Just like people, no pet is perfect. Every dog owner encounters behavior problems from time to time. Whether or not the problem continues depends largely on your reaction. When behavior problems arise, there are essentially three ways you can respond:
Ignore the problem. This is essentially giving up. This is when you think, "My dog is always going to bark at strangers. That's just how she is, and there's nothing I can do about it." Ignoring the problem will not solve anything, but a lot of people do it anyway.
Manage the situation. This is simply avoiding an issue. For example, if you put the trash where the dog can't get to it, rather than teaching the dog to stay out of the trash, you are managing the situation. This is often easier to do than training the dog and, at times, may even be the best response.
Correct the behavior. This method trains the dog to not exhibit whatever behavior was creating the problem in the first place. Correcting the behavior generally takes more time and trouble than avoidance, but it is the most effective way to prevent the problem from recurring.
Ultimately, the key to dealing with behavior problems is to not give up on your dog. With the right approach, even difficult dogs can be trained to overcome their obedience issues. You may wish to contact a professional dog trainer to help you. Once the rules of the home are clearly established, both you and your dog will be happier!
The owner of Best In Breed Dog Training, Chris Zimmermann has been training dogs for over 20 years. He has worked with international search & rescue dogs and police departments, and has appeared on International Television and Radio shows. Chris is recommended by numerous Veterinarians, Groomers and over 1000 dog owners.
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