Dogs are a wonderful addition to the family, but like any family member, a dog can have some pretty annoying habits. If you don’t step in and get those habits under control, you can end up with a dog whose behavior is out of control. This is part two.

Tearing Up Things

Just like human babies, puppies are going to explore. They’re going to put things in their mouth and dig into things. They’re going to want to snatch things and run. Dogs have been known to destroy furniture, toys, shoes and even chew on the ends of a corner wall.

If this behavior isn’t corrected, it will get worse. Just as babies are taught the right and wrong way to act, all dogs – puppies or not – must be taught what’s acceptable and what isn’t.

Dog Proof Things

Depending on what the dog tears up, tearing up things in your home can be expensive and dangerous for him. You can reduce your dog’s odds of tearing something up by pet-proofing your home.

Dogs will tear up anything when they’re bored, lonely, or experiencing separation anxiety. Therefore, put away things that dogs are normally attracted to tearing up, such as shoes and pillows.

Keep stuffed animals out of sight when you’re not home because dogs often mistake stuffed animals for chew toys. Give your dog items that he can chew on – such as dog toys and dog teething rings. If your dog is teething, giving him a dog teething ring that’s been chilled will prevent him from chewing on things he shouldn’t chew on.

Dogs will repeat behavior when there are no consequences. If they chew on the end of the sofa and you laugh or simply replace it, it reinforces to the dog that his actions were okay.

When a dog does destroy something and you fuss at him after you discover it, your dog doesn’t understand what he’s done. He understands only when you interrupt him while tearing something up.

“No”

Firmly say, “No!” and gently remove him from the item. You want to be gentle, but you don’t want to engage or pet the dog when he’s tearing something up.

He’ll associate that action with your petting him or giving him attention. When there are no consequences, dogs will keep returning – such as chewing on the same piece of furniture.

Repellants

There are some natural repellants that you can buy at the pet store. You can spray down the part of the furniture where he’s been chewing with this repellant. The spray won’t hurt him, but it gives him a nasty taste, like he’s bitten into something very bitter.

He quickly learns that the furniture doesn’t taste good. To head off the issue of chewing on furniture, some pet owners spray the edges of the furniture down ahead of time with repellant.

Physical Activity

Make sure that you’re keeping your dog active. Many dogs will tear things up because they have a lot of energy that isn’t being released through enough exercise.

Rough Play

When dogs engage in rough play, without meaning to, they can harm themselves, other pets, and even people. That’s why rough play should always be stopped.

Dogs are fast learners and pick up behaviors from other dogs and people. If your dog does play too rough, it’s either because he’s caught up in the playing, he thinks it’s okay because he’s been allowed to play rough, or because the dog is asserting an alpha side.

Stop Playing

When the dog begins to play rough, the play needs to end immediately. Remove the dog from the play or remove the object he’s playing with. When a dog gets caught up in playing, he’s too focused on the playing to understand that his actions could quickly cause him to be too aggressive.

Alpha Mode

If your dog begins to assert his alpha side, the play can escalate into serious biting as he attempts to subdue the other pet or person he’s playing with. Signs that your dog is playing too rough include changing body language from relaxed to stiff and unyielding.

He often stares in aggression and growls in a deeper growl than he normally uses. Play growling is a growling that lasts longer than it usually does.

When your dog is playing with other pets, look for signs that he’s playing too rough and stop him immediately. Don’t allow your pet to be aggressive with other dogs or people.

Let him calm down from the play before you engage with him. Never allow your dog to ever play like he’s biting you. Most people will put out an arm and let a puppy or small dog bite on their arm.

When the dog gets bigger and older, he learns that this is okay and doesn’t realize that his tiny jaws and teeth are now a lot stronger and sharper. Instead of letting the dog bite on you, encourage him to bite dog toys.

When your dog is playing too rough, like a child engaged in inappropriate play, it needs a time out. It’s easy for dogs to get riled up when they’re playing, especially if they have some energy to work off.

Make sure your dog has a way of letting off some of that stored up energy before he starts playing. Take him for a walk or let him run around in the yard and chase a ball.

Begging

Dogs beg only because someone has rewarded that behavior at some point. Don’t start the habit of allowing your dog to beg while you eat, and it won’t become a problem.

You don’t want your dog to learn to beg, and you don’t want to give in because not only does it establish the foundation for future begging, but people’s food isn’t healthy for your dog.

Another Room

If your dog has an established begging habit, you can stop it by not allowing him in the same room while you’re eating. Let him stay in another room or in his crate whenever you’re having a meal or a snack.

Teach him to go when you’re eating. Train him that when you’re eating, he must be lying down in another room or on his dog bed. You can train him that it’s time for him to rest in his crate with the door open, and if that doesn’t work, you can confine him to the crate during meals.

Never allow a dog to sit and stare at you or your guests whenever you’re eating. With their big eyes and sad faces, dogs can tempt even the strongest pet owner into giving in just this once.

Ignore

When your dog does beg, whine, or bark to get a bite of what you’re eating or cooking, you have to ignore the dog. The best way to train a dog and stop bad behavior is to be consistent.

You can train him to think that when it’s time for you to eat, it’s time for him to eat. Your dog will learn to associate mealtime with his comfort, and he’ll look forward to his food rather than yours.

Some pet owners choose to block access to the room where meals are held by putting a baby gate across the doorway. By consistently training your dog, you can establish boundaries that will keep him safe and healthy and prevent him from developing annoying habits.