Our paw friends are so cute and adorable, not to mention loyal or amazing. They just have all that love to give unconditionally,and be there for us at any time. And we love them for that, even when we get back home and find something destroyed or chewed up, or when you try to have a meal and your dog is so close and looking with those big sparkling puppy dog eyes.. Well here are 5 most common bad dog behaviors and some ways how to stop them.
#1. Begging at the Table
No matter how cute or desperate for food your dog looks, consistency is the key to curbing dinner-table begging. Make sure no one in your family feeds the dog from the table. Even if his begging only works once in a blue moon, he’ll repeat and escalate the behavior until all his barking and whining pays off with a rare food reward. Instead of giving in, provide your dog with an appropriate dinnertime activity, like enjoying his own toys or food puzzles.
#2. Digging in the Yard
Digging is an extremely rewarding activity for dogs, whether they’re digging to reach a scent or simply to release pent-up energy. Help your dog practice this behavior appropriately by giving him a sandbox or section of the yard where he’s allowed to dig.Make sure this area has clearly marked visual boundaries, and use treats and toys to make this new digging place more exciting than the old one.
#3. Stealing Food Off Counters
Trainers call this bad behavior ”counter-surfing.” It’s one of the more difficult habits to break, since the dog experiences a huge reward for stealing the food: He gets to eat it! The easiest way to solve this problem is to eliminate the opportunity. Don’t leave food around, and use baby gates or fencing to restrict your dog’s access to the kitchen when you’re not there to supervise him. Teaching the “leave it” command is useful for when you catch him in the act of stealing snacks.
#4.Chewing Inappropriate Objects
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, since they explore their environment with their mouth. It also relieves stress and boredom, and helps keep their teeth clean.When you catch your dog chewing inappropriate objects(like shoes, as many dogs do), redirect the chewing to an appropriate item, like a chew toy or stuffed Kong. Then praise your pup for selecting an acceptable outlet for his chewing behavior. Talk with your veterinarian about which chews are safe for your dog.
#5. Urine Marking Inside the House
This is one of the most “eww”-worthy bad behaviors. Dogs pee on things to mark territory or leave messages for canine friends, which is generally acceptable outdoors. If you catch your dog urine marking(or even preparing to mark) inside the house, quickly interrupt him with a “no” or an “oops” and take him outside. Then reward and praise him for choosing to urinate outdoors.To prevent frequent urination in the same household spot, remove the scent of previous urine marks with a good enzymatic cleaner.
