5 Most Annoying Dog Behaviours and How to Stop them

              

   #1 Jumping up at you/visitors

We all know that this leap of affection is just for kisses and love, but it can be very annoying and embarressing for you when having people over.

How to prevent this behaviour:

- Ask the visitor or yourself to completely ignore the dog when performing this act, just gently push them down and continue to ignore their need for attention; the dog should soon grow tired of being ignored

- To further this, only when the dog responds to correct behaviour, for     example if you or the guest asks the dog to sit, only then will the dog     recieve the attention they are requiring and can then be rewarded with fuss or treats.

#2 Begging/Stealing food

We've all been given the puppy dog eyes whilst we have being eaten and have been constantly winged at until we crack and give them food or treats, this is very annoying behaviour when you just want to sit and enjoy a meal or sit in peace.

How to prevent this behaviour:

#Begging

 -Perseverance is key. 

The best way to stop a dog from begging is simply ignoring them, with you getting angry, rewarding them or even giving them eye contact is giving them attention and the reaction they are looking for, try your best and soon they will tire of not being given what they want from winging.

#Stealing food

    - When you eat, the dogs eat, most importantly in another room, with the door shut; if you want to save the dogs some meat or leftovers into the seperate room, ask them to sit and reward them with your treat.

                                             - If you are just snacking, get your dog to sit, if they try and jump up or go for your food, stay calm and simply ask them to sit, do not reward them until you have finished snacking. 

#3 Excessive Barking

Yet another behaviour that winds not only us but the whole neighbourhood up, a dog continuously barking for, as you can tell, no reason.

How to prevent this behaviour:

- Keep calm (easier said than done), your dog will reflect your body language and auora, remain calm and reassure them there is nothing to bark at.

-Figure out why or what they are barking at e.g. object, person, sound and try and alleviate them from the situation; If difficult to do so, try moving your dog from that specific room or area and see if that helps narrow things down. 

#4 Destructive chewing

This is a behaviour most dogs will have matured out of, some, however no matter how old will still chew your beloved objects whilst your out, or even sneakily down by your feet.

How to prevent this behaviour:

-Understand when your dog does this, if it's when you are out, your dog is probably bored or is suffering from seperation anxiety (ref previous post), make sure your dog is well exercised before you go out, another little tip could be to leave your dog with a chew toy, such as a kong for example (ref previous post) and perhaps put them into another room, where they have enough space and are comfortable, just perhaps with less objects to chew.

-If it's whilst your in, your dog could still be bored, lack of attention, lack of walking or just a very energetic and intelligent                                                             dog thats mind needs to be stimulated, again a chew toy such as a                                                           kong could come in handy, playing games to tire them out.

                                                      - If nothing works, there are sprays you can purchase online that                                                               will distract a dog away from the objects. 

#5 Going to the toilet in the house

If young or old finding a wee patch or a poo anywhere in your house is the last thing you want, especially when you've not long taken them outside or for a walk!

How to prevent this behaviour:

- Simple but make sure your dog is regularily walked and let outside for their wee's and poo's, especially before you go to bed.

- Make sure they are not scared of any noises or areas in the house which is making them mess in the house.

-Consider buying a dog flap if you live in a contained area with a garden, so your dog can go outside whenever neccassery; if this is not possible consider purchasing a puppy litter box, very simple to train them into using.

-Purchase a dog scent that you can spray around the most common                                                        areas they mess on, this will distract them from messing, as it has already being scented very strongly.