Overwhelmed by your dogs behaviour?

7 tips for helping you cope with your dog’s behaviour

It can be embarrassing to have a dog that barks or jumps up on people, or doesn’t come back when called. It can be very frustrating to have that dog on walks, in parks or at classes, and very overwhelming to think of all the behaviours that need improvement. We are often very good at noticing the ‘bad’ behaviours, but fail miserably at recognising the good.

But… It’s important to remember we’re teaching our dogs unnatural, difficult behaviours (i.e. don’t bark, don’t pull, don’t dig, don’t chase) in a language that they don’t speak.

Think about how hard it is to change our own behaviours. Many of us are constantly struggling to eat healthier, get up earlier, exercise more regularly, make more time for family, put away laundry consistently or reduce time on social media.
Changing our own habits is hard – Why would it be any different for our dogs?

So, if you are overwhelmed by your dog’s behaviour, here are some tips that may help:

1. You’re not alone.
   Lots of us suddenly come to realise the dog we imagined and the dog we got are two separate individuals. There’s almost a grieving process we go through as we reconcile our expectations did not meet reality. Be kind to yourself, and your dog.
2. Be patient.
   You have another species living with you, trying to learn your rules and expectations (this is especially the case for puppies or adolescent dogs who are in critical stages of development that make it hard for them to make ‘good’ choices). Your dog can become that ideal dog with the right help, but it can take time.
3. Dogs make choices that are good for dogs.
   If left to their own devices, dogs will do what works for them (not because they’re dominant, but because it’s easier, more fun or feels safer). Manage them around the house or in public until you feel comfortable that they know how to behave in these situations. This could include having them on lead, using more enrichment toys or teaching them to settle for short periods initially. Practice ensures progress.
4. Reassess your expectations. 
   Sometimes your dog’s age, breed or the environment they are in can make it hard for them to succeed and make good choices. It can feel like every other day is a set back (especially for puppies and adolescents). This is also normal, keep up the awesome work, it’ll pay off in the long run.
5. Ensure their mental and physical needs are met
   Each week, dogs need a combination of physical exercise and enrichment, interactions with some other dogs and/or people (if they want), ample time to have a really good sniffari (scent-rich exploration) and quality time to just chill and be with you by your side.
6. You get out what you put in.
   It’s okay to miss a day here or there , but be mindful that consistently missing training, enrichment or exercise throughout the week can result in unwanted behaviours which aren’t the dog’s fault. Training doesn’t have to be in large blocks of time per day, you’ll make progress with short 1-2min sessions just as easily.
7. It’s okay to work on one thing at a time.
   Think of all the behaviours your dog does that you feel need improvement – pick the absolute top priority and focus on that for the week or month (i.e. jumping up or recall). Once that is at a level you’re comfortable with, add in the next highest priority and work your way down the list. Some other behaviours may decline, but that’s okay if you’re making progress on the most important items that impact your, or your dog’s, quality of life.