If your Dog has a Behavior Problem…

What is a behavior problem?

It's the difference between what you want and what you get -- from your dog. He's probably doing doggie stuff at what you consider an inappropriate time or place. He's not a diabolical demon planning to drive you insane. He's just a dog doing what comes naturally. It's basically miscommunication from human to canine. It erodes your relationship and makes you both unhappy. So how about teaching him what you want in a way that you both can live with.

Something to consider. Things change. For example, a woman has a dog that barks. She doesn't mind its barking because she is single and lives alone in a house. Now she moves into an apartment and the dog is still barking! *Now* it's a problem. Has the dog changed? No. Has the woman changed? No. Have the circumstances changed? Yes. So she needs to teach him appropriate new behavior. Is it going to be hard? Well, it's certainly easier to teach a dog him when you're working with a clean slate, but it IS doable.

Keep in mind that every time your dog does what you don’t want him to do (such as jumping on people), he's getting better at jumping on people because he is practicing jumping on people -- because when he practices, he gets better! (Think about the tourist asking directions to Carnegie Hall of a New York musician. "Practice, practice, practice.") Instead of thinking what you don't want, think of what you want him to do and guide him towards your goal -- and start now rather than waiting to "see if it's going to get any better" -- it probably won't.

Have a strategy.

When your dog does something you don’t like, you have five options:

Ignore it. (For example, ignore his jumping on you when you come in the door.) Expect it will get worse before it gets better -- that's actually a normal part of learning. You can’t use this option if there is danger to you, your dog, or someone else.
Redirect it. (Give him a treat or toy when you come in.)
Manage it. Put him in a situation so he can only do what you want. (Have him on a leash so you have more control over him.)
Train something different. (Train an incompatible behavior such as Sit instead of jumping up when greeting visitors.)
Punish it. Punishment is the least desirable of the options. It only stops that particular behavior as it is occurring at that particular moment. It does not change -- permanently change your dog's future behavior. There are definite rules for punishment that must be adhered to every time it is used -- no exceptions, whether you are present when the behavior happens or not. It is much easier to train your dog to do what you want him to do than to punish him for his actions.

Change the word. If your dog has not been responding to a command in the past (for example, the word “come”), start training that behavior with a new word (for example, use the word “here” instead).

Think about your behavior. Your dog’s refusal to respond to commands may not be “willful disobedience” on his part. Maybe you think you are punishing him when you are actually rewarding him. Maybe you think he is trained when he really isn't. Whose job is it to determine whether the person at your front door is friend or foe -- yours or your dog's? Hmmm.

You are everything. You should be a better reward or should control a greater reward than anything else in his world. If he will now only work for treats, then learn how to be the leader who your dog looks to for guidance rather than just being a treat dispenser.

Dissect the problem.

When analyzing a behavior problem, here’s some questions to get you started:

***Listen to your dog. He will tell you if what you are doing is working or not. He will tell you if he is stressed. He will tell you if you are meeting his needs. He will give you all the information. Listen to him so you can both work together successfully and harmoniously.