It can be extremely frustrating when your dog misbehaves, and you may be left completely clueless on what to do about it. In most cases, dog behaviors are misconstrued by their owners and may cause you to handle the situation in the wrong way. If you have recently bought a new puppy home but are noticing that they are developing bad behaviors, such as chewing, biting, or growling, you must act quickly to prevent the issue from escalating. In this guide, we’re going to look at some of the best tips on what to do when your dog misbehaves.
Visit a dog behavioral specialist
If you simply don’t know where to start when it comes to managing your dog’s behavior, it would be in your best interest to see a dog behavioral specialist at a pet vet Frisco clinic. Animal experts have been trained to deal with different types of behavior and the reasons as to why it may have started in the first place. Registered professionals can be on-hand to identify the source of the problem and put a structured plan in place to improve your dog’s behavior over a period of time.
Give them plenty of exercise
One of the main reasons for your dog’s poor behavior may be because they are simply bored and unstimulated without interaction and physical activity. Therefore, you should aim to give them as much exercise as possible. Similarly to humans, dogs with depression and anxiety may experience lesser symptoms when out in the open air.
Don’t ever strike
Although your dog’s behavior can become irritating, you should never lash out. Dogs don’t understand that this act is meant to rectify their behavior but will instead become extremely fearful of you and potentially cause their behavior to worsen. Commands, on the other hand, are much more effective and will gradually teach your dog the difference between right and wrong.
Remove the reinforcement
There is always a reason why your dog behaves in a certain way, and is often down to the fact that they need a way to relieve their anxiety. Some behaviors such as jumping on their owners may seem cute and fun but are often down to the fact that they’re nervous or frustrated (when fireworks are let off, for example). Before you’re able to stop unwanted behavior, you need to think closely about what could be underlining this behavior and how to keep your dog calm and content in another way.
Don’t praise bad behavior
Dogs don’t understand that certain behaviors are unacceptable. Therefore, if you accidentally praise what they just did, they will learn to recognize their previous action as a good move. With this in mind, you should never confuse your dog by praising them shortly after a negative action, whether that be with a light-pitched voice or giving a treat. The best way of dealing with bad behavior is to simply ignore it. When he/she finishes that certain action a while later, follow on with plenty of praise.
Photo by Joe Pescoran on Unsplash
