How to Stop a Dog's Unwanted Behavior
Determine the cause of your dog's behavior., Look at your behavior., Look at your dog’s environment., Consider his diet.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine the cause of your dog's behavior.
Remember that your dog makes all of his choices out of his own self-interest.
What is your dog getting for this behavior? Is it your attention, good or bad? Is it turning into a fun game for your dog? After establishing what is causing your dog to act in such a way, you’ll better understand how to change his behavior for the better.Think broadly about your dog’s behavioral issues.
Most likely, your dog is acting badly for a number of reasons.
You should consider a number of factors including its diet and the amount of time it spends exercising or locked up in a kennel/cage/room. -
Step 2: Look at your behavior.
Do you leap to the dog's beck and call by yelling at it or cajoling it to stop? Maybe this is exactly what your pooch wants from you.
Even angry attention is attention — your dog craves to be noticed and be part of the pack.
If you only notice or give attention when your dog is acting up, you are responsible for "training" him to be bad., Is there something almost “irresistible” in your dog’s space? This might take some detective work or it may be incredibly obvious! If your dog chews on slippers, remove them.
If your dog can’t help but bark at people walking outside your house, obstruct its view.
Set your dog up for success.
When your dog behaves properly, you can reward it.
Without triggers, your dog will behave better., Is there a pattern to the start of his bad behavior that coincides with a change of diet? A lot like some kids with food or additive intolerances, some dogs can be intolerant of a particular ingredient or preservative in a food and it shows it's as hyperactivity and bad behavior.
If you suspect this to be the case, run a detox and either put him back on his original diet, or give him a bland (chicken and rice) diet for a couple of weeks and see if his behavior improves. -
Step 3: Look at your dog’s environment.
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Step 4: Consider his diet.
Detailed Guide
Remember that your dog makes all of his choices out of his own self-interest.
What is your dog getting for this behavior? Is it your attention, good or bad? Is it turning into a fun game for your dog? After establishing what is causing your dog to act in such a way, you’ll better understand how to change his behavior for the better.Think broadly about your dog’s behavioral issues.
Most likely, your dog is acting badly for a number of reasons.
You should consider a number of factors including its diet and the amount of time it spends exercising or locked up in a kennel/cage/room.
Do you leap to the dog's beck and call by yelling at it or cajoling it to stop? Maybe this is exactly what your pooch wants from you.
Even angry attention is attention — your dog craves to be noticed and be part of the pack.
If you only notice or give attention when your dog is acting up, you are responsible for "training" him to be bad., Is there something almost “irresistible” in your dog’s space? This might take some detective work or it may be incredibly obvious! If your dog chews on slippers, remove them.
If your dog can’t help but bark at people walking outside your house, obstruct its view.
Set your dog up for success.
When your dog behaves properly, you can reward it.
Without triggers, your dog will behave better., Is there a pattern to the start of his bad behavior that coincides with a change of diet? A lot like some kids with food or additive intolerances, some dogs can be intolerant of a particular ingredient or preservative in a food and it shows it's as hyperactivity and bad behavior.
If you suspect this to be the case, run a detox and either put him back on his original diet, or give him a bland (chicken and rice) diet for a couple of weeks and see if his behavior improves.
About the Author
Carolyn Rodriguez
Experienced content creator specializing in DIY projects guides and tutorials.
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