Dogs – Common Problems

Croft’s quick reference guide on how to manage common behavioural and training problems with dogs. Contact us for more information.

Jumping up

• Give no attention for jumping up
• Turn your back on your dog 
• Give lots of attention when not jumping up
• Ask your dog to ‘sit’ before greeting
• BE CONSISTENT

Fears and phobias

• Can be specific or generalised
• Do not give reassurance as this reinforces fear
• Ignore the behaviour
• Provide a den to allow your dog to 'escape' and feel secure
• Desensitise (calming CDs)
• Don’t force your dog to confront the fear - seek advice
• Socialisation and habituation are the key to avoiding and reducing problems in the first place 

Snatching or stealing food

• Teach your dog the ‘leave it’ command
• Regular practice will help
• Remember to praise good behaviour
• Do not punish mistakes

Unwanted vocalisation – including whining, ‘talking’ and barking

There are lots of reasons for barking:

• 1. Attention seeking
• 2. Internally reinforcing – they like the sound of it
• 3. Alerting to danger
• 4. Frustration
   

• Never reward inappropriate barking
• No reprimands! If you shout you are only reinforcing to the dog that vocalising is appropriate at that moment
• Walk away or ignore your dog when it occurs and praise when quiet

Destructiveness & separation problems

• Teething encourages chewing to relieve pain
• Provide chews, filled bones, stuffed kongs
• Confine your dog when left alone
• Calming CDs can help

Guarding behaviour

• Teach your dog to exchange one object for another and the ‘leave it’ command
• To prevent food guarding, use tasty treats to add to the food bowl when your dog is eating
• Do not keep taking the food away. This only gives your dog a greater reason to guard their food more

Walking on a loose lead

Dogs pull for two reasons:

• 1. They have never been taught not to
• 2. It gets them where they want to be faster – if it doesn’t they will stop!

• Every step taken when a dog is pulling reinforces the behaviour.

• Choke chains, halti’s and harnesses: these should not be used for puppies. A puppy can be taught to walk on a loose lead with patience and practice, and the once the lesson has been learnt they don’t forget.

 

These are just some very brief pointers to help you.  If you have any ongoing issues then it is important that you consult a professional early to help you solve them and prevent them escalating