Behaviour Myth
Your dog barks at you telling you he's in charge
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
Owners often inadvertently reinforce barking by giving the dog attention when they are barking, or yelling at the dog, which only strengthens the behaviour over time.
How to Change the Behaviour:
Train the dog to bark and be quiet on command.
Proper daily exercise, interaction with a dog's human family, and interactive toys such as Kongs® can decrease barking if the dog is barking out of boredom.
For fearful and/or anxious dogs, determine what is causing the dog's fears and work to desensitize him to them.
Behaviour Myth
Your dog urinates in the house to show you that she owns the "territory" and not you
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
Inconsistent house training techniques by the owner lead to dogs that are never 100% housetrained.
Inappropriate elimination can often be due to an underlying medical condition such as a urinary infection.
How to Change the Behaviour:
Go back to "Square one" with your dog and begin house training again. You must be supervise your dog 100% and be able to take him out when he needs to go and reward him for doing so in order for him to clearly understand what is being asked of him.
Take your dog to a vet to determine if there is a physical cause for the behavior.
Behaviour Myth
Your dog believes he is in control of the kitchen and is trying to eat before you
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
Dogs are scavengers by nature and if food appears to be available, they will take the chance to "go for it!"
Dogs who are bored in the home may resort to counter surfing or digging in the trash to alleviate their boredom.
How to Change the Behaviour:
Teach your dog to stay out of the kitchen and not to jump on the counters.
Give your dog interactive toys to play with, such as Kongs® that you can stuff with food, so he can be steered toward appropriate outlets for his energy.
Behaviour Myth
Dogs jump up on people to assert their height and rank over you
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
Dogs jump up because they have been inadvertently reinforced to do so by inconsistent dog owners.
Dogs jump up because they want to get closer to our faces to say hello.
Dogs jump up because ... it's fun!
How to Change the Behaviour:
Teach the dog to sit when visitors enter the house and reward for this behaviour.
Teach the dog that he only gets attention, treats, etc. when he has all four paws on the floor.
Make sure everyone who interacts with your dog is on the same page about turning their back on the dog when he jumps up so the behaviour is not reinforced in the future.
Behaviour Myth
Dogs pull on leash so they can get out in front of you and be in charge of you and the walk
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
If every time the dog gets to go on a walk, they pull you along without being taught any different, they reasonably understand that this is how walks are supposed to be!
Getting to go on a walk is a fun-filled and exciting activity for a dog. They pull because they're enthusiastic and want to get out and enjoy the sights and smells of the outdoors.
How to Change the Behaviour:
Be absolutely consistent with your dog and do not allow him or her to pull you when you go out on a walk. Take the time to teach them what it is that you do want.
Reinforce the dog heavily for staying next to you, and do not allow the dog to move forward if he is pulling. Teach the dog the "heel" command.
Behaviour Myth
Dogs push you out of the way and run through a doorway ahead of you to show you they're in charge
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
Just like with walking on leash, dogs get easily excited and don't know this is unacceptable behavior if you don't teach them otherwise.
You only get pushed because you're in the way of whatever it is on the other side that the dog finds interesting and exciting.
How to Change the Behaviour:
Teach your dog a wait command (or stay command) in door ways and practice so they become used to the idea that you get to come and go first.
Behaviour Myth
Dogs who think they are boss will ignore you when you call them because they know they don't have to obey
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
Dogs who have not been properly reinforced for coming back to you when called will not understand that "come" means "come here immediately!"
Dogs become stimulated by their environment and can be easily distracted by other dogs or animals, people, children, grass, trees, cars, etc.
How to Change the Behaviour:
Teach your dog the come command on-leash until your dog is coming every time when called.
Reinforce the dog heavily when he does come - it should be 100% clear to him that he did a great thing by complying.
Never punish the dog if he doesn't come to you - this only teaches the dog that coming to you when he is called is not a "safe" thing to do.
Behaviour Myth
Dogs mount other dogs or people to show that they are dominant
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
Mounting occurs for several reasons which include stress alleviation and play.
When dogs play they will often take turns mounting each other for fun - the position is one of playfulness rather than an attempt to establish status.
How to Change the Behaviour:
If the dog is doing this to you, simply give the dog an incompatible behaviour to do instead and reward them for doing so, such as sit, down, a trick, or anything else.
Behaviour Myth
Dogs get on the furniture and/or beds to show that they rule the household
Why Your Dog Really Does This:
Dogs get on furniture and/or beds for the same reasons that people do - because they're very comfortable.
How to Change the Behaviour:
Teach your dog an "off" command so they learn to get down off the furniture when you ask them to.
Provide the dog with a comfy dog bed or beds of his own and reinforce the dog for choosing to lay on them.
Finally, if you don't mind having your dog on the furniture but are afraid this means they're dominating you - relax! As long as you are setting the rules and guidelines in your house, it's ok for your dog to be on the furniture with you.
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