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Dealing With Our Dogs’ Behavior

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Not only are dogs part of our family, but they give us joy and lots of love! We do everything we can to make them happy and be sure that they have everything they need to feel at home. But sometimes, our furry friends may misbehave or cause some stress in our lives. It is a lot of work to train and care for them and they do not always make it easy!

Dogs can exhibit different behaviors and personality traits, which influences their actions in the home. Some examples are different breeds are more high strung, require more exercise and room to run around. Others are more laid back and docile, while others may not be sociable or like to be around other dogs. Knowing your pet’s personality and habits can determine how to appropriately and effectively train them. A few main issues are house training, chewing, and socializing with other dogs.

A few tips for house training include starting to address the issue as soon as your dog comes home for the first time. They need to be aware that your home is their home too, but it must be respected! Teaching your dog to go outside is not an easy task, but can be built into part of your routine quite easily. Making your dog aware of when it is time to go outside can be helpful when it comes to conditioning them to relieve themselves outside. Using a bell or positive reinforcement such as a treat can help your pet understand. Using a leash/harness while outside can allow you to keep them focused on the task, as well as using a quick phrase to help them learn that this time should be used for going to the bathroom, not playing. A phrase as short as “Go potty” can help. Reward your pet for a job well done after they go to the bathroom outside. This becomes a great ritual for dogs and owners. Not only is it potty training but also leash training your dog. Based on your dog’s size and if they are still growing or not, you can pick out personalized dog collars or harnesses for them to wear during these training exercises.

When a puppy is teething, they may be more inclined to chew things around the house such as shoes, furniture, and the corners of rugs. Decluttering your home can help decrease the chance for your puppy chewing on your belongings. Always make sure your puppy has toys to play with and chew. If you catch your puppy chewing something that is not theirs, address the issue immediately and replace the item with a toy for the puppy to play with. Some fun options for chewing are antler dog chews or heavy-duty toys for puppy teething. When choosing toys for your pet, always pick a toy that is safe for dogs and is an appropriate size. If unsure, always reach out to the seller, as they will have the correct information on chew bones and toys.

Lastly, sometimes our dogs do or do not want to be social with other dogs. If you have a dog you have rescued, always be sure to have all the correct information on your dog’s personality and likes/dislikes. The organization should be able to give you information, including if the dog is social and friendly with other dogs and people. When introducing your dog to other dogs, be sure to keep them on a leash and if necessary, a harness for better control. Slowly introduce your dog to others, as well as limit the number of new acquaintances as to not overwhelm your dog. When socializing your pet, always be sure that they have all of their vaccines and shots before interacting with other dogs and people.

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