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Preventing Problem Behaviours By Providing Consistent Training and Structure
By providing consistent training and structure, we help our dog develop good behaviour and establish a strong bond with us. Owners should be aware of practical and effective training methods and should occasionally seek advice and guidance from a qualified specialist, like a professional dog trainer when needed. And before you carry on reading, why not check our video hereunder about this important topic (don't forget to click the unmute icon 🔇 in the video frame). Here are a few tips for providing consistent training and structure for your dog:
- Establish a daily routine and provide a safe and secure environment:
Dogs thrive on routine, so establish a regular schedule for feeding, exercise, and other activities. Routines make them feel safe and more relaxed.
- Use positive reinforcement:
When training your dog, be sure to use positive reinforcement techniques such as praising and rewarding your dog with treats or toys. Avoid using punishment or negative reinforcement, as these can lead to fear and aggression. Your praise makes him/her a happy dog.
- Set clear rules and boundaries:
It is important to establish clear rules and boundaries for your dog, and to consistently enforce them. This will help your dog understand what is expected of them and help them feel secure. A secure dog is a relaxed dog.
- Use consistent commands:
Use the same commands and hand signals consistently when training your dog. This will help them understand what you are asking of them and respond more quickly. Consistent commands lead to confident responses.
- Provide your dog plenty of mental and physical stimulation:
In addition to training, be sure to provide your dog with plenty of mental and physical stimulation. This can include activities such as playing fetch, going for walks or runs, and participating in obedience or agility training. Dogs need to exhaust their energy to relax.
It is also important to be patient and persistent, as training a dog can take time and dedication. If patience and persistency won’t work then seek professional help (e.g. from a veterinarian or a certified dog behaviorist).
Strategies For Addressing Common Problem Behaviors
How To Address Jumping On People?
Most pups enjoy interacting with new people. These interactions are meant to be pleasant, but if a dog is not properly trained, it may frequently leap on people out of excitement. However, jumping on humans is annoying and can be dangerous, especially for kids and the elderly. Therefore it's imperative to address this behaviour as soon as possible. Combining the following tactics will help you:
- Train your dog to sit:
Teach your dog the "sit" command. When your dog jumps on someone, gently push the hindquarters down into a sitting position and say, "sit." When your dog complies, reward with a treat.
- If your doggy jumps on you, ignore the jumping completely:
Turn away, fold your arms, and do not make eye contact or speak to them. When stop jumping, then you can give him/her attention.
- Redirect their jumping:
When your dog leaps on someone, try redirecting their energy onto something else. For example, you can offer them a toy to play with or ask them to perform a trick. Reward/praise the alternative action.
When you are training your dog not to jump, it can be helpful to use a leash. It will allow you to interrupt the behaviour and redirect attention. It may take time and patience, but your dog will eventually understand that leaping up on people is inappropriate behaviour.
Are you exhausted from your tail-wagging friend's constant barking?
Don't worry, we have a few tips to try. Barking is a natural behaviour for dogs, but excessive barking is annoying and can be a sign of an underlying health or behavioural issue that needs to be addressed.
- Determine the cause:
Determine the reason behind your dog's barking. Is it a certain individual? The mailman, perhaps? What animal? Or just the quiet itself? Knowing the trigger will help you manage or remove it to stop your dog from barking. If excessive barking is a new behaviour, ensure your dog is well-fed and healthy. If in doubt whether it is rooted in a health problem, then consult your dog's veterinarian.
- Help your dog pick up a new behaviour:
You can educate your dog to go to a designated place and sit calmly there instead of barking when someone knocks on the door, for instance, if they currently do so. Reward the alternative behaviour with plenty of praise, or treats, praise, or his/her favourite toy. Always encourage them to repeat the desired behaviour.
- Seek professional help:
If you cannot stop your dog's barking or if the barking is causing major stress or disruption, consider seeking help from a certified dog trainer. They can assess your dog's behaviour and provide guidance on how to address the barking.
- Use negative reinforcement:
If your dog is still barking up a storm despite your best efforts, you may need to try using an anti-bark collar. These devices deliver a mild electric shock or a strange noise when your dog barks. Just be sure to use them as a last resort and under the guidance of a professional.
Digging Up Gardens and Parks
Dogs may dig in parks or gardens for a variety of reasons. They may look for prey or insects to eat, which is one explanation. On a hot day, they often search for a cold location to lie in, and the earth beneath the surface is frequently cooler than the air. Dogs may also dig as a form of entertainment or as a place to hide or sleep. Some dogs might even dig a way out of their yard or enclosure to find company. So, most of the time, our dogs have their reasons, yet excessive digging can be frustrating. Here are some tips to help correct your dog's digging behaviour:
- Plenty of exercises and mental stimulation can help reduce the urge to dig. Excessive digging may indicate underlying boredom and anxiety. A relaxed dog is a well-behaving dog.
- Provide an appropriate digging area: If your dog enjoys digging, consider setting aside a specific area where they are allowed to dig. This can help redirect their digging behaviour away from areas where it is not desirable.
- Supervise your dog when they are outside: If you catch your dog digging in an inappropriate area, interrupt the behaviour, then redirect your dog to an appropriate digging area or provide them with an alternative activity. When your dog digs in the deisgnated area, praise and reward them with treats.
- Use deterrents: If your dog is digging in a particular area, you can try using physical barriers such as fencing or chicken wire to deter them from digging there. You can also try using a smell/taste deterrent, such as hot sauce or bitter apple spray, to make the area unappealing to your dog.
Lastly, some breeds, like terriers and dachshunds, were explicitly bred for such purpose and had a natural desire to dig. Changing the behaviour of these breeds can prove more than challenging.
Chewing Is Often 'Destroying' More Than the Furniture
It can be incredibly upsetting and distressing for the family when a dog destroys furniture and other valuables. The damage is expensive, and it can also cause conflict within the family. And often feelings of failure and guilt emerge in the dog's human parents, who may feel that they are not adequately caring for their pet.
It is essential to identify the underlying cause of chewing in order to address the behaviour effectively. The most frequent causes include the following:
- Teething:
Puppies may chew more during the teething process to alleviate the discomfort caused by new teeth coming in. Provide chewable toys and be patient.
- Separation anxiety:
Some dogs, especially young pups, may chew when left alone to cope with the stress caused by separation from their human family. Play with them ’hide and seek’ and gradually increase the time you leave them alone. Be patient, let them understand: ”I will always come back to you.”
- Boredom:
Dogs that do not have enough mental or physical stimulation may chew out of boredom. Give your dog the amount of exercise the breed’s energy level requires.
- Nutritional deficiencies:
Chewing can sometimes be a sign of a dietary problem, such as a lack of protein or other nutrients. Consult your vet or a dog nutritionist.
- Medical issues:
In some cases, chewing may signify a medical issue, such as dental problems or gastrointestinal discomfort. If unsure of the cause, you should consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and guidance.
Closing Thoughts
Understanding and addressing problem behaviours in dogs is crucial for the dog's and the owner's well-being. Since the owner is ultimately in charge of determining how their dog behaves, their responsibility in regulating troublesome behaviours cannot be overstated. Therefore, owners should become familiar with simple and effective training methods and consult a skilled expert, such as a licenced veterinarian or professional dog trainer, if necessary.
Additionally, it's crucial to remember that dogs, like people, are individuals with unique personalities, so the techniques that we described above may work for one dog might not necessarily work for another. Therefore, when working with our dogs, it's crucial to be patient, friendly, and consistent, as well as to have realistic expectations for what they can achieve.
If you missed Part-1, the causes of our doggies' misbehaviours then check it out now!
...and check these seven reputable organisations' websites for valuable advice:
About dog training classes, check The Kennel Club.
Take advice about changing the old habits of your dog at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
All the advice you need about handling a nervous dog, chewing and more at The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.
Take advice from those who have been devoted to animal welfare for more than 200 years, from the RSPCA - The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Draw on the wealth of knowledge about understanding and training your dog at The Dog Trust.
Check the advice of Vets on this subject: PDSA.
And the advice of those whose vision and mission is happiness and health for all dogs - The Blue Cross.