How Not to Develop Bad Habits in Your Dog

This article is examines the common mistakes we make in developing bad habits in our dogs. You can teach and older dog new tricks you just have to break old habits. If you raise a dog from a puppy you have a better chance of installing in him proper habits. A dog from the pound just takes a little more dedication but in the same token some of the work could have been done for you all ready. Lets look at some bad habits dogs easily pick up cause we allow it.

Begging from the table

Dogs will beg from the dinner table if we feed him there. Dogs only do what we allow them to do. If you feed your dog from the dinner table he will hang around it every meal begging. Not only does he become finicky in eating his own food but he can sit and make groans and whine while you are eating. Some breeds can make noises like trying to talk to us. Food is always major motivation for a dog. When it comes to food everything else means nothing to a dog. So if you don't want your dog hanging around the dinner table when company is there don't feed him at the table.

Dogs are masters at begging they can can really ham up the cute routine when it comes to food. Treats are used as training tool and human food you should not make it habit of feeding it to your dog. If you do make sure to mix it in his dog food and put it in his feed bowl. Dogs need to know they have a place where they get fed and watered. This does two things they can eat and drink at their leisure and they will feel secure in the fact they will know when their dinner time is.

Furniture

If you allow a dog on the furniture when he is puppy he will want to do that when he is grown. If grows into a larger size dog this can be problem. You can use an old chair and designate it as the dogs chair. Dogs will lay where they are allowed. You can restrict your dog to certain areas and he will pick up on it. Keep a dogs nails trimmed so he doesn't damage your furniture if he is allowed on it. Keep him well groomed so he doesn't shed as much. All dogs shed some even short hair dogs. Remember to purge him of fleas with one of the many flea and tick products.

Jumping

Overlooked and often habit is allowing a dog to jump on people. Dogs love to be close to humans and they can jump on people who may not appreciate it. Its best not to allow him to jump. When your dog is small bend to his level to pet him. This will restrict him from jumping when he jumps tell him no and put his feet down. Teach him to sit or stand without jumping to receive affection. Most people will train their dogs to sit when being petted. As he grows it will become automatic for him to sit when he receives attention. You can use this same approach when feeding him a treat.

Chewing

If you don't want your new Nike's chewed up don't give him old shoes to chew on. Dogs cannot make the distinction between new and old. To them if you give them something old to chew that allows them to chew anything like it. Dog's need their own toys not some hand-me-down we give them to chew on.

Some dogs are chewers, diggers, etc. When it comes to dealing with those habits give them their own toys. Every dog has some peculiar quirks its part of their personality. We just need to accommodate it so nothing we own gets damaged.

Barking

Don't tease dogs they will bark. Excessive barking can be annoying some dogs bark at the drop of hat. Try to say their name and give them a command they will recognize as a command to stop. However, don't stop a dog from barking when someone comes around we don't know. Acknowledge his barking and than let him know its okay to stop.

These habits are the most common and need to be dwelt with so they do not get out of control. Just be consistent when it comes to training or retraining a dog.