Quick ways to fix five common dog behaviour issues

All dogs are good dogs. But no matter how perfect your pooch or diligent your training, dog behaviour problems may crop up.

The good news? Common behaviour problems in dogs are well understood by dog trainers and are relatively easy to troubleshoot.

Whether you have a bossy barker, a shameless beggar or a prolific chewer, more peaceful days are possible. Here, Karen Reese – a Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer and behaviour manager at Operation Kindness animal shelter in Texas – breaks down how to solve five bad habits.

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Barking

Some dogs bark – and bark, and bark, and bark – when they want something, whether it’s food, a toy, or your attention. If you have a dog that keeps barking, you're not alone.

"If your dog has trained you to respond to their barking demands, it may be time that you train them; there are nicer ways to ask for things that they want," says Reese.

One of the most common mistakes pet parents make is yelling at excessive barkers. “Your dog will most likely think ‘Hey, now you are barking, too! We are barking together!’ and they will keep barking,” explains Reese.

Our guide on dog barking can help if you need more.

Why do dogs bark?

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. Possible reasons for barking include:

• Anxiety

• Attention-seeking

• Boredom

• Communication

• Excitement

• Frustration

• Habit

• Loneliness

• Territorial concerns

How to stop your dog barking

Instead of barking back, try the following:

• Remove the trigger

• Use positive reinforcement

• Consistent commands

• Enrichment activities

Jumping up

Have a jumper? You’re not alone. Although considered rude by human standards, paws-on greetings are the norm in the canine world.

“Jumping is a natural greeting and play behaviour for dogs,” says Reese. “Affectionate face greetings are a deeply ingrained behaviour from puppyhood, so it’s up to you to teach your dog how to greet appropriately.

Why do dogs jump up?

There are numerous reasons why a dog likes to jump. But it’s mostly to say “hello!” or seek attention.

It can get a bit much at times, though, as owners accidentally positively reinforce the behaviour by giving their dogs lots of fuss when they jump up.

Rarely, it can indicate excitement or nervousness too. Thankfully, if your dog is a bit too jump-happy, you can train them to stop the behaviour.

How to stop jumping up

If you have a dog that keeps jumping up, try these steps:

• Turn away and ignore

• Teach alternative behaviours (like "sit")

• Reward calm greetings

• Positively reinforce behaviour when your dog is calm

Destructive chewing

Inappropriate chewing can be costly for you and dangerous for your dog. “Dogs naturally use their mouths to explore the world around them, but it’s important to teach them the things that they should and shouldn’t chew on,” says Reese.

Luckily, most destructive chewing is relatively easy to direct. Most of the time, offering a variety of quality, pet-safe chew toys will do the trick. "It's important to consider how your dog interacts with the items that they are chewing on, since this will tell you which types of toys they might enjoy most," she says.

Dogs who love couch cushions will likely enjoy chewing on stuffed dog toys, says Reese. Have a heavy chewer? Try something more durable, such as a KONG toy, she suggests. Some KONG toys offer treat-dispensing features, which can further engage dogs and keep their teeth focused on the task at hand.

If your dog engages in destructive behaviours while you’re away from home, it could signal separation anxiety. Separation anxiety can be a more severe problem and should be addressed with your veterinarian or trainer.

Why dogs chew destructively

Usually, chewing is a symptom, not a cause. All dogs like to chew, but excessive chewing can indicate a problem like:

• Anxiety

• Boredom

• Dental issues

• Dietary deficiencies

• Exploration (encountering new things)

• Lack of attention

• Teething

How to prevent destructive chewing

So, how do you keep dogs from chewing furniture and everything else you love and value?

• Dog-proof your home by keeping shoes, laundry and other chewable toys out of reach

• Provide chew toys and plenty of mental stimulation

• Positive reinforcing calm, non-destructive behaviour

• Redirect chewing to something else, like a toy

• Regular exercise

An essential thing to remember is to never punish your dog for chewing or being slow to training; negative reinforcement only makes things worse and slows down learning.

Our guide on how to stop puppy chewing can help.

Digging

Occasional digging is just plain fun. But a dog that keeps digging is likely bored.

“Dogs that dig may not be able to find anything more entertaining to do, so it’s up to us to make sure that they have more appropriate ways to outlet their energy,” says Reese.

• Spend quality time in the garden. Being outside alone gets boring. Join your dog outside and play games together, work on training exercises, or offer toys when they begin to dig. They'll likely prefer your attention!

• Increase exercise. Digging can be a way to burn off excess energy. Make sure your dog is getting daily walks and plenty of exercise.

• Build a ‘dig box.’ Some breeds – especially those used to hunt small animals – are naturally drawn to digging. These pups may benefit from a "dig box," which is essentially a digging zone or sandbox for dogs.

Why dogs dig

Dogs dig due to:

• Anxiety

• Attention-seeking

• Boredom

• Burying “treasure”

• Instinct (mostly hunting instincts)

• Nesting

• Security, especially before sleep (which is sometimes why your dog will pretend to dig on their bed)

• To cool down

How to stop digging

Dog keeps begging for food? Try these:

• Address environmental triggers

• Give your dog plenty of exercise and mental stimulation

• Positively reinforce non-digging behaviour

• Provide a designated digging zone

• Redirect your dog when they start digging, like to a toy or your designated zone

Begging

Begging for table food is common, and for a good reason – many of us can’t resist those pleading puppy eyes. Instead of training your dog, you’ll have to train yourself to ignore their whimpers. “If demanding behaviour has worked in the past, don’t be surprised if they beg harder,” warns Reese.

Consistency is key, says Reese. Make sure the entire family knows the new policy and isn’t sneaking snacks under the table. Once your pup goes a whole meal without begging, reward them with plenty of positive praise.

When giving your dog treats or feeding meals, instil good manners by asking them to “sit” first. “Teaching your dog to ‘say please’ is a way of living with your dog that creates trust and confidence,” says Reese.

Why dogs beg

Like other behaviours, it’s a mix of instinct and reinforcement. Dogs naturally beg to get food, and they do it because it works.

Reasons for begging include:

• Attention-seeking

• Genuine hunger

• Inconsistent feeding schedules

• Positively reinforcing the behaviour

How to stop a dog begging

It’s hard, but a few of the key strategies, like aligning mealtimes and ignoring begging, can help.

You can stop it by:

• Feeding your dog before you eat and being consistent with meal times

• Ignoring your dog when they ask for food (no eye contact, talking or petting)

• Making sure your pet is getting the nutrition they need

• Not feeding your dog when they beg, especially from your plate

• Rewarding your dog when they don’t beg

• Telling your dog to go elsewhere when you eat, like their basket, and then rewarding them for staying there

As with anything else, be consistent and never punish your dog; positive reinforcement is the best way to teach new things and unlearn pesky habits.

If nothing works and your dog is extremely food-motivated, it may be time to see a behaviourist.

Is it time for behaviour training?

Many common behaviour problems can be easily addressed at home. In fact, a lot of "bad dog behaviour" is within the owner's hands to fix.

However, if problems persist, consider professional training. Not only can training improve manners, but it’s a great way to bond with your pet and learn new skills together!

When searching for a trainer, make sure they use positive, reward-based methods. Collaborative and conflict-free, reward-based training is the most effective way to motivate your dog and strengthen your relationship.

At ManyPets, our Complete Care dog insurance plan covers behavioural treatment up to the vet fee limit to treat a condition after an accident or illness - that means your dog can get all they need to get through any behaviour issues.

Get behavioural cover up to £20,000 as part of your overall vet fee limit, on Complete Care

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