Bad behavior can make owning a dog more of a chore than a joy. Whether it's jumping on people, chewing, digging, going to the bathroom in the house or barking, their bad habits can be an annoyance to you as well as your neighbors and family members. Breaking a dog's bad habits will not be difficult if you follow these steps.
Instructions
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- Be consistent. If you tell your dog not to do something one time and then completely ignore it the next, the dog will get a mixed signal. Do not expect his behavior to change unless you make the commitment to correct him every time.
- Watch your behavior. See if you are unknowingly doing things that encourage your dog's behavior. If you give your dog what she wants when she barks, such as feeding her or letting her out to keep her quiet, you are reinforcing her bad habits. Instead, when she barks, tell her no and make her lie down. Praise her when she is calm, whether it happens right away or takes several minutes.
- Provide an alternative. If your dog digs in the yard, provide a designated place where it is okay to dig. Praise him when he digs in that spot or give him a treat. When he digs in an inappropriate spot, stop him and lead him to the place where he is allowed to dig. Use the same technique when the dog is chewing. Pretty soon he will learn which things are okay to chew and which are not.
- Have designated training sessions. Take ten or fifteen minutes without interruption to practice with your dog.
- Use the same commands. If you want your dog to get down when she jumps on you, say "down" every time. Make sure every person in the family is using the same commands.
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Tips & Warnings
- Don't punish your dog. When you catch him misbehaving, correct the behavior and praise him when he stops.
- Never punish a dog for something she did in the past. She won't know what she is being punished for. She will only know that you are angry.
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