So you’ve got a new puppy, or maybe you’re considering getting a dog. You’re probably already looking forward to all the things your new friend will do together and how much fun you’ll have raising them. But it can be hard to anticipate all of the challenges that come with owning a dog. For example: What do you do when they start chewing everything in sight? Or how do you stop them from barking nonstop? These are common behavior problems for puppies and dogs alike—and they’re not always easy to solve! Luckily, we’ve compiled this list of eight common issues and solutions so that no matter what kind of behavior problem your pup is exhibiting, there’s hope for improvement!
1. Barking Non-Stop
Barking is a natural dog behavior, but it can be annoying to you and your neighbors. If your dog is barking non-stop, there are some things you can do to help him learn how to stop. First, make sure that you don’t encourage the behavior by giving him attention when he barks or telling him “no!” This will only make him bark more because he thinks his noise is getting results! Instead of saying anything at all when he starts barking, turn away from the window or door where he’s barking and ignore him completely until he stops making noise on his own (this may take several minutes). When he does stop barking without being prompted by either you or another person in the house who knows how much fun it is not only being able treat one another with kindness but also helping them learn new things every day while having fun together too!
2. Chewing
Dogs are natural chewers. They need to chew in order to keep their teeth healthy and clean, so it’s not a problem if they want to do this out of boredom or because they’re teething. However, if your dog is chewing on things like shoes and furniture (and especially if he’s doing so unsupervised), then you should try to train him not to do that by rewarding good behavior with treats or playing games together. For example: If your puppy starts chewing on something inappropriate, try gently pulling away from whatever he’s got in his mouth while saying “no” firmly but without yelling; then give him an appropriate toy instead–if possible one that smells like food! You may also want to purchase some chew toys for your dog so that he has something else besides shoes/furniture/human fingers/etc., which will help prevent unwanted chomping at home as well as during walks outside where there might be more tempting objects available such as sticks lying around near trees (which obviously aren’t meant for consumption).
3. Begging
Begging is a common dog behavior problem. Dogs beg for attention, food, or treats. When you’re eating and your dog comes up to you with paws on your lap or begging at the table, it’s easy to give them something from your plate just because they look so cute! But if you want to train your dog not to beg, there are steps you can take:
- Make sure that all other members of the family understand that begging isn’t allowed–if anyone lets their dog beg at the table or give him treats when he does it then they won’t be able to stop his bad habit either! The best way is probably just not letting any member of your family give him anything at all unless he sits quietly first (and even then only under certain conditions).
- Be careful about what kind of treats/foods are given out; some dogs may learn which ones are best for getting attention or begging successfully (e.g., giving them chicken wings instead of hotdogs).
4. Pulling on the Leash
If your dog is a puller, it’s important to understand why they do it. It could be that they are excited or anxious about something in their environment and want to get closer to it. Your dog might also be trying to get away from something that scares them–like another person or animal–and pulling on the leash will help them move further away from danger. It’s also important for you as an owner not only know what causes your dog’s behavior but also how best respond when it happens (without getting hurt yourself!). Here are some tips for stopping your pup from pulling:
- Train them early! The easiest way to stop any behavior problem before it starts is through training during puppyhood. If you start teaching basic obedience skills right away when your pup is young, he’ll learn how easy following commands can make life easier–and this includes walking nicely on his leash! If possible, enroll in an obedience class so that other people can help reinforce what you’re teaching him through positive reinforcement methods such as treats and praise rather than punishment methods like choke collars which can make dogs fearful around other humans later down the line due to previous bad experiences with being choked off-leash while walking outside together with their owners who didn’t know any better at those times either…
5. Digging
Digging is a natural behavior for dogs. They dig to find cool, moist, dark places to sleep and hide food or other objects they’ve found. Dogs also dig as a form of escape when they feel threatened by danger–this can include digging under fences or walls in order to get away from another animal or human being. Finally, some dogs will dig just because they want somewhere cozy and comfortable to lay down at home! The best way you can prevent your dog from digging up your yard is by providing an area outside where he can do so safely without causing damage (and hopefully without getting into trouble).
6. Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common problem for dogs and their owners. While it can be very stressful for both, there are ways to deal with it and prevent it from happening in the first place. Here’s what you need to know about separation anxiety:
- It happens when your dog gets anxious or stressed when they’re separated from you or another loved one. This can lead to destructive behavior like chewing furniture and barking excessively while you’re gone.
- Separation anxiety is usually triggered by something specific (like being left alone) rather than just general stress or anxiety about being alone all day long–though that could certainly contribute as well! If this seems like something your pup might be experiencing, take some time now so that next time won’t be so bad on either side of things!
7. Biting
Biting is a sign of frustration. Biting is often a result of a dog being frustrated with something in his environment or with his owner. For example, if you have an older dog that doesn’t want to go out for a walk but you force him anyway, he may bite you as a way of showing his disapproval. This can also happen if the dog is tired and wants to rest but still needs something else done first before he can rest peacefully. Biting can also be attributed to dominance issues between two dogs who live together in one household (elderly couples often adopt two puppies at once). In this case, one puppy might try to assert himself/herself over another by biting them on various parts of their bodies including their tails or paws – usually when they’re sleeping! This type of behavior usually stops once both puppies are full grown adults because they’ve learned each other’s boundaries during those early years together.”
8. Whining for Attention
Whining for attention is a common behavior problem and one that can be difficult to break. Most dogs will whine when they want something, whether it’s food or attention. If your dog is whining because they want something from you, try waiting until they stop before responding. If this isn’t working then try ignoring them as much as possible until they calm down and stop whining on their own (this may take some time). If there’s nothing wrong with your dog and he/she just wants some extra attention then try giving him/her what he/she wants! Dogs love getting petted so make sure to give him all of the love in the world whenever he starts whining!
Now that you know what your dog is trying to tell you, it’s time to help him. You can do this by learning more about his behavior and how dogs communicate with us. By doing so, you will be able to better understand why he does certain things or acts a certain way. This knowledge will also help you in implementing solutions that work best for both of you!
