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.
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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.
READ ALSO: Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
good post thank you for sharing
So have i ruined my dog by yelling at him?i feel horrible afyer reading this cause I’ve had him since he was a puppy now he’s too years old he’s a pitbull but he’s always listened I would have yelled at him I Now he seems like a skittish dog and I guess it’s my fault and I feel horrible I don’t know what to do I’m in tears right now I didn’t mean no harm I thought I was doing okay cuz he listened I’ve never laid a hand on him only yelled at him he’s a good dog great dog he’s just always worried something is going to fall on him or something like that is just skittish is this my fault for yelling at him
I’ve been guilty of yelling at my dog too. I feel terrible but you know what? We can’t make this about us. Instead, focus on getting better and being better. Stop yelling and catch yourself; when your dog does something wrong, the best thing you can do is calmly handle the situation. You have 5 seconds to draw your dog’s attention. But keep in mind; he/she will not understand a punishment. Reinforce good behaviour, but there’s not much you can do to correct bad behaviour because they honestly do not understand.
Learn to forgive yourself, but not forget what has happened. Learn from the experience.
Good post Chuck, humans are learning too
very helpful, thank you. Been guilty of this by habit, but when not scolding and just “showing” a dog what you want, it does work best.
Thank you very much. I was actually googling “best way to scold a dog”. Im so glad thats not the answer and theres a better way.
My dog likes to whine or run at other dogs while we are on a walk and I cannot get him to even pay attention to a sit or other command when there is another dog nearby and scolding doesn’t work either. Any ideas on how to stop this behavior?
Did he apologize?
The second he returns give him a treat. Keep reinforcing.
I have a 12 year old dog that is living with me and he use to be able to roam his own house. Our house he can’t poppy inside and he has to stay in the kitchen and he knocked the gate down and pooped and peed inside and I didnt yell but I did tell him I was upset at him and he wasn’t suppose to do that .
Joanna I think the dog is trying to tell you sonething. At 12 yrs old he maybe can’t hold his wee etc as long as a younger dog? Maybe needs more breaks from the kitchen. It must be sad for him to be couped up there.
How do I get my dog to stop chewing paper and cardboard?
How do I redirect for this behavior.
How to keep my 6 month old puppy from actually chewing and drawing blood from my old dog. He wants to play but he can’t be trusted alone at any time.
It can happen to the best of us. You come home from work and find that your dog made a mess. They wake you up in the middle of the night to bark at a squirrel. They jump on your friends every time they come to visit. Sometimes it happens before you even have a chance to think about it: you yell at your dog to discourage the behavior.