Good Dogs Gone Bad: Solving Behavioral Issues Through Dog Behavioral Training

Any dog with a behavioral problem can be helped. However, the key to solving your dog’s behavioral problem is first to form an understanding of where your dog’s behavioral problems are sourced from.

Halting Excessive Barking

Barking is a normal function in dogs. However, excessive barking is indeed an issue. The goal obviously is not to stop the dog from barking; rather the goal is to control the excessive barking. The first step in modifying this behavior involves determining the cause of this behavior.

Reasons Why Dogs Misbehave

• Many dogs are passed between new owners in their life, starting as a puppy. This eventually leads to separation anxiety. 
• Many behavioral problems in dogs stem from a miscommunication between pet and owner. Basically, the pet has no awareness of what you are asking of him/her.
• Many owners apply no boundaries or limitations, resulting in their dog gaining a feeling of superiority. The owner should make it clear to their pet that they are the alpha dog and the pet is not to do whatever they please.
• Common Behavioral Problems in Dogs
• Excessive barking
• Poop eating (coprophagia)
• Puppy biting
• Jumping
  

  Reasons Dogs Bark

•  Expressing their needs
•  Staking out their territory
•  Danger
•  Excitement
•  At other animals
•  Isolation
•  Entertainment
•  Expressing dominance
•  Boredom
•  Stress/discomfort
•  Attention

Once you have determined the reason for your dog’s excessive barking, you can now explore solutions to the issue. You must clearly communicate to your dog that this behavior is not acceptable.  Do not shout at your dog, this will only increase the behavioral problem because your dog will believe you are joining in their fun. Be sure to reward your dog for halting this behavior or reprimand your dog for persisting with this behavior. If other solutions do not assist you, perhaps try a Citronella no bark collar. This device sprays a mist of citronella in the air when your dog barks. Most dogs detest the scent of citronella, and will soon come to the realization that when they don’t bark, the bad smell is not present.

Keeping your dog from eating poop

This habit, also known as coprophagia, can either be a simple behavioral issue or a more concerning underlying medical issue. If you believe a medical condition may be causing this behavior, bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If your dog presents this behavior, ensure that all vaccinations and worming treatments are up to date as various diseases and internal parasites can be passed through feces.

Causes of dog coprophagia

•  It tastes good
•  Symptoms of stress/anxiety
•  Vitamin or mineral deficiency
•  To “hide evidence” of defecating in the home
•  Copying other dogs behavior
•  Hunger
•  Side effects of medication

Some solutions to this behavioral problem include feeding your dog a more well balanced and nutritious meal or feeding your dog its actual food more frequently. It assists to ensure your dog is receiving adequate exercise and stimulation. Be sure to attach negative associations when this behavior persists and reward your dog when this behavior ceases.

Keeping your puppy from biting

If your new puppy is having an issue with biting, there are many solutions this behavioral problem. In new puppies, it is quite simple to just direct the biting from your flesh to a toy or chew bone. If you put your dog in its cage or leave the room whenever it bites, they will soon associate that when they bite you (their playmate) leaves them, and the biting will stop. Other techniques to solving this behavioral problem include spraying your dog with water when they bite. Utilizing these techniques, the negative behavior in your puppy will soon cease.

Keeping your dog from jumping

The dog behavioral problem of jumping up on people is not only an embarrassing, annoying situation, but a dangerous one.

Why do dogs jump up on people?

• Excitement
• Attention
• Assert dominance

Tips to correct this behavioral problem ...

• Don’t push or hit your dog.
• Make it clear this behavior is unacceptable
• When your dog jumps up, turn away from them. Avoid eye contact and ignore him when he is practicing this behavior.
• Instruct your dog to “sit”.
• Reward their obedience.

Following these techniques, your dog’s behavioral problems should soon be eradicated. If these techniques do not assist you, consult your local veterinarian, who is a trained professional on these dog behavioral problems.