If you’re an owner of a puppy or a full-sized dog that is constantly biting, chewing, whining, jumping, digging, barking, or being an overall nuisance, your life might be a bit disrupted. However, it can sometimes be difficult to hand an aggressive dog over to the pound because he/she has already become an important member of your family. For all you pet owners who are overwhelmed by a canine with behavioral problems, there are ways to correct the issue before your furry friend gets way out of control!
The fact is that many dogs are naturally aggressive creatures. This means that it’s very important to train your pet early on how to follow your orders so they don’t end up controlling you! Dogs are inherently pack animals and actually feel quite safe with a clear social pecking order. Once you let your dog know who’s boss, aggressive behavior is likely to disappear because they will no longer feel the need to assert their authority over your household. Check out our top five tips to a raising a happy and peaceful canine companion:
Food – the first rule of raising a well-behaved dog is to NOT let it eat off your plate or give it bits of your own food while you’re eating. By doing this, you’re sending the message to your pet that he/she is your equal. Don’t give in to begging, which only serves to reinforce negative behavior. Instead, try having your pet “earn” food by performing a simple trick or exercise. Don’t worry, your dog won’t resent you for doing this--they will actually respect the fact that you are in charge of their food!
Sleeping spots – in a pack of dogs, the leader traditionally gets the comfortable sleeping area. If you have an aggressive dog, you might have noticed that it sleeps on top of you or uses your body as an area to perch. In order to avoid this behavior, give your dog a designated sleep area rather than allowing them on your bed or furniture. If you absolutely love having your pooch nestle up to you on the couch, train it to only come when you call!
Control of the door – many dogs love to dash out the door as soon as you open it, but this can cause a big safety concern, especially if you live near traffic. Make sure that YOU’RE the one who is in control of the door by training your pet to sit before going in and out. Try to avoid letting your dog out every time it whines in order to prevent yourself from becoming a slave to your animal’s whims.
Control of the toys – as the “mother” or “father” of your dog, you have the right to control your pet’s access to their toys. Use their favorite bone or chew-toy as a reward or to reduce anxiety when you’re gone from the house. This is a sure-fire way to avoid bossy and bratty behavior (and it works for kids, too!)
Exercise – sometimes, your dog just needs to act like a dog. By letting your furry friend out of the house and releasing energy outside, they will be more docile once inside. Let them sniff, walk, and run around. You’ll find that a well-exercised and stimulated pooch will be more relaxed and less likely to have behavior problems.
These rules or steps aren’t designed to demean your pet! On the contrary, they will let your dog know that you are in control and can be trusted. A faithful dog won’t feel the need to act aggressively because he or she will be clear on the rules! Above all, enjoy your friendly pooch!
