How Do You Fix Negative Behavior in Dogs?
Knowing how to fix negative behavior in dogs can be challenging for many pet parents. After all, we don’t all have expert dog trainers at hand to assist us. But, while many bad behaviors are common, here’s the good news: anyone can break the cycle of negativity and fix their dogs’ behavioral issues with the right training techniques. However, research reveals that not all methods work adequately. In fact, some can inherently make things worse.
Let’s explore the science behind dog training, what works, and how you can help your dog become their best versions of their furry selves.
Can Behavioral Issues in Dogs Be Fixed?
Yes, most behavioral problems in dogs can be resolved or significantly improved! You just need to follow the right approach. It’s the methods we choose that will make all the difference.
What Not to Do
You may have heard of Cesar Millan, the famous Mexican-American dog trainer, best known for his television series Dog Whisperer. There has been significant controversy surrounding some of his dog training methods, which are often based on the idea of establishing dominance over dogs. In fact, confrontational training methods like leash jerks, yelling, or the infamous “alpha roll” often provoke aggressive responses in dogs. Alarmingly, this tends to be particularly true for dogs already showing signs of aggression. As the Toronto Humane Society puts it, “This type of training is harmful and can create or worsen issues of aggression and fear.”
Today, many trainers challenge the outdated dominance-based training model that many still follow. So, instead of helping, such forceful techniques can actually worsen behaviors and damage the bond you have with your dog.
There is good news, however. Non-confrontational, reward-based training methods not only avoid these pitfalls but also create a trusting, happy relationship with our pets.
How Do I Help My Dog with Behavioral Issues?
The solution is actually fairly simple: the key to knowing how to fix negative behavior in dogs lies in positive reinforcement. This dynamic approach focuses on rewarding good behaviors instead of punishing bad ones. And it really is as simple as it sounds; it just requires patience and consistency. You can find some basic fundamentals of this practice in my article 10 Basic Dog Training Tips for Beginners to Master.
How to Stop Stress in Dogs
Studies invariably show that dogs trained with such reward-based methods feel less stressed and more eager to learn. Above all, they can better overcome their negative behavioral challenges.
One study noted that training methods relying heavily on punishment and fear cause dogs to show more signs of stress, like yawning, lip licking, and tension, during training. Remarkably, it also found these methods leave dogs feeling more anxious and negative (even outside of training).
What’s even more disturbing is that the stress caused during training doesn’t stay in the training session—it actually carries over into their daily life.
So, how can you start?
We can begin by identifying the triggers for our dogs’ behavior. Here are a few examples:
- Is your dog barking excessively because of boredom? Redirect their energy with mental stimulation. You can’t go wrong with puzzle toys.
- Is resource guarding an issue? Try slowly desensitizing them to sharing space with other people and pets. As soon as they show signs of relaxation or a less intense focus on resources (food, toys, etc.), you can reward them in a praising, calm, and consistent way. Treats and belly rubs? Yes, please.
- Is your dog pulling on the leash during walks? Practice loose-leash training by rewarding them every time they stay close to you. A handful of their favorite treats usually goes over well.
- Does your dog get anxious when left alone? You can gradually increase how much time they spend alone while associating it with enjoyable, fun experiences. For instance, get them a special toy or a treat-dispensing puzzle. See also: 7 Ways to Keep Your Dog Happy While You’re at Work
The most important takeaway? You need to focus on patience and consistency. You’ll never fix the behavior overnight, but you can quickly help your pup feel safe enough to learn some better habits.
How Do You Fix a Dog with Compulsive Behavior?
What do we mean by compulsive behaviors? Well, things like:
- Obsessive tail chasing
- Excessive licking
- Pacing
- Eating objects that are not food items (“Pica”)
All these actions can be compulsive, just like humans might bite their nails or check the door is locked several times. These behaviors sometimes require a combination of medical and behavioral interventions to fix.
What to Do Next
If you’re concerned about how your dog behaves, talk with your local vet to rule out any root health issues that might be troubling them. Because, once medical causes are addressed, you can implement some simple strategies to redirect their behaviors.
Is It Ever Okay to Punish a Dog?
Absolutely not. The Oregon Humane Society provides some interesting insights to answer this question. They stress quite clearly that punishment doesn’t teach dogs what to do—instead, it just increases stress, anxiety, and fear. And, as we are learning from the experts:
- The act of punishing a dog can worsen behavior problems and harm the trust between the dog and the owner.
- Positive reinforcement, by contrast, not only avoids these risks but also effectively encourages desired behaviors.
So if you want to know how to fix negative behavior in dogs, please start here: don’t ever punish your dog for unwanted behavior.
What you can do is this: focus instead on creating pleasant surroundings that reduce stress and deliver healthy outlets for your pup’s energy.
For Instance:
- Mental Stimulation: Offer activities like scent work, puzzle feeders, or new toys. These all keep a bored or unruly dog’s brain engaged.
- Structured Exercise: Regular walks, playtime, or even agility courses work wonders. You can burn off their excess energy and alleviate some of their frustration.
- Positive Redirection: When a dog begins a compulsive behavior, try gently interrupting them and redirecting their attention to something else; a toy or activity they enjoy.
Building a routine can also help a great deal. Dogs really thrive on consistency and a predictable schedule. These are all good methods to ease anxiety and reduce compulsive tendencies.
What the Research Teaches Us
Reading the studies behind some training methods has been both eye-opening and unsettling for me. The findings mentioned in this article were particularly shocking—it’s deeply troubling to think that many well-meaning pet owners unintentionally cause stress and anxiety in their dogs by using punishment-based techniques, like yelling or leash jerking.
The physiological toll these methods take is alarming. Elevated cortisol levels point to chronic stress, which isn’t just bad for behavior. Overall, it’s harmful to a dog’s overall health and well-being. It’s heartbreaking to consider how many dogs endure this stress simply because their owners may not realize the lasting impact of these approaches.
On a hopeful note, most studies highlight how transformative reward-based training can be. Would you agree it’s uplifting to know we have the tools to help dogs not only behave better but feel happier and more secure? I believe that positive reinforcement doesn’t just solve problems, it builds trust with our four-legged companions.
Final Thoughts
Here, we’ve learned that negative dog behavior isn’t just problems to be “fixed”. They’re also opportunities to connect with our pets on a much deeper level. Please, always choose positive reinforcement over punishment. You’re not only addressing the issue at hand but also building a much better relationship with your pet; one based on trust and respect.
The research is clear: aversive methods cause harm, while reward-based techniques lead to happier, healthier, and better-behaved dogs. Perhaps the next time you’re faced with frustrating behavior, remember these points (no matter how much your dog howls, barks, and whines). Patience, consistency, and compassion are your greatest tools. Together, you and your dog can overcome anything!
References:
- Vieira de Castro, A. C., Fuchs, D., Morello, G. M., Pastur, S., de Sousa, L., & Olsson, I. A. S. (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PloS one, 15(12), e0225023. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225023
