There is no doubt that dogs are adorable animals and are the best company for man. Having a dog as a pet brings us countless benefits, but it also has certain disadvantages. And is that sometimes they adopt negative behaviors that strongly condition our day to day. We talk about the most common bad habits and their possible solutions.
They ignore our orders
While some dogs immediately come to our calls and obey our commands, others ignore them completely. The big difference between these two groups is that the former have been properly trained and the latter have not.
At first it may seem to us that the fact that the animal does not follow our instructions is not important, but the truth is that in certain situations it can be a problem. For example, if we wanted the dog to release something that it had in its mouth and that could harm it.
The solution in this case is simple, but it requires time and patience. Repetition and positive reinforcement are the great keys to make the furry one learn to obey us. You should never yell at him and, of course, physical punishment is not an option.
Bark when a knock at the door
The dog is a protective and territorial animal by nature, so it will bark when someone knocks on the door it's his way of defending home. It is, therefore, a common behavior, and difficult to correct.
It is impossible to make the dog never bark when it notices the presence of someone behind the door, but yes these annoying barking can be reduced. For this, nothing better than 'practice'. We can ask a friend or relative to knock on the door and, when the animal begins to bark, calm it with a firm but calm command. Once he is quiet, we will reward him with food and caresses.
Cry to order food
It doesn't matter how much they have eaten; there are dogs that are never satisfied. For this reason, they often cry insistently while we are at the table. It is a very annoying habit that, fortunately, can be eliminated.
First of all, it is essential that never give food to the animal from the table. Otherwise, we will be encouraging this behavior. To end it, we will have to ignore their complaints. If you still insist, it would be wise to take the dog out of the dining room while we finish eating. As the days go by, you will stop ordering.
Separation anxiety
It is one of the most serious behavior problems and yet very common. Dogs are sociable animals that they hate being alone, and for this reason, many of them cry desperately when we leave them alone at home. This notably conditions our life, since we cannot abandon our obligations.
The best way to get the animal used to being left alone is go little by little. First, be absent for 5 or 10 minutes, and then gradually increase the time. So our pet will assimilate that sooner or later we will return with her.
Hyperactivity
This problem involves many others. However, do not confuse hyperactivity with nervousness. Dogs are generally very active, but this doesn't have to be a problem. The problem arises when the animal acquires obsessive and / or destructive behaviors.
To treat hyperactivity, the first step is provide the animal with the physical exercise it needs. Daily walks are essential, as well as games. A hyperactive dog also needs a calm environment and to run away from stress. However, sometimes it is necessary to turn to a professional trainer.
Aggressiveness
Aggression can have its origin in several causes: fear, nervousness, trauma ... Whether against people or against other animals, it is one of the most serious problems that we can face. There are some guidelines to help us to end this aggressiveness, but the most advisable thing is hire the services of an educator.
Relieve yourself at home
It is very common, especially in puppies. In addition, they cannot go out until they have all the vaccinations, at approximately 12 weeks. But in some cases they maintain this annoying habit when they become adults. To teach the animal to relieve itself in the street, we will have to offer him long walks and reward him every time he takes them outside. Sometimes it is a very slow process, so we will have to waste a lot of patience.
Pull the strap
It is a very frequent problem. Dogs must be walked on their leash to avoid dangers and accidentsbut they love freedom. For this reason, they tend to jerk to move at will and 'escape' from their bonds. This can lead to physical damage, especially if the animal suffers from respiratory problems.
One of the most effective tricks to prevent the dog from pulling on the leash is to replace the harness with a traditional collar, as well as discard the extendable strap. In addition, we must accustom him to walk next to us instead of letting him pass us during the walk.
Destroy objects
Destructive behaviors often hide deeper problems and can be caused by many causes: tooth pain in puppies, lack of exercise, separation anxiety, etc. The first step to ending them is determining their origin. In many cases, we will need the help of a trainer to do this.