Addressing common (mis)behaviors of dogs - Part II

To solemnly swear

Is your dog still “behaving”? Well, of course! Dogs will be dogs and I mean that in the most appreciative way possible. And yet there are some actions we just don’t appreciate as much as others. In part I I already discussed three behaviors we don’t like that much and we also talked about how to address these common (mis)behaviors of dogs. In this here part II I’ll be talking about three more. 

She knows.

Let’s jump in with jumping up, the thing that really grates my cheese. Bea still does that from time to time. We did, however, get incredibly lucky, because among Bea’s many many great traits is also a very peaceful character. She never once destroyed a shoe, ate a sock or chewed on cables. We tried to be on top of that, but I’m convinced that Bea knew from the getgo what she was supposed to chew on and what was not hers to play with. I chose to add the destructive behavior to this list nonetheless, because it is super common and I just want you to have the best relationship with your dog. And I found a pic that serves as solid evidence, that Bea knows how to destroy.

1. Jumping Up:

Behavior: Dogs may jump up on people as a greeting behavior, seeking attention or affection, which can be problematic. Not everyone is happy about paw prints on their beige chinos. Your Bernese Mountain dog might be a bit too heavy for grandma. And some people might just be affraid no matter the dog. We have to bear these things in mind.

Addressing the Behavior:

Find out, what makes your dog jump. If it's guests, teach your dog an alternative greeting behavior. You might want them to sit or offer a paw, and try to always reward calm, polite greetings. We taught Bea to go to her place or her box when she hears the bell or a knock. That gives you a chance to tell people (again) that you have a dog before they get jumped on. The whole situation is also much more relaxed with the dog being introduced a little later and in an appropriate way. In any case reinforcing consistent rules as well as boundaries for greeting interactions with visitors and family members is key.

If your dog, however, is going for attention, a good idea is ignoring the jumping behavior and avoid rewarding it with attention or physical contact, as this can reinforce the behavior. It might be tough, but try to anticipate your dog's jumping and don't let it get that far. You can then reward for not jumping, and that is much better than getting angry because of it.

2. Chewing and Destructive Behavior:

Behavior: Does your dog chew on objects out of boredom, teething or anxiety and absolutely destroys furniture, shoes, household items, cables, cords and basically everything?

Addressing the Behavior:

Provide appropriate chew toys and interactive puzzles to satisfy your dog's natural chewing instincts and prevent boredom. As you can see in the pic above, Bea destroyed her own toy and not something that was not hers.

Watch your dog when they are loose indoors, find out what triggers their chewing and redirect their energy to their toys or other activities.

And when you're not home when the deed is usualy done, you can use crate training or confinement to prevent access to household items. Start with this while your home. Reward good behavior (as usual) and gradually increase your dog's freedom as they learn appropriate behavior. It's almost the same as the leaving your dog alone training.

3. Digging Behavior:

Behavior: Dogs may dig for various reasons, including instinctual behaviors, boredom, seeking comfort or shelter, or attempting to escape. As always, getting to the root of the digging is key (pun intended). The you need to be honest: Does the digging bother you? Why? When or where is it ok for your dog to dig?

Addressing the Behavior:

As soon as you know, you can do something about it.

It it's boredom: You can provide appropriate outlets, such as a designated digging area filled with soft soil or sand where they can go crazy. Encourage your dog to use the designated digging area by burying toys or treats and rewarding digging in that space. Mental and physical stimulation (interactive toys, puzzle games, and regular exercise) are important to prevent boredom-driven digging behavior.

If it's an attempt to escape: An option is to bury chicken wire or rocks near the base of fences or along garden borders to make digging uncomfortable. But be sure to roll any sharp edges of the wire away from your yard. To protect plants and flower beds cover exposed soil with mulch or landscaping rocks to discourage digging.

In any case, again consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are key to addressing digging behavior.

100% on your side.

A final note

When I was just a kid, we had a huskey. A majestic, powerful beast, who tried to escape on a daily basis. We walked the dog for hours on end. We provided a huge outdoor space for him. During winter, he pulled our sleighs up and down the hillside. We got a second dog, also a huskey. We tried the chicken wire. We built fences a grown man couldn't climb. Nothing held this force of nature back. We had to warn our neighbors and inform hunters so as not to shoot him. Only when he got older, he became less restless and calmed down. So don't get discouraged, you know your dog best, be creative and find your solution. And know...time is on your side and so is your dog.

And now you: Does your dog try to dig his way to Australia or from Australia? What's the most dangerour thing your dog ever destroyed?