Owning a Pet with Dog Behavior Problems, No Problem!

Dogs, like people, can adopt some strange behaviors. When your dog acquires Dog Behavior Problems, the sooner you step in and begin to break him of those problems the sooner you both will be able to smile and enjoy each other's company. Enjoying each other's company is your aim and your dog's aim. He won't know how to do this without proper training from an early age. However, bad habits can be changed at any age with the proper behavior modification methods.

Dog Behavior Problems can fall into many different categories. They can range from chewing unacceptable things in your home to barking, biting, other aggressive behavior or separation anxiety and everything in between. Once determining the problem it is always possible to correct it. Just as humans respond well to praise and rewards, so do dogs. Be sure to praise appropriate behaviors.

Walking down the street with your leashed dog is a good method of socialization, as are dog parks, doggy day care and other opportunities for them to meet and greet other dogs. Learning to accept these other dogs is another opportunity for training. If your dog barks or tries to attack another dog, patting him on the head is rewarding him because you are giving the attention he wants. Better to give a stern voice command and a tug on the leash without any further correction if possible. Then continue your walk and socialization.

Phobias are another dog behavior problem that should be dealt with. Is your dog terrified of thunder storms? Crate training for these naturally den programmed animals may be what is needed to provide that haven and protect him from the storm. This requires training and may possibly prevent that 80 pound dog from considering your lap as the only safe place to be.

Chewing habits can usually be broken with behavior modification. If you catch your dog chewing something unacceptable, replace that item with something that is acceptable. If food is your dog's passion a Kong type toy may be the perfect reward. If you find your favorite pillow in shreds when you return home, that is not the time for punishment. Your dog will think you are punishing for what they are doing at that time.

Excessive barking can be a dog behavior problem if they bark every time the doorbell rings or the delivery man drives up to your home. Teaching your dog not to bark constantly may be as easy as teaching him to speak on command.

Research may be required to find the training modality that is right for the lifestyle in your home. Some things that need to be considered are the time you have to spend with your pet and how much of that time is quality time. Specific training is best done in short increments of five to ten minutes every day. They didn't learn that these Dog Behavior Problems were problems until you scolded them. Now it is up to you to learn the training methods to break those problems.