Dogs are one of the most amazing creatures; they shower you with unconditional love, loyalty and companionship. Having pets makes your life healthier and better. However, sometimes dogs can act weird. Destructive behavior is one of the most common things in young dogs. If you own a dog, then you must know how to control dogs.
Dogs can start acting weird under different situations, like moving to a new house, someone’s death in the family or when the dog is left alone for a long time. You must always spend some quality time with your dog to keep their behavior in control. Here are some simple tips on how to control dogs in various situations.
Dogs’ chewing and destructive behavior
- A dog will start misbehaving if he notices that you are not paying attention to him. From the point of view of a dog, negative attention is much better than no attention at all. However, you must always remember to never punish the dog, because that will make the problem worse. The dog will feel rejected and will start acting in inappropriate ways.
- The act of chewing on things is very normal for a dog. Boredom, anxiety, teething or insufficient exercise are one of the reasons why the dog will start biting onto things. If you want to avoid this kind of behavior then buy some chewing objects for your pet.
- While you are away, you can keep your dog preoccupied by giving him one sustained release food device, like Buster Cube or an Activity Ball. These toys are made with hard plastic and have some empty space where you fill dog’s food.
- Make sure that you keep all your belongings in a safe place where the dog cannot reach. Keep your shoes, ipods, clothing and remote controls in a safe and unreachable place from the dogs. Always remember that you must never offer a sock or shoe to your dog as a toy, because they will get confused as to what is an acceptable toy and what is not.
- Increase the exercise of your dog and this will eventually decrease their destructive behavior in the house. A dog that has a good morning walk is likely to sleep when he is back home. Go for on-leash walks, as this will get rid of boredom from your dog’s life.
- Get your dog enrolled in a training class for building his confidence and reducing his boredom. Start teaching the dog afew commands like “drop it” so that he will drop some of the things that he starts chewing. The best way to make him learn “drop it” is by exchanging the toy with this favorite food.
Controlling a dog that bites
- If you have a dog that bites then you will have to pay constant attention on your dog and never leave him unsupervised. Someone from the immediate family should be always present to control the dog.
- If you have some kids visiting you, then you must introduce them to the dog in a safe place. Even if the dog gets comfortable with kids around him, you must never leave the dog unattended. Children will usually do something and the dog will get worked up and you must get the child before the dog does.
- Make sure that everyone in your neighborhood knows that your dog bites. Post some warning signs on the fences and on the entrance that you have a vicious dog on the property.
- Try to train your dog and make him a more friendly dog. You can hire a professional trainer for controlling your dog’s behavior as well.
Controlling dog aggression
- Dogs in their natural habitat will try to show their dominance over other dogs by displaying aggression. You must get a soft command in your voice and force your dog to knock off such behavior. This will assert your dominance over the dog and will make the dog understand that he is not the leader of the pack who is aggressive for protecting others.
- Always react immediately. If you want your discipline to be effective, you will have to react when the aggression occurs. If the dog starts growling at a guest in your home, it can be embarrassing to get up and shout back, but this is the only way you can control your dog.
- You will have to separate your dog from the source of aggression whenever he acts up. There is another way you can explain your dog that he is not the boss. Whenever your dogs shows aggression in front of you, immediately take him to a small closed room where he will miss all the action. However, do not keep your dog there for a long time or he will get more aggressive.
- Start making a startle can. Dogs have acute sense of hearing and he will never enjoy the loud intrusive noise. Take an empty coffee can and fill it with pennies. Whenever your dog bares his teeth, shake this can vigorously besides him. He will immediately learn that aggression will lead to more noise and he will alter his behavior.
- Get your dog enrolled in an obedience class. These classes will give a wonderful opportunity for your dog and will make him learn how he needs to behave with new people and dogs.
With correct training, exercise and love your dog will automatically learn what kind of behavior is normal and what is not. If you tried all the above-mentioned things and you are still not able to control your dog, then you will have to contact a behaviorist for controlling your dog’s behavior.
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