Understanding Your Dog

No matter what kind of problematic behavior a dog has, the dog is doing this because of some perceived benefit.  For instance, a dog that barks all day is lonely and, like a little puppy separated from its mama, wanting to let others know his location.  A dog that jumps on people is expressing excitement. 

 

If you are observing a bad behavior in a dog, it is a good idea to figure out what the benefits of that behavior are for the dog.  For example, the lonely dog might be better off if you have a dog sitter come by during the day or if you enroll her in doggie day care.  In that way, you are addressing the emotional needs of the dog.

 

Another way of addressing the behavior is to have the dog do something that is incompatible with the bad behavior.  For example, if the dog is on a sit-stay when people come in (you will have to practice a lot), then the dog cannot be jumping up. 

 

Think about why the behavior is happening and you may have some clues about how to deal with it.