Dealing with a misbehaving dog can feel overwhelming, transforming a loving relationship into a source of daily stress. However, most common dog behavior problems stem from a lack of clear communication or unmet needs rather than malice. By understanding the root cause of these behaviors and applying consistent, positive training techniques, you can effectively correct bad habits and restore peace in your home.
Eliminating Excessive Barking
Barking is a natural form of communication for dogs, but when it becomes incessant, it disrupts your life and annoys the neighbors. To fix this, you first need to identify why your dog is barking.
Demand Barking
If your dog barks at you to get food, attention, or a walk, this is demand barking. The solution requires absolute consistency: ignore it. Do not look at the dog, touch them, or speak to them—even to say “no.” Any reaction reinforces the behavior. Wait for a moment of silence, then immediately reward them with attention or the item they wanted (if appropriate). This teaches them that quiet, calm behavior yields results, while noise gets them nothing.
Alert Barking
If your dog barks at passersby or the doorbell, they are alerting you to a “threat.” Acknowledge the alert once by checking the window and calmly saying, “Thank you,” then redirect them. If they continue, ask for an incompatible behavior, such as going to their bed or performing a “down-stay.” Reward the compliance heavily. You can also desensitize them to triggers by creating a positive association; for example, toss a treat near them every time someone walks by the house before they have a chance to bark.
Stopping Destructive Chewing
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs to explore the world, relieve stress, or soothe teething pain. However, it becomes a problem when directed at your furniture or shoes.
Manage the Environment
Prevention is the first step. If you cannot supervise your dog, they should be in a crate or a dog-proofed room where destructive chewing is impossible. Remove temptations like shoes, remote controls, and children’s toys from their reach.
Redirect and Reward
When you catch your dog chewing a forbidden item, avoid angry outbursts. Instead, interrupt them with a low-level noise to get their attention, then immediately offer an appropriate chew toy. Once they engage with the correct toy, praise them enthusiastically. Rotate their toys weekly to keep them interesting.
Increase Mental Stimulation
A bored dog is a destructive dog. Physical exercise is necessary, but mental exhaustion is more effective for curbing destruction. Use puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, or frozen kongs to keep their brain occupied. If they are tired and satisfied, they are less likely to look for trouble.
Controlling Leash Pulling
Walks should be enjoyable, not a test of your upper body strength. Dogs pull because they walk faster than humans and are eager to explore the environment.
The “Be a Tree” Method
Teach your dog that pulling never moves them forward. As soon as the leash creates tension, stop walking immediately. Stand still like a tree. Do not yank the dog back; just hold your ground. Wait until the dog looks back at you or creates slack in the leash. The moment the leash is loose, praise them and continue walking.
Change Directions
If stopping isn’t working, change direction. When your dog pulls ahead, immediately turn 180 degrees and walk the other way. This forces the dog to pay attention to your movements rather than the environment. Reward them with a treat near your leg when they catch up to you. This builds the habit of checking in with you and staying close.
Breaking the Jumping Habit
Dogs jump up to greet people because it brings them face-to-face with you and usually results in attention (even negative attention like pushing them down counts).
The Four-on-the-Floor Rule
Remove the reward for jumping. When you walk through the door and your dog jumps, turn your back immediately. Cross your arms and look at the ceiling. Become boring. Do not engage until all four paws are on the floor. Once they are standing or sitting, greet them calmly. If they jump again, turn your back again.
Inform Your Guests
Training fails if your guests encourage the behavior by saying, “It’s okay, I love dogs!” and petting the jumping dog. Instruct visitors to ignore the dog until the dog is calm. For persistent jumpers, keep them on a leash when guests arrive so you can prevent them from making physical contact until they are sitting politely.
Managing Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is one of the most difficult behaviors to fix because it occurs when you aren’t there. It manifests as destruction, howling, or house soiling when the dog is left alone.
Desensitization to Departure Cues
Your dog likely gets anxious the moment you pick up your keys or put on your shoes. Break this association by performing these actions without leaving. Pick up your keys, then sit on the couch and watch TV. Put on your coat, then do the dishes. This teaches your dog that these cues do not always mean you are disappearing.
Start Small
If your dog panics after 10 minutes, you must leave for only one minute. Step out the door, wait 60 seconds, and return. Only return when the dog is quiet. Gradually increase the duration of your absence over weeks.
Keep Departures and Arrivals Low-Key
Do not make a scene when you leave. Say a boring “see you later” or say nothing at all. When you return, ignore the dog for the first few minutes until they are calm. This reduces the emotional contrast between you being home and you being away.
Addressing Resource Guarding
Resource guarding occurs when a dog growls, snaps, or stiffens when you approach their food, toys, or sleeping spot. This is a natural instinct but dangerous in a household.
The Trade-Up Game
Never punish a growling dog, as this takes away their warning system and may lead to a bite without warning. Instead, teach them that your approach predicts something better, not a loss. If they have a bone, approach them with a high-value treat (like cheese or chicken). Toss the treat to them so they drop the bone to eat the treat.
While they eat the treat, pick up the bone, then immediately give the bone back. This teaches the dog that giving up an item is temporary and profitable. If the guarding is severe, consult a professional behaviorist immediately to ensure safety.
Finding Success Through Consistency
The common thread in fixing all dog behavior problems is consistency. Everyone in your household must follow the same rules. If you forbid the dog from the couch but your partner allows it, the behavior will never go away. Be patient, reward the behaviors you want to see, and remember that training is a lifelong process of communication between you and your dog.