Caring for a naughty dog requires dog parents to be patient, loving, and consistent. It is easy to become stressed, frustrated, and upset when you see your dog behaving poorly. With a few basic training techniques, you can not only cope with your naughty dog, but train him to become a well behaved dog. Sometimes just properly exercising and socializing your dog gets rid of boredom and bad behaviors. If the bad behaviors continue, then you must identify the triggers for the poor behavior. Then you can desensitize him to these stressful triggers by reinforcing good behavior. Continue reading to discover the steps you can take to train your naughty dog to be nice.
1. Exercise and Socialize your Naughty Dog
You can prevent poor behavior from occurring in the first place by keeping your dog both mentally and physically stimulated. Bad behaviors are often a result of boredom or not enough exercise. When dogs have too much energy, they tend to come up with their own activities which can be destructive, such as chewing on furniture or other valuable items around the home. After a dog is properly exercised, he is tired and relaxes at home instead of looking for something to keep him occupied. Group dog walks are a great option for busy dog owners. Your dog will receive the daily exercise he requires from walking, will learn good habits and behaviors from the pack, and will get to socialize in a structured environment with other pups. Daily mental and physical stimulation are imperative for a well balanced dog.
2. Identify the Triggers for the Bad Behavior
For many dog owners, properly exercising and socializing your dog will get rid of the bad behaviors. But sometimes, the poor behaviors will still persist. If they do, you must first understand the source of the bad behavior your dog is displaying. This will help you retrain and focus in the right direction. Triggers for the bad behavior can be in any form, such as thunderstorms, loud noises, walking by a larger dog on the street, children playing and screaming, or the presence of a cat. Every dog has different triggers and will react accordingly. You should observe your dog’s body language to help you identify the trigger. For example, your dog might bark aggressively when someone knocks on the door or hide in the corner during a thunderstorm. Other signs could include lifting up his ears, chewing on the furniture, or urinating on the floor. Noticing the bad behavior can be quite easy for dog owners. The challenge is observing and identifying the trigger that comes right before the bad behavior. You can always get the help of a professional dog trainer if you’re unsure where to start.
3. Retrain Your Dog’s Bad Behavior
To teach your dog good behavior, it is important to provide the correct training. There are many ways you can retrain your dog’s bad behavior. One way is to desensitize your dog to the trigger. You can do this by slowly introducing your dog to the stimulus. The amygdala in the brain is thought to be linked to the development of phobias. Each day, you can increase the volume of the thunder and the amount of time the thunder plays for. This will help your pup get accustomed to the noise.
Another method is to minimize opportunities for the bad behavior and redirect the bad behavior by offering an alternative. This will help correct the bad behavior in a positive manner. For example, if your dog likes to chew on your child’s toys, be sure not to leave them laying around on the floor. In addition, you can buy enticing dog treats for him to chew on instead, such as yak cheese or bully sticks.
4. Hire a Professional
In order to have a well balanced pup, your dog needs to exercise and socialize. Group dog walks are a great way for daily socialization and structured exercise. A well exercised dog will not misbehave at home due to boredom. If your dog misbehaves in response to a certain trigger, then you should address that misbehavior directly. It is usually a good idea to reach out to a local Dog Trainer if your dog is properly exercised and still displaying destructive behaviors at home.
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