7 Common Dog Bad Habits And Their Solution

Depending on how your puppy is trained, his genetics or even his environment, it is not uncommon for dogs to develop behavioral problems. Dog behavior problems are common and can range from inconvenient to dangerous. If your furry friend has developed an unwanted dog bad habit, there are simple solutions that can help you break the bad habit.

Here are the most common dog bad habits behavior problems and how to solve them.

Excessive Barking

All dogs bark and some breeds like huskies tend to be louder than others. However, excessive barking is one of common dog bad habits can become a nuisance to you and other people. In most cases, dogs vocalize to alert you, get your attention, or because of anxiety. However, in some cases, your puppy may develop a habit of barking when he is bored or simply wants attention.

Solution

The first step to reducing excessive barking is understanding why your dog barks. Do they bark when they are alone, when they are around other dogs, or when you are not paying attention? Once you understand why, you can solve the problem using the appropriate method

• If your dog is simply barking to get attention, ignore him until he quiets down. Do not engage the dog when he is barking, as this will only reinforce his behavior
• Teach your dog a silent command and reward him when he successfully completes the command
• If your dog barks when overexcited or around other dogs, remove them from the situation until they calm down.

Hyperactivity and Unruliness

While most dogs love to run and play, some dogs become hyperactive and unruly, making them difficult to handle. If your dog tends to be hyperactive, it is usually because he is looking for mental and physical stimulation. Dogs can also become unruly when not properly trained.

Solution

• Depending on breed, age and size, dogs have different exercise requirements. Always ensure your dog gets an adequate amount of daily exercise.
• Including too much sugar in your dog’s diet, especially from sugary human snacks, can cause hyperactivity. Avoid sharing table scraps with your pup and ensure their diet includes healthy, nutrient-dense foods.
• Get some dog toys. Boredom and lack of mental stimulation can lead to unruly behavior, so toys and playtime are good distractions.
• Obedience training. Training your dog to obey commands such as sit and stop will help curb unruly behavior. Patience and consistency in training is the best way to get your puppy to respond to commands. You can also hire a professional trainer to help you with obedience training.

Aggression

Aggressive behavior common dog bad habits can be especially problematic because it can lead to dangerous situations for your dog and others. If you notice that your dog has started to show signs of aggression, such as growling and baring his teeth, it is important to deal with the problem quickly. Most problems with aggression stem from poor socialization and lack of proper training.

Solution

• Consult your veterinarian to rule out any health problems. In some cases, sick dogs can be more aggressive.
• Hire a professional trainer to help you deal with aggressive behavior.
• Always ensure that your dog is kept outside on a lead so that it does not harm other pets or people. Never leave an aggressive dog alone with children or strangers.

Jumping

Your puppy may develop a habit of jumping on people to greet them. Jumping may seem harmless, but it can be dangerous, especially if your dog is doing it to strangers or children. In most cases, jumping up is a behavior that requires attention. This means that the way you react to it can reinforce your behavior.

Solution

• Avoid stroking, petting, or talking to your dog when he jumps up on you. If you acknowledge them, then it reinforces the behavior as an effective way to get your attention.
• Every time your dog jumps up, simply ignore him and turn around until he is calm and his feet are back on the ground.
• Reward and praise your dog when he stops jumping. If they pop up again, ignore them and turn around. If you repeat this consistently every time they jump on you, the dog will soon learn that they only get your attention when they are still and on the ground.

Inappropriate Elimination

A dog that poops or pees in the house can be a handful. If you find that your dog keeps eliminating in the house or has accidents constantly, it is important to first understand why this could be happening. Inappropriate elimination can be due to lack of proper house training, not allowing your dog out to eliminate, or in some cases health issues.

Solution

• Check with your vet to rule out medical conditions. This is important since some medical conditions can make your dog incontinent.
• Make sure that you are letting your dog outside to eliminate at least 3 to 5 times a day. Dogs that are locked up for hours on end may have no choice but to eliminate inside the house.

Biting

Biting is a dangerous common dog bad habits behavior problem that can make it difficult to live happily with your puppy. While most dogs bite when they feel threatened or anxious, your dog may become accustomed to biting and biting when they want attention. It is important to fix this problem as soon as possible before it becomes dangerous for you and others.

Solution

• Call a professional to help train your puppy to stop biting. Ignoring your dog’s biting behavior will only teach it to be okay to bite.
• Never leave a dog prone to biting with children, other pets or strangers.

Chewing

Chewing is a common behavior problem in dogs. Most dogs will chew on things like furniture, shoes, and other items around the house out of boredom, anxiety, or excess pent-up energy. However, puppies usually start chewing on objects when they are teething. Chewing is a destructive behavior and can quickly become a nuisance if not stopped early.

Solution

• Make sure your dog has plenty of exercise and play time. Bored puppies will look for ways to release their energy and this can lead to chewing.

Get your dog plenty of toys to play with. Chew toys are especially important for teething puppies.