Understand Why Dogs Misbehave
Puppies don’t know the rules and boundaries yet – they need patient teaching and training to understand what behaviors are acceptable. According to the AKC, setting dogs up for success by not putting them in situations where they are bound to fail is important. Instead, introduce them to environments and situations where they can succeed while learning the rules
Dogs may act out due to pent up energy, boredom, separation anxiety, fear, lack of proper training, or medical issues. Yelling often reinforces bad behaviors since the dog sees it as attention. Remaining calm and addressing the root causes of misbehavior through training, exercise, medical care etc. is more effective (Source).
Stay Calm
Yelling often reinforces and fuels more bad behavior from your dog. When we yell, dogs perceive it as threatening or rewarding, which can encourage them to continue or escalate the unwanted behavior. Instead, it’s important to stay relaxed in the moment. Take some deep breaths to calm yourself down before addressing your dog. Deep breathing triggers your parasympathetic nervous system, slowing your heart rate and lowering stress hormones.
You also want to model the calm, relaxed behavior that you desire from your dog. Dogs feed off our energy, so remaining peaceful will signal to your dog to settle down as well. Research shows that a calm demeanor leads to more effective training and better behavior over time. According to dog training experts, “Staying quiet and calm when teaching gives your dog the best chance to pick up on those things which they are most adept at understanding” (Andrea Arden). Your peaceful presence establishes you as a trusted leader and allows your dog to focus.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is an effective way to train dogs and curb undesirable behaviors like barking, jumping, or chewing. The premise is to reward your dog when they demonstrate good behavior. By doing so, you encourage them to repeat it. Some tips for positive reinforcement training:
- Use treats, praise, playtime, or anything your dog enjoys as a reward for good behavior.
- Ignore or walk away when your dog misbehaves – yelling often inadvertently rewards them with attention.
- Reward them immediately after a desired response so they connect it with their action.
- Be patient and consistent. It may take time for them to learn.
Studies show positive reinforcement training is highly effective for dogs. It taps into your dog’s innate desires to please you and understand what you want from them. Staying calm and rewarding good behavior makes training a fun, bonding experience for both of you.
Sources:
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/positive-reinforcement-training
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/operant-conditioning-the-science-behind-positive-reinforcement-dog-training/
Remove Yourself from the Situation
When you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated with your dog’s behavior, it’s important to walk away and give yourself time to calm down before addressing the situation. Getting upset will only add stress and make your dog’s behavior worse. As the Collared Scholar explains, “All dogs react to everything until we tell them not to with our energy, body then words!” https://www.collared-scholar.com/dont-walk-the-dog-why-walking-your-reactive-dog-might-be-making-things-worse/. Walking away gives you a chance to relax and think about how to handle the situation in a calm, positive manner.
Putting your dog in a brief timeout can also be an effective way to defuse a stressful situation and give you both a chance to settle down. As one Reddit user explains about their reactive dog, “He can see the dog, he can smell the dog from the distance we are at. They both know they are in the same space. He is learning the appropriate behavior is to disengage.” https://www.reddit.com/r/reactivedogs/comments/13j5zs4/when_you_see_us_turning_around_and_walking_away/. Simply separating yourself and your dog for a few minutes can help diffuse strong emotions and allow you to address the behavior from a calm place.
Address Root Causes
Yelling often occurs when dogs exhibit undesirable behaviors. However, the yelling is just a reaction to the behavior. To create lasting improvements in your dog’s conduct, it’s important to address the root causes behind the behavior.
Two of the most common root causes are lack of exercise/mental stimulation and medical issues causing pain or discomfort. Dogs that don’t get their exercise needs met can become restless and bored. This excess energy may get channeled into destructive chewing, hyperactivity, or other unwanted behaviors. Providing at least 30-60 minutes of activity per day through walks, play time, or enrichment toys can help prevent this.
Pain or illness can also cause behavior changes in dogs. For example, a urinary tract infection may lead to inappropriate urination. Arthritis could contribute to irritability and snapping when touched. Have your vet examine your dog to rule out any medical conditions that could be influencing their conduct. Getting treatment can often resolve the behaviors.
Additionally, work on training skills like ‘leave it’ to provide your dog with directions on what not to do. With patience and consistency, they can learn to avoid undesirable behaviors on cue.
By addressing the true root causes behind your dog’s actions, you can reduce or eliminate the behaviors that lead to yelling in a positive manner.
Use Alternate Discipline Tools
There are more humane ways to discipline your dog than yelling or hitting. Some alternatives include:
Verbal corrections like saying “no” or “ah ah” in a firm tone when your dog misbehaves. This communicates that the behavior is unacceptable without frightening them. Be consistent so your dog learns these cues. According to petcube.com, “Using vocal commands like ‘no,’ ‘stop,’ or ‘sit’ requires having conditioned your dog to understand what these commands mean.”
Spray bottles with water set to stream (not mist) can startle your dog out of unwanted behaviors like jumping up or getting into the trash. The surprise distracts them from the undesirable behavior. However, the hillspet.com article recommends only using spray bottles for immediate behavior deterrent and not as a regular training method.
Withholding rewards is also effective discipline. If your dog isn’t listening during training, end the session and ignore them for a short time. They will learn that good behavior earns rewards. As kaufmannspuppytraining.com suggests, “By withholding rewards consistently each time the dog misbehaves, you’re communicating in a way they understand.”
Enlist Help from Trainers
Professional dog trainers can provide guidance and expertise to help address behavioral issues. They use positive reinforcement techniques to teach dogs basic obedience and address problem behaviors like excessive barking, jumping, nipping, aggression, anxiety, and more. Trainers can assess your dog’s unique needs and temperament and create customized training plans.
Group obedience classes are another great option. These allow dogs to socialize with other dogs and people in a controlled setting. Socialization teaches dogs proper interaction skills and helps them feel more comfortable in different environments. Group classes also provide education for owners on continuing training at home.
According to the Winnipeg Humane Society, working with professional trainers provides structure and clarity for both you and your dog. Trainers have the skills to communicate effectively with dogs and modify behaviors. They can help you better understand your dog’s behavior so you can address issues together as a team.
While trainers can be very helpful, it’s important that owners remain actively involved in the training process and use the techniques at home. This creates consistency and helps reinforce what the dog learns during formal training sessions.
Practice Prevention
One of the most effective ways to curb unwanted behaviors is to practice prevention. This involves setting up your home and daily routine in a way that prevents your dog from engaging in problem behaviors in the first place. Some tips for prevention include:
Dog-proof your home by putting away things like shoes, clothing, trash, food, and houseplants that could tempt your dog or become chew toys. Confine dogs when you are away or cannot supervise them directly. Use baby gates, crate training, or keep your dog leashed by your side to prevent access to areas of the home where they could get into trouble. As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Set your dog up for success by providing plenty of appropriate outlets for their energy and curiosity. Make sure they get adequate physical and mental exercise every day through walks, play time, and enrichment activities. A tired, well-exercised dog is much less likely to act out with destructive or hyper behaviors. Provide appropriate chew toys to satisfy the need to chew.
By managing the environment and your dog’s routine effectively, you can stop unwanted behaviors before they start. Prevention helps avoid the need for yelling while also strengthening your bond through meeting your dog’s needs proactively.
Have Realistic Expectations
Puppies and adolescent dogs will make mistakes as they go through different developmental stages. According to veterinary behaviorists at Valork9, puppies go through a fear stage around 8-11 weeks when they may seem more timid and wary of new things. They then become more independent and test boundaries as teenagers from 6-18 months, which can lead to ignoring commands or destructive behavior if left unsupervised (cite: https://valork9academy.com/2021/01/21/puppy-training-expectations-whats-realistic-and-whats-not/).
Senior dogs can develop behavioral issues like separation anxiety, aggression, or house training mistakes. This is often due to cognitive decline or health issues. Stay patient and consistent with training, but also get veterinary advice to rule out any medical causes. Adjust your expectations as your dog ages, and focus on maintaining quality of life.
The most important thing is to have realistic expectations tailored to your dog’s age and individual personality. Stay positive, reward good behavior, and consult trainers or vets for help with challenging developmental phases. With time and consistency, you can establish good behaviors without resorting to punishment or yelling.
When to Get Veterinary Help
In some cases, a dog’s problematic behavior may actually stem from an underlying medical or psychological issue that requires veterinary attention. If your dog is displaying aggressive behavior, severe separation anxiety, excessive vocalization or destructive tendencies, it could indicate a health problem causing your dog distress.
According to the ASPCA, “Problems like resource guarding, handling issues, separation anxiety and aggression toward people or other animals require custom treatment plans and individual attention from a professional.” In these situations, medication prescribed by a veterinarian may be necessary in addition to training techniques to help your dog overcome extreme behavioral challenges.
Other warning signs to take your dog to the vet, according to T&C Vets, include balance issues, lethargy, irritability, and changes in appetite – all of which could signify a neurological, metabolic, or other medical problem leading to behavioral changes. Consulting with both a veterinarian and animal behaviorist can help identify whether the root cause is medical or behavioral.