Correcting Bad Dog Behavior

We’ve all done it. You come home from a long hard day at work to find that your dog or puppy has chewed up a brand new pair of shoes and in your mind the most satisfying way to handle the problem at the moment is by yelling at your dog.

Scolding is Not the Answer

It’s easy to lose your temper with your dog when he performs a bad behavior. At first, it seems as though that’s the best way to deal with the situation. However, shouting at your dog when he does something bad is not an effective way to correct him. Whether it’s destructive chewing, going potty on the carpet or jumping, the solution is not scolding.

Dogs Don’t Reason Like We Do

So why is scolding so bad? Scolding is something that humans have become accustomed to by experiencing it with other people. Although it doesn’t make us feel good, we’re able to learn from the mistake if it’s pointed out to us. However, dogs don’t have the ability to reason, which is something that people have a tendency to forget so scolding will not have the same effect on them.

You Might Be Sending the Wrong Message

If your dog goes potty on the carpet and you shout at him, the only thing he will take from the experience is to fear eliminating in front of you. In this scenario, he will continue to go potty inside, but hide it from you so that you don’t catch him in the act of doing it.

Just Trying to Make You Happy

You need to keep in mind your dog doesn’t perform bad behaviors to spite you or show defiance. He simply needs to be taught to act in a way that pleases you because making you happy is what makes him happy. Even if you haven’t attended a school for dog trainers you can still correct his bad behavior in a way that will help him learn.

How to Correct Bad Behavior

Use Positive Reinforcement

If you want to learn the best way to teach your dog not to perform unwanted behaviors the right way, consider reading up on positive dog training techniques or hiring a dog trainer.

The best way to get results is to redirect your pet to an acceptable or wanted behavior. For example, if your precious pooch is obnoxiously jumping on you when you walk in the door, simply turn your back to him. Ask him for a “sit” and “stay,” and reward him for this calm behavior. After repeating this action for a few weeks, your dog should start offering you an acceptable “sit” and “stay” rather than the old unwanted behavior of jumping.