While you might give your dog all your heart, he might possess a few annoying behaviours that you could do without. Below are the three most common pesky dog behaviours and how you can deal with them.
Pulling The Leash
I’m sure you’ve noticed your dog will pull on the leash pretty often when you take him out for walks. We know that he’s probably just excited to explore, but you might also want to stop this behaviour.
The proper equipment can go a long way. For some dogs, a simple buckle collar and a leash works fine. But for others, you might prefer a harness or a head collar as it gives more control.
A proper dog harness can give the owner more control than a simple buckle collar.
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A lot of time and practice is needed to train your dog to stop pulling the leash. It is essential that he understands that this behaviour is not acceptable, and to do that, you should stop walking when he pulls.
When he stops pulling the leash, you can give him treats to build positive reinforcement, then start walking again. It will be tough the first couple of times and you might not go very far, but you are building a good and solid fountain.
If you do this consistently, he will soon learn that he won’t be able to move forward if he pulls on the leash.
Chewing
It is a dog’s innate characteristic to chew. Unless they are doing it in a destructive manner or in a way that may cause them harm, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Chewing on stuff can actually help your pet relieve stress, release excess energy or to just have some fun.
If your dog is chewing on things that you consider ‘off-limits’, say a simple ‘no’ or ‘stop’ in a low and firm tone. Give him a chew toy as a replacement, and praise this behaviour.
Give your dog something to chew on, like their favorite chew toy, to stop them from chewing your furniture and clothes!
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However, ensure that his favourite toy isn’t an old article of clothing or something around the house. You’ll just be training him to chew on other clothing or furniture, which is exactly what we are trying to prevent.
Barking Excessively
This one is pretty common. It’s natural for them to bark, but not excessively. The reason why they do it can be for a variety of reasons, but mainly it comes down to either loneliness or anxiety. However, if he’s only picked up this behaviour from out of nowhere, consider talking with a qualified vet to rule out a medical issue.
You can help reduce this behaviour by saying ‘no’ in a firm voice when he starts barking, and providing treats once he stops. Keep your voice strong, steady and clear, but don’t yell. You can also distract him from this behaviour by providing toys or puzzles.
Are there any other behaviours that you need help with? Let us know down below!
