We love our dogs but let’s face the facts; there are some common dog behaviors that can break our relationships. With the exception of financial hardship, relocation, and he just got too big, the top reasons dog owners severe their relationships with their dogs are common behavioral problems that could have been remedied with a little time, effort, and understanding.
Incessant barking
Few things are more trying on a dog owner and their neighbors than the dog that won’t stop barking! He barks at passing cars, creaks in the floor, trees blowing in the wind, and even the sound of the furnace coming on. Sometimes he barks for no apparent reason leading us to wonder if perhaps the house may be haunted! So how do you stop this incessant barking before the neighbors call the police? Obedience training has proven very successful in quelling the urge to bark at everything because this type of training teaches dogs to act against their natural impulses.
Some dogs bark as a sign of boredom. They become very adept at finding even the most minor stimulus and act upon it. They want to play and expect that barking at a sound will cause the sound maker to come in to view so they can chase them and play. It’s likely these dogs bark when the family is relaxing for the evening and the household activity has died down. Changing the dog’s routine so he can burn off some extra energy in the evening just might do the trick.
Refusing to come when called
It may seem as though the dog went deaf or forgot his name every time he’s off the leash and this can be dangerous for the dog and a liability for the dog owner. Dogs don’t come when they’re called because they want to have fun and may not understand that coming to their owner is a good thing. To teach this behavior dog owner should praise dogs for coming even when they aren’t called. For some dogs, just calling their name may not be enough. They hear their name being called but don’t know what to do. Teaching a standard command like “come” may lead to greater success. Turning or moving away from the dog while calling it can also be effective. This behavior tells the dog that they should be following you in a different direction.
Bathroom accidents
All dogs can be housebroken within reason. No dog can be expected to “hold it” for unreasonable periods of time without an occasional accident. Be fair to the dog and have a realistic schedule for potty breaks. The dogs feeding schedule should be conducive to their walking schedule so they can relieve themselves when necessary. Filling the food dish and leaving for the day is a common occurrence for working dog owners. A full food dish and an unattended dog can lead to obesity issues and bathroom accidents. Dogs need a feeding schedule and appropriate portion control.
The best way to discipline dogs for accidents is to catch them in the act. When dogs get scolded after the fact, they associate the mess on the floor, not the accident that put it there, with their human’s disapproval. Most dogs will demonstrate behaviors like sniffing the carpet, walking to, scratching or staring at the door, or whining for attention when they need to go out. It’s important to recognize these behaviors and act on them quickly. Showing enthusiasm and praising the dog when it lets you know it needs to go out can go a long way.
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