Simple Dog Training Tips By Marquita. Sylvania Pet Photographer.

Written by Marquita Metzger

Do you have a problem pup? It’s common, when a beloved companion you've dreamt of having is instead a tyrant in your house, to think that you have a bad dog. From destroying furniture to incessant barking, these are a few of the common bad behaviors our loyal companions do to drive us mad, and but a few simple solutions to those problems.

Destructive Behavior: If your dog finds every opportunity to get into mischief and destroy your belongings, chances are that they're bored. Try going for a daily walk, spend ten minutes a day practicing new and old tricks, and spend quality time with your friend.

Pottying in the house: The obvious solution is simply to take your pups out more often, but sometimes it doesn't seem to matter. before following through with further training, make sure to stop by your pet’s vet to rule out the possibility of a Urinary Tract Infection, which can cause accidents in the house. But if your dog has a clean bill of health and still insists on pottying in your house, I suggest getting serious about a routine. Make sure a walk and one-on-one training time is firmly planted in your daily routine. Giving your pet a sense of purpose will lessen the likelihood of mindless territory marking.

Barking: If your dog is constantly barking they probably are anxious, try praising them, reassuring them, and give creative outlets and commands that they can easily obey and understand. Again, giving your pet a sense of purpose, as well as exercise, helps to lessen their anxiety.

Leash Pulling: Some breeds naturally pull on a leash. But it can be dangerous if your pup is out of control. Make sure your leash is not too long, giving you better control of your pet. Spend plenty of time being consistent until they understand what it is that you want from them. With some, the turn around method is the easiest way to teach, meaning when they begin to pull towards a certain object or person, you simply turn around and begin walking in another direction. Doing this every time your pup begins to lunge eventually teaches them that they won’t get anywhere by trying to pull you around. Another method is correction and command, such as, “Walk on.” Meaning, when your dog begins to pull towards something, give them a quick tug on their leash while using your command, and walk past the distraction without acknowledging it.

Excited peeing: It’s actually anxiety that causes a pup to pee when they get overly excited. Create a safe place for them and practice being calm when coming home. Do not acknowledge or give attention until your friend is calm and waiting patiently for you.

Food aggression: There is no easy solution for food aggression, but most times it comes from the uncertainty of when they're next meal will be, and its a lack of trust. Practice by feeding them from your hand, for as long as it takes for them to become comfortable with your hand present. Try teaching them the command, “Leave it,” or a similar one, and work on the command when food or high value treats and toys are present. Most of all, be 1 patient and consistent.

Jumping up on guests: One of two simple solutions, depending on the dog. Some will react most quickly to simply ignoring them completely, turning away your body, and waiting until they are calm to pet. For more stubborn animals, grabbing hold of one of their paws and firmly but gently holding onto it until they’re uncomfortable is better. This is uncomfortable but not painful for them, and they quickly realize they do not like jumping up on your guests.

Bad dogs don’t exist, almost always the behavior comes from our misunderstanding of what they're telling us, and they're uncertainty or restless energy. Remember, owning an animal, any animal, requires time, patience, dedication and research.

Remember, some behavior may have underlying conditions. Always consult your vet if their is a sudden shift in your dog’s behavior. And, if still a solution can not be found, reach out to a reputable animal behaviorist or professional dog trainer.