Break Your Dog’s Bad Habits
Jan 11, 2021
New Year’s resolutions give us the chance to become the best versions of ourselves… and your pup’s no different! Trust us, we know your dog’s a very good boy or girl but a New Year’s resolution of their own gives them the potential to be even better in 2021. That’s why we sat down with Joan Harris, Director of Training and Canine Behavior, to talk all things bad dog habits and how to break them in the new year!
PS - Would you rather watch than read? Sign up for our virtual or in-person training classes! With courses on everything from Polite & Playful Puppy, Relaxing Your Dog’s Reactivity, and Tricks, every pup has the chance to learn just what they need with a registered trainer.
My dog picked up some bad habits, like getting in the trash or chewing on my things. How can I stop it?
The main foundation to correcting your dog’s behavior comes down to one thing - obedience training. “Where people go wrong is they let the dog set the rules. So many problems can be fixed by not letting them start in the first place,” Harris said. Think ahead to take steps (like putting shoes in the closet) that limit the temptation for bad behavior.
Next, make sure you have a way to manage these bad behaviors! If you’re worried about chewing while you’re gone, consider crate training. If you’re trying to manage your pup’s separation anxiety, begin by leaving for small periods of time that you lengthen as training progresses.
Finally, be consistent. Make sure rules are enforced at all times and in all environments - even if it’s tempting to let your four-legged friend jump up on the couch at the end of a long day, it can be confusing if they’re normally not allowed on the couch.
You mentioned crate training - what is that and how can I crate train my dog?
Just like humans, dogs crave having a space where they can feel safe and secure. With crate training, that space becomes their crate!
To begin crate training, place your dog in their crate for 15-30 minute time periods while you’re still home - this helps ensure they won’t associate “go to crate” with you leaving. After your dog begins to feel comfortable with being in their crate, repeat this process while you leave the house.
Slowly increase the time that you leave your dog alone - adult dogs should be left in their crate no more than 5-6 hours, and puppies even less. If you’re planning on being out of the house for a longer period of time, think about scheduling a dog walker to give them a short, crate-free break!
I’m already working on training to stop my dog’s bad behavior. Is there anything else I can do?
Have you thought about the bond you have with your dog? They’re the best cuddle buddy and the cutest TV partner, but pups build their strongest bonds through physical and mental stimulation. The good news is that training is a great first step, but it’s not the only step!
Harris said, “Be sure to have fun! We often see that people don’t engage in enough play with their dogs, especially at the beginning. By being too serious about obedience and all the things you want from your dog, you can be creating avoidance behaviors.”
Sounds great! What are some more ways to safely have fun with my dog?
Get outside! Cold Chicago winters hardly conjure up images of outdoor adventures, but there are plenty of activities worth bundling up for.
When temperatures start to drop, so, too, do dog park visitors. Stopping by a dog park in the winter is a great way to easily social distance and have fun with your dog (extra points if you visit after a flurry). Even if there’s no dog park nearby, tossing around snowballs or rolling in the snow can often be more than enough excitement for one day.
If you’re still not sold on venturing outside, we can’t blame you - consider taking a virtual training course with PAWS! When you sign up for a Tricks class, you and your pup will pick up some (Zoom) party tricks! As Harris said, “Let’s face it, tricks are an enjoyable and fun part of training.”