approach another dog with its own rules - that is, from the side and with a neutral signal language. Here are some techniques to help you overcome your dog's reaction to walking so you can both enjoy your walk. The key to success here again is to be patient, have a positive attitude and pay attention to your dog's reactions.

• Use reward/treats. Walk your dog on a leash to where the other dogs are (as long as the other dogs are on a leash). As soon as you see another dog from a distance, speak calmly and pleasantly to your dog and give him the most delicious treats. So, the dog will associate the presence of another dog with the wonderful treats. However, be careful not to get too close to the other dog – to the point where you can't control it. Maintain such a distance that your dog remains calm and enjoys his "treat". As soon as the other dog moves away, stop giving treats, and as soon as another dog appears, give again. In this way you will change your dog's psychology from fear and aggression to joy and security.

• Head collar . This collar allows you to guide and correct your dog when it tries to “rush” another dog. In addition, using a collar calms your dog and gives you the confidence of control. Keep your leash short and loose. Hold the dog by giving him treats, talking to him calmly and changing directions slightly. The dog must learn to ignore other dogs, and not threaten them out of fear. Make slow, confident movements forward and sideways and gradually reduce the distance to the other dogs, choosing a course and spot where your dog feels safe.

  

10. STEALS FOOD

It may be provided with everything, but it always wants to try human treats too! Having your dog steal food is not only annoying for you but also dangerous for him as many of the foods we eat are off-limits to pets.

• Teach him self-control . If your dog tries to "steal" food in front of you, it means that he lacks self-control and awareness of what is his and what is yours. Teach him self-control by asking him to wait before you give him anything. He should sit and wait before you give him a treat, before you throw him the ball, before you put him on the leash, and before you generally do anything. In a way we would say that he should earn what you provide him through good behavior.

• Teach him what is yours. Once the dog develops self-control and learns to resist his urges, you can start teaching him what is his and what is yours. Place a tasty treat on the table or somewhere your dog messed up and tell him it's not for him. If the dog makes an effort to get your food, push him back firmly and tell him the command. When the dog understands and moves away, reward him with a treat.

11.ASK FOR FOOD!

This is a behavior that can be easily corrected as long as the whole family can maintain a strict attitude, since a child who sneaks food under the table will be a big obstacle in training the dog. Your dog needs to learn that his food will be taken in a certain area, that he must keep his distance from your table, and that he will not receive a reward later if he continues to beg for a bite of you.

• Never give him food . Even if your dog eats everything you eat, make sure you feed him at different times in his own bowl so he learns that when you eat your food, he doesn't get a share.

• Space limitation . Your dog needs to learn not to come into the kitchen when you are cooking, nor the dining area when you are eating. Instead, you should tell your dog to go to his own space. Give him a good chew toy or something tasty to occupy him while you enjoy your meal.

• Be strict . Never feed him yourself, never let your guests feed him, and also never let your dog stand under or next to the table and look at you while you eat. If you teach your dog to go to his place every time you eat, he will have no opportunity to beg.