5 Common Dog Bad Habits and How to Curb Them

Can you imagine what the world would be like without dogs? These adorable pets truly make life worthwhile. But sometimes, they exhibit bad habits that can give you a daily headache. Fortunately, the most common behavioral problems of dogs can be corrected. Take a look at these common dog bad habits and how you can deal with them:

1. Aggression towards other dogs

Walking an aggressive dog that picks fights with just about anything and anyone can be a nightmare. This bad behavior can discourage dog owners from even attempting to walk their dogs. This is the kind of issue that should be corrected as early as possible.

The entire process starts with you. Regardless of your dog’s behavior, you need to remain calm and assertive in handling your dog. Avoid shouting, running, yelling, or retreating; instead, keep a steady and relaxed pace of walking. This way, you won’t cause your dog to become overly excited or tensed. Also, always have your dog on a leash. Get her to wear a sturdy martingale collar so you can hold her back while minimizing the risk of injuries.

2. House soiling

Urinating or defecating indoors is one bad habit that must be addressed quickly. Allowing your pet to turn your home into a toilet can result to ruined floors, a funky smell that never seems to go away, and a lot of stress for everyone. Dogs usually pee to mark their territory or leave messages to other dogs, but sometimes, it can be a medical issue, too. Rule out any medical cause first, then proceed to training.

Every time you catch your dog about to urinate or defecate indoors, interrupt with a firm ‘no’ then take her outside to finish her business. Reward the behavior when it is done outdoors. Neutering is also recommended since marking is often exhibited by intact pets.

3. Begging

A begging dog might look cute to a lot of people, but begging is a bad habit that dog owners also need to correct. Giving in to your dog might encourage her to persistently ask for your attention while you’re eating. Be strong and resist giving in to your dog even if she looks at you with her puppy eyes. Refuse to acknowledge begging, too. Remember that consistency is key when dealing with bad dog behavior. Ask your family members to do the same. If you give in once, the dog knows it will only take a considerable amount of barking or whining until the food comes.

4. Digging

Digging is an innate dog behavior. For dogs, this is an extremely rewarding activity that is imbedded in their DNA. So does this mean you have to give in and live with a yard that resembles Swiss cheese? Not really.

Dogs dig for a reason. It can be to release pent-up energy, follow a scent, search for prey, exercise curiosity, relieve anxiety, or simply to alleviate boredom. You can address these causes by providing your dog physical activities, mental stimulation, and individual attention. When a dog is occupied, the urge to dig dissipates.

But will the urge to dig ever go away? No. If this dog behavior truly drives you nuts, compromise and designate an area where digging is allowed. It can be a small space in the yard or a sandbox, or you can just take your dog to the beach regularly.

5. Separation anxiety

There are two facets to separation anxiety. One, it stresses dogs out. Two, when it is severe, dogs exhibit destructive behaviors like chewing furniture, excessive barking, and house soiling. The best course of action is to address the situation the moment you see the first signs of separation anxiety.

Make your departures a positive experience for your dog. Avoid drawn out and dramatic goodbyes and overly excited reunions. Also, give your dog treats and exercise them before you leave. If nothing changes, you can also consider prescription drugs or professional desensitization techniques for your pet.

Knowing how to handle the most common bad habits of dogs allows you to discipline your pet better and have a more rewarding relationship. Give these ideas a try and help your dog be the best pet she can be.