Below are some common dog behaviors you’ll encounter. Read on to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to manage them.
Tug of War
If your dog likes to pull when you take them for walks, try this approach for your next outing; Don’t mention to your dog that you’re going on a hike!
When your dog knows they’re going on a walk, they usually get excited in anticipation. Make no verbal mention whatsoever as you put the leash on. Walk your dog briefly around your house first. Next, allow for some time to pass between leashing them and going for the actual walk.
For many, walking is routine, and dogs respond the moment they get sight of you grabbing the leash. A dog knows it’s walk time! Place some distance between the time you leash up and set out.
The length of time between the leash and the walk breaks the pattern of associating walking with the leash. Doing so will help disperse your dog’s vigor, so neither of you will feel like you’re in a tug of war match during your stroll.
In Your Dog’s Mind, Everything’s a Chew Toy
Do you catch your dog munching on your latest pair of kicks? This is a sign of boredom or energy that needs healthy expression. Anytime you’re out, and your dog is all by their lonesome, be sure to have proper chew toys available for them to choose rather than your shoes or other objects.
A good thing you can do is make sure your dog gets regular exercise and mental stimulation. These elements provide a healthy outlet for their energies, so they’re less likely to resort to free chewing.
Not on the Carpet
Sometimes, our dogs pee inside the house. If your dog is no longer a puppy, try to determine if they have any ailments that could be the cause. It’s advisable to see a veterinarian and learn if the urination is the result of an infection or Cushing’s Disease.
Once you’ve ruled out physical ailments, there are other possible reasons for this behavior. The dog might feel anxious, stressed, or the behavior itself may have become habitual.
Regardless, retrain your dog and keep strict watch over their movement throughout your home. Don’t allow them to be anywhere in the house where you can’t see them and do not permit them to visit previously urinated areas. The only behavior you want reinforced is your dog doing its business outside, so be sure to reward them when they do.
As they learn to go outside regularly, gradually lift your restrictions on where else they can roam inside.
Wait, What’s My Name?
We call our dog’s name, and they respond. Sometimes we call, and they show total disregard. Funny, right?
When a dog is outside having fun, especially in public places like dog parks, there are many distractions. A dog hearing their name called may view the call as a disruption to their playtime, which is no fun to them!
In order to get your dog to respond to your call, first, start in a small setting with little to no distraction. For example, you may start in your backyard. Gradually increase the size of the setting and exposure to potential stimuli.
They’ll be more likely to respond when you call them in a larger space with more significant distraction after you acclimate them.
While in larger spaces, call them to come, compliment them when they do, and let them return to play. With this adjustment, your dog won’t associate calling their name with an end to playtime.
Woof Woof!
Alright. So dogs bark. Sometimes it’s a little much, but it’s part of how our dogs communicate. Try to understand in what context the dog is barking and adopt a gentle approach toward rectifying the behavior.
Dog wants beggin’ strips. So dog barks. Dog wants peanut butter chews, so the dog barks. Use your discretion, but do your best not to give in to your dog’s desires. They’ll recognize that you won’t be suckered by their barking and likely change their behavior.
Doorbells can rile up a dog too. Perhaps, the mailman is the culprit who triggers your dog on sight. Maybe it’s the sound of footsteps. You can train your dog to scale down their barking by rewarding them.
Suppose they’re barking because someone’s at the door. Guide them to an area away from the door and provide a treat. Offering a gift to your dog in this scenario can help develop the understanding after alerting you to someone’s presence, it’s time to go elsewhere.
In unique cases that involve a dog barking out of fear, you may need to recruit the help of a specialized trainer so the dog can work on changing this behavior.
Source: moderndogmagazine.com