DFW dog behaviorist Nikki Maier discusses the true root of many behavior problems, and how you can overcome the number one mistake even “good” dog owners make.
When I first met this dog, he could have been the poster child for why your dog needs guidance! At only 6 months old, he had completely destroyed their house.
There is a common misconception that the root of all behavior problems is mistreatment. Somewhere along the lines, someone mistreated this dog and that’s why it behaves this way. Could have been physical abuse, could have been neglect, but something must have happened. While this can certainly be true, there’s a much more common cause of behavior problems – one key mistake that even the best of dog owners makes.
The number one cause of dog behavior problems is a lack of guidance. We spend a lot of time telling our dogs how we don’t want them to act (“Get off the couch!”, “No! Drop that!”) but how often do we take the time to teach our dogs how we do want them to act? How proactive are we about our dog’s behavior? This simple shift in mindset goes a long, long, long way.
Dogs are looking for guidance. They’re expecting to be told what not to do, but they also catch on quickly when you consistently take the initiative to show them what to do with themselves. If left to their own devices roaming around your house while you go about your daily life, they’ll create their own little world. The trouble with this is the behaviors they choose to engage in are very rarely behaviors we’re okay with.
For example, a dog left to roam the house by himself while his owner is at work may begin to chew inappropriate items. First a favorite shoe, then a rug, then a couch. Obviously if he’s home by himself he’s not receiving any guidance, so that’s easy to see. What about when you are home? Let’s say you arrive home from work, walk the dog (which is more like the dog walking you), and then your dog resumes his roaming while you make dinner. You’re not actively giving your dog any instructions on what he should be doing, so he once again takes it upon himself to find a “job.” Let’s say your dog chooses to patrol the windows and bark like mad anytime something passes by. After half an hour of this behavior, you’re frustrated. This barking is obnoxious! Your darn right it is, but is it really fair to yell at your dog in this moment?
On the flip side, here’s a better way to interact with your dog:
These dogs have been properly crate trained. They’re happy to come out and see me, but patiently wait to be invited out.
You return home from work and let your dog out of his crate. You’ve taken the time to properly crate train your dog, so he doesn’t mind spending time in there while you’re at work. In fact, he has much more peace of mind in his crate than he ever did roaming your house. He associates his crate with calm behavior, a place to relax. He has nothing to “worry” about in there, and the most difficult decision he has to make in there is how he’d like to curl up. While you change for your evening walk, you put your dog in a down/stay there in your room. You can tell by his body language, relaxed manner, and loosely wagging tail that he’s enjoying spending time with you.
During your walk, your dog heels until you release him for a bathroom break. When he’s finished, you call him back to a heel, and you continue about your walk in a calm, comfortable fashion. You can pass dogs, strollers, kids, joggers, cars, etc. and while your dog observes them curiously, he doesn’t react at all.
When you get back to the house, you lead your dog over to his ‘place’ while you make dinner. Place is a designated spot for your dog to relax, typically marked by a dog bed, mat, or blanket. Your dog’s job is to stay on that place until you call him off. You’ve taken the time to train this as well, so he’s feeling calm and content as he relaxes in his place, giving you a chance to praise him for such good behavior.
Your dog isn’t stressed, and neither are you.
This kind of lifestyle requires slightly more work than the former, but it’s worth it. A little more effort on your part constitutes an enormous shift in behavior on your dog’s part – not to mention peace of mind for you both.
Give it some thought. If you need help and you’re looking for a Dallas / Fort Worth dog trainer, give me a call. I can help you create a lifestyle that both you and your dog can enjoy! We can overcome behavior problems, prevent future problems, teach you how to take the initiative, and teach your dog the skills he needs to know.
Change is possible!