Are your dogs badly behaved? If so, it can sometimes be challenging to know what to do. If a dog is naughty, they can feel uncontrollable. The truth though is that naughty dogs are usually just bored, untrained, or under-exercised. They're not inherently bad in any way. Dogs don't have that ability. Also, there are plenty of proven fixes that really work. All you need to do is find the one or the combination of fixes that work for your pup.
So, what should you do? How can you stop your dog from being naughty and turn them into a little angel?
Be patient and consistent with them
One of the best strategies to have to make your dog behave better is to be patient and consistent with them. Usually, naughty dog behavior can resolve itself in one to two weeks of regular effort. All you need to do is make sure that they have the right routine and training regimen to get through their current struggles. Just be patient, and things usually work out.
Go to a trainer
If you're trying your best and things still aren't working out for your dog, then you could go to a trainer, something that KC Dawgz recommends. Trainers have special techniques and consistent programs that allow them to train dogs at the highest level to behave better. The difference between your dog from when you drop them off to when you pick them up is often enormous.
Training works because it's based on positive reinforcement. The more training your dog has, the better they're able to reprogram themselves in specific situations. For example, if your dog is constantly jumping up at people when they come to the door, training can fix this problem. The same is true of aggressive behavior. Dogs can get into the habit of barking, especially if they feel afraid when they're out of the house. With proper training, you can reduce this behavior significantly and prevent your pets themselves from feeling stressed.
Go for short, frequent walks
If you think that your dog's bad behavior is because they're being cooped up inside the apartment all day, then one solution is to take them out for short, frequent walks. Dogs can get bored quickly, a bit like people, which can lead to behavior that you don't want. But when you get them out of the house and exercising, that suddenly disappears.
Also, when you're out for walks, you can practice commands with them. Telling them what to do in the park makes them more amenable pets because you can instruct them to stay, sit, lie down, or come to you.
Ignore their attention-seeking antics
Dogs will sometimes seek your attention in naughty ways. Often this comes in the form of jumping but it could also mean barking for food. If you notice this behavior, don't reward it. Instead, look away from your dog and cross your arms. Then, if you see them being calm, reward that behavior with a treat. Don't confuse them. The trick here is to be as consistent as you can. Dogs will quickly learn what types of behavior get the results they want and which don't.
Manage the environment
The thing you could do is manage the environment a bit like you might if you decided to babyproof your home. Dogs will often take advantage of novel or fun activities if they can, such as biting your chewing on your shoes or sitting on your furniture making a mess. The way to eliminate these problems is to block your dog from forbidden places in the home, like your living room or your bedrooms. You can also use bitter spray on your furniture and tuck away shoes so that they can't reach them.
Of particular importance is keeping them out of the pantry and the bin. Dogs will sometimes go exploring in these places if they feel hungry or they just want to snack on something a bit different. Don't let them do this.
Engage in positive reinforcement
As mentioned, it's a good idea to engage in positive reinforcement sessions. Successful dog owners do this every day for 5-10 minutes. Reinforcement sessions tell the dog exactly the type of behavior that's going to be rewarded.
Traditional training was a bit difficult because you had to have a deep understanding of how dogs' minds worked, and you needed to be consistent. However, these days there are apps that can guide you through the training process step-by-step, so you don't need to learn everything from scratch.
Once you start training your dog, you'll notice that they'll stay, sit or “leave it” when you give the instructions.
Train for downtime
Another pro tip is to train your dog for downtime.
Sometimes you want your dog to be active because it's good for them and it makes owning a dog more enjoyable. However, it's also solid practice to create a cosy den for them with treats and toys so that they have something comfortable and exciting to retreat to when they feel tired.
Also, you can literally train your dog for downtime. Putting them away in a cozy location can be a great way to reduce the risks of accidents and destruction, especially when they're hyperactive.
Provide brain games for mental stimulation
Naughty dogs also sometimes need something that's going to preoccupy their minds. If you give them something to focus on, usually the bad behavior will disappear. For example, you could stuff a toy with peanut butter and get them to chew it out, or you could reward them with food after they solve puzzles. When you provide dogs with mental stimulation and keep them busy, it takes their mind off other activities. They are much more likely to focus on the task instead of chewing up your furniture.
In summary, dogs aren't naughty, but they can behave badly if conditions aren't right for them. As an owner, it's your job to figure out what might be going wrong and how you can fix it.
Be patient and consistent with them
One of the best strategies to have to make your dog behave better is to be patient and consistent with them. Usually, naughty dog behavior can resolve itself in one to two weeks of regular effort. All you need to do is make sure that they have the right routine and training regimen to get through their current struggles. Just be patient, and things usually work out.
Go to a trainer
If you're trying your best and things still aren't working out for your dog, then you could go to a trainer, something that KC Dawgz recommends. Trainers have special techniques and consistent programs that allow them to train dogs at the highest level to behave better. The difference between your dog from when you drop them off to when you pick them up is often enormous.
Training works because it's based on positive reinforcement. The more training your dog has, the better they're able to reprogram themselves in specific situations. For example, if your dog is constantly jumping up at people when they come to the door, training can fix this problem. The same is true of aggressive behavior. Dogs can get into the habit of barking, especially if they feel afraid when they're out of the house. With proper training, you can reduce this behavior significantly and prevent your pets themselves from feeling stressed.
Go for short, frequent walks
If you think that your dog's bad behavior is because they're being cooped up inside the apartment all day, then one solution is to take them out for short, frequent walks. Dogs can get bored quickly, a bit like people, which can lead to behavior that you don't want. But when you get them out of the house and exercising, that suddenly disappears.
Also, when you're out for walks, you can practice commands with them. Telling them what to do in the park makes them more amenable pets because you can instruct them to stay, sit, lie down, or come to you.
Ignore their attention-seeking antics
Dogs will sometimes seek your attention in naughty ways. Often this comes in the form of jumping but it could also mean barking for food. If you notice this behavior, don't reward it. Instead, look away from your dog and cross your arms. Then, if you see them being calm, reward that behavior with a treat. Don't confuse them. The trick here is to be as consistent as you can. Dogs will quickly learn what types of behavior get the results they want and which don't.
Manage the environment
The thing you could do is manage the environment a bit like you might if you decided to babyproof your home. Dogs will often take advantage of novel or fun activities if they can, such as biting your chewing on your shoes or sitting on your furniture making a mess. The way to eliminate these problems is to block your dog from forbidden places in the home, like your living room or your bedrooms. You can also use bitter spray on your furniture and tuck away shoes so that they can't reach them.
Of particular importance is keeping them out of the pantry and the bin. Dogs will sometimes go exploring in these places if they feel hungry or they just want to snack on something a bit different. Don't let them do this.
Engage in positive reinforcement
As mentioned, it's a good idea to engage in positive reinforcement sessions. Successful dog owners do this every day for 5-10 minutes. Reinforcement sessions tell the dog exactly the type of behavior that's going to be rewarded.
Traditional training was a bit difficult because you had to have a deep understanding of how dogs' minds worked, and you needed to be consistent. However, these days there are apps that can guide you through the training process step-by-step, so you don't need to learn everything from scratch.
Once you start training your dog, you'll notice that they'll stay, sit or “leave it” when you give the instructions.
Train for downtime
Another pro tip is to train your dog for downtime.
Sometimes you want your dog to be active because it's good for them and it makes owning a dog more enjoyable. However, it's also solid practice to create a cosy den for them with treats and toys so that they have something comfortable and exciting to retreat to when they feel tired.
Also, you can literally train your dog for downtime. Putting them away in a cozy location can be a great way to reduce the risks of accidents and destruction, especially when they're hyperactive.
Provide brain games for mental stimulation
Naughty dogs also sometimes need something that's going to preoccupy their minds. If you give them something to focus on, usually the bad behavior will disappear. For example, you could stuff a toy with peanut butter and get them to chew it out, or you could reward them with food after they solve puzzles. When you provide dogs with mental stimulation and keep them busy, it takes their mind off other activities. They are much more likely to focus on the task instead of chewing up your furniture.
In summary, dogs aren't naughty, but they can behave badly if conditions aren't right for them. As an owner, it's your job to figure out what might be going wrong and how you can fix it.
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