Posted on June 15, 2024

Understanding and addressing common dog behavior problems is essential for fostering a harmonious relationship with your canine companion. From excessive barking to destructive chewing, these behaviors can disrupt household peace and indicate underlying issues that need attention. Here’s a guide to some prevalent dog behavior problems and effective solutions to help you and your furry friend live happily together.

Excessive Barking

Problem: Excessive barking can be triggered by various factors such as boredom, anxiety, territoriality, or the need for attention. They may also be sensitive to sounds; they may have started barking for one reason, but continue for another reason; barking gets them attention, and at times, even if it’s bad attention. It not only disrupts your household but also affects neighbors, leading to frustration and stress for everyone involved. 

Solution: Addressing the root cause of excessive barking is crucial. Begin by ensuring your dog receives adequate mental and physical stimulation through regular exercise and interactive play sessions. Engaging activities help channel their energy positively and reduce the urge to bark incessantly. Utilize positive reinforcement techniques like treats or praise to reward moments of quietness, gradually teaching them the "quiet" command. Avoid resorting to yelling or punitive measures, which can heighten anxiety and exacerbate the barking behavior.

Destructive Chewing

Problem: Dogs may engage in destructive chewing out of boredom, teething discomfort, separation anxiety, or simply out of curiosity. This behavior can lead to damaged furniture, shoes, and other household items, causing frustration and financial strain. It can also cause expensive vet bills due to an intestinal obstruction, or even death. Pretty serious situation. 

Solution: Provide your dog with appropriate chew toys designed to satisfy their natural chewing instincts. Rotate toys regularly to keep them interesting and engaging. Use deterrent sprays on furniture and other off-limits items to discourage inappropriate chewing. Ensure your dog receives sufficient physical exercise and mental stimulation through activities like puzzle toys or interactive games. Consider crate training as a safe space when you're not available to supervise, preventing destructive behavior during your absence.

Separation Anxiety

Problem: Dogs with separation anxiety experience distress when left alone, often manifesting in behaviors such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, or even self-harm. This can make leaving your dog alone a stressful experience for both of you.

Solution: Addressing separation anxiety requires patience and a systematic approach. Start by gradually acclimating your dog to being alone through short absences, gradually increasing the duration as they become more comfortable. Create a safe and comfortable space with soothing music or toys to alleviate anxiety during your absence. Seek guidance from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for severe cases, as they can provide personalized strategies and techniques to manage and reduce separation anxiety effectively.

Jumping Up

Problem: Dogs often jump up on people as a way to greet or seek attention, which can be bothersome and even risky, especially for children or elderly individuals.

Solution: To discourage jumping behavior, it's essential to ignore it and only acknowledge and reward calm greetings. Teach your dog an alternative behavior like sitting politely when meeting people. Consistency is key—inform visitors of your training efforts and request their cooperation in reinforcing good behavior by not engaging until your dog is calm and seated. By consistently reinforcing the desired behavior, you can effectively reduce jumping and promote more polite greetings.

Pulling on the Leash

Problem: Dogs that pull on the leash can turn walks into a frustrating experience for both you and your dog, making it difficult to enjoy outings together.

Solution: When teaching your dog how to walk with you, training walks are critical. Training walks are not typical walks. This period teaches a dog to learn to follow you and/or walk next to or close to you on a loose leash. It’s something that should be taught before going on “normal walks". Work with your dog on a loose leash speeding up, slowing down, making left turns and right turns. Lots of changes early on to get them use to following your flow. And it starts at home, where there is low stimulation. That way you can gain their attention In a setting that sets them up for success.

Aggression

Problem: Aggression in dogs towards people, other animals, or specific situations can stem from fear, territoriality, resource guarding, or inadequate socialization.

Solution: Addressing aggression requires careful management and professional guidance. Identify triggers that provoke aggressive responses and avoid such situations whenever possible. Consult with a qualified dog trainer or behaviorist to develop a behavior modification plan tailored to your dog's specific needs. Utilize positive reinforcement techniques to reward calm behavior and teach alternative responses in challenging situations. Always prioritize safety by managing your dog's environment and interactions to prevent aggressive incidents.

Begging for Food

Problem: Dogs may beg for food during mealtimes, which can be annoying and reinforce undesirable behavior, leading to unhealthy eating habits.

Solution: To discourage begging, ignore the behavior and refrain from giving in to table scraps or treats during meals. Establish regular feeding times and use puzzle feeders or interactive toys to provide mental stimulation and occupy your dog during meal preparation. Reinforce desired behavior by rewarding calm and patient waiting with praise or small, healthy treats. Consistency and patience are key to reducing begging behavior and promoting positive mealtime manners.
Teaching the place command (open kennel concept) is a very useful command and is great for many situations (door manners, not begging at the table, downtime, breweries, restaurants, picnics, etc). Crate your dog while you eat, feed your dog at the same time you eat; never give your dog table scraps as this will surely create begging behavior.

Digging

Problem: Dogs may dig out of instinct, boredom, or as a way to seek attention or escape confinement, which can lead to unsightly yard damage.

Solution: Provide designated digging areas in your yard filled with loose soil or sand where your dog is encouraged to dig. Bury toys or treats to make these areas more enticing and rewarding. Ensure your dog receives ample physical exercise and mental stimulation through activities like interactive play and obedience training to reduce boredom-induced digging. Use barriers or supervision to restrict access to areas where digging is unwanted, preserving your yard while allowing your dog an appropriate outlet for natural behaviors.

Excessive Licking

Problem: Excessive licking in dogs can indicate underlying issues such as anxiety, boredom, skin irritation, or simply seeking attention. It can lead to skin problems or develop into obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Solution: Address any potential medical causes of excessive licking by consulting with your veterinarian. Treat underlying conditions such as allergies or skin infections to alleviate discomfort and reduce licking behavior. Provide alternative activities like interactive toys or puzzle feeders to distract your dog from excessive licking. Use positive reinforcement techniques to redirect their attention to more appropriate behaviors, promoting overall well-being and minimizing the habit of excessive licking.

Fear of Thunderstorms or Loud Noises

Problem: Dogs may exhibit fear or anxiety during thunderstorms, fireworks, or other loud noises, resulting in trembling, hiding, or destructive behavior.

Solution: Create a safe haven indoors where your dog feels secure during noisy events. Use tools such as thundershirts, calming pheromones, or soothing music to help alleviate anxiety and provide comfort. Gradually desensitize your dog to loud noises by playing recordings at low volumes and gradually increasing the volume over time while offering positive reinforcement. By creating a calm environment and slowly exposing your dog to loud noises, you can help them develop coping mechanisms and reduce their fear response effectively.

Addressing common dog behavior problems requires patience, consistency, and a thorough understanding of your dog's needs and behavior. At Underdog K-9 Academy, LLC, we're dedicated to helping you and your dog overcome behavior challenges and build a strong and harmonious relationship.

If you're struggling with dog behavior problems or need assistance with training, don't hesitate to contact us at (513) 746-8007 or email us at [email protected]. Let us help you and your dog live happier and more fulfilling lives together.