Behavior Troubleshooter
Resolving Common Behavior Problems

                                                                by Pia Silvani, CPDT

 Your dog is learning every minute his eyes are open.  If you chase your dog when he picks up a sock, you are actually rewarding him.  What dog doesn’t enjoy a good chase game?  A steak marinating on the kitchen counter or a peanut butter sandwich left on the coffee table are like magnets to your dog.  One taste and he quickly learns to return to the scene in hopes of getting another jackpot!  Your dog needs to learn, early on, that you will make decisions to guide him in the right direction.  He will be happier and more confident if he learns to trust your judgment and comply with your requests.  To help you establish a trusting relationship with your dog:

 ü       Reward behaviors that you like

ü       Prevent annoying behaviors from happening

ü       Teach the dog that acquiescing to your requests is a smart strategy for him

 Who, Me?  Dogs don’t understand the concept of a name and weren’t born knowing it.  They know nothing about our language until we teach them what “words” mean.  His name is just a sound to his ears.  That sound needs to be associated with a behavior.  When you say “come” to your dog, you probably want the dog to move quickly to you.  When you say your dog’s name, your expectation should be “look at me.”  Yet, if you repeat your dog’s name over and over with no response or use it in conjunction with something unpleasant, you are not teaching him the meaning.  Responding to his name is the foundation of all good behavior.  A dog that ignores you when you say his name will typically not comply with your requests.  Whenever your dog looks into your eyes, reward him with a treat, petting or praise.  You want him to expect good things whenever he responds to his own name looks into your eyes. 

 It’s All About Me! – Dogs love and need attention.  You may find your dog so irresistible that you can’t help but dote on him.  This is fine provided this affection isn’t only on the dog’s terms.  If you pet your dog when he is nudging your arm, barking, or jumping up at you, your dog is quickly learning that he can control your behaviors.  This does not mean you can’t give your dog attention, but it is critical to understand that attention should be given on your terms.   

 Notice Me! – Dogs can easily become excited by different stimuli in the environment.  However, they need to learn to control their impulses.  A dog who jumps on people can be quite annoying, but you can teach him that only the right behavior will result in the attention he craves.  To begin, excite your dog.  When he is happily bouncing around, tell him to sit.  This is your off switch.  Once he complies, reward him.  If he does not calm down, walk away or end the play session.  He will learn that greetings must be calm and petting will only occur when he sits quietly, not when he is bouncing all over you.  Of course, you will also need to teach all guests not to greet your dog until he is seated!  Their help is crucial if you want your dog to always greet guests in the same polite, calm manner.

 Manage the Environment – Dogs with good manners don’t see furniture as their possessions.   You may or may not want to allow your dog free access to the furniture.  If dogs on the furniture is okay with you, teach your dog that he is only entitled to lounge on the sofa when invited up and he must willingly get off when asked.  To teach your dog to get off, tell your dog “off” and point to the floor as you toss a treat.  Do this until he responds appropriate and eventually discontinue tossing the treat. 

 At Your Service? - Have you become your dog’s personal servant without even knowing it?  Does your dog tell you to let him out 10 times a day by barking or scratching at the door?  Does he also tell you when to let him in?  Does he let you that it’s time for you to feed him?   Does he demand to play ONLY on his terms, insisting that you pay attention to him whenever he wants?  Does he decide when play starts and stops?  If you realize that you comply with these demands, your dog has done a wonderful job training you to be his personal servant!  Without even realizing it, you may have been reinforcing some inappropriate behaviors.  You can reverse this behavior by putting your dog on a schedule where YOU decide when he goes in and out, when he is fed and when and how playtime occurs.  

 Management and supervision are important in providing structure to your everyday interactions with your dog.  Consistency will help you and your dog learn to cooperate with one another, thus building a strong, healthy bond and a long and loving relationship.