Bad dog behaviour seems to be worse with dogs in the house, simply because this is not a natural environment. Outside, they generally don't have to worry about shoesand vases, and fragile glassware or electrical items that can be ruined by their natural playfulness.
"The vast majority of behavior problems that you have with dogs are normal behavior patterns, but inappropriate for the setting in which they're occurring," says Daniel Q.Estep, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist in private practice in
Its normal for dogs to chew things. In their natural environment, this is not bad dog behaviour. But dogs are fast learners, for the most part. Here are some dog training tips to help you reduce the bad behaviour in your dog, and make the house a better place for the both of you:
1. Give your dog lots of toys. No matter what the age of a dog, from puppy to adult, give them lots of toys. You won't stop your dog from chewing things completely, what you are trying to do is train him to understand what can be chewed and what cannot. The first step is providing him some alternatives in the form of toys.
2. Do not give your dog toys that either used to belong to you, or still belong to you. And this includes old shoes, clothing, or anything. Things you have even once owned, even when washed, will still carry your scent. You may not smell anything but laundry perfumes, but your dog will still be able to pick up your scent. So if you give them anything that belonged to you and encourage them to chew on that, they won't know not to chew other things. And when they get in trouble for chewing things that they shouldn't, they will be thoroughly confused. You are effectively sending your dog mixed messages by doing this.
3. Create a space for your dog that is his. If you have the space, give him a room. Otherwise, a crate or a dog house. Use this when disciplining him, or when you are going out and can't keep an eye on his activities.
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