How to Discipline Your Pet Dog

When your dog displays bad behavior, it’s necessary to correct them so they understand that such behavior is unacceptable. Instead of yelling or hitting your dog, use more effective methods, such as ignoring or not paying attention to them. Since most dogs prefer positive reinforcement, your pet will quickly learn what behaviors are inappropriate.

Correcting your dog's behavior. If your dog behaves incorrectly, give them a signal or cue that lets them know they've made a mistake. You can say something like "think again" or use a similar phrase in a firm yet playful tone. Your tone should resemble a question, like "Are you sure you want to do that?" The dog will pick up on both your tone and the words you're saying.

• Remember, your dog isn’t intentionally disobeying you. When they do something you don’t like, make sure to let them know they shouldn’t repeat that behavior.
• React quickly to any bad behavior you wish to prevent. The link between bad behavior and punishment must be immediate for the dog to understand the connection between the two events.

Ignore the dog. If the dog continues to misbehave, stop giving it attention by turning your back or leaving the room. Dogs are social animals and always crave attention. Being ignored or excluded will make them reconsider their actions. If you catch bad behavior early, you can prevent it from becoming a habit.

• For example, if you're teaching your dog a command and it refuses to obey, say "think again" and turn your back. The dog will recognize that it did something wrong. Afterward, you can return and repeat the command. If the dog still refuses to cooperate, repeat the process until the dog understands the proper behavior.

Avoid reinforcing bad behavior. Once you understand how to respond to a disobedient dog, be mindful of your reactions that might reinforce its bad behavior. Sometimes, dogs act out to get your attention. If you acknowledge or scold them, it’s similar to rewarding them with attention. This could make the dog more likely to repeat the behavior in the future. Remember that even scolding is a form of reward for dogs.

• For instance, if the doorbell rings and the dog barks, ignoring the barking means the dog won’t get anything in return and will likely stop barking. However, if you scold it, you’ve unintentionally given attention to its barking, and it may bark again the next time the doorbell rings.

Avoid raising your voice or hitting the dog. Punishing a dog by shouting or hitting is not effective for stopping bad behavior. It only causes the dog to fear you. For example, hitting the dog after it pees indoors will only make the dog hide where it urinates, becoming sneakier and more secretive. This approach is counterproductive because you’ll spend more time finding and cleaning up after it.

• Dogs don't understand punishment through yelling or hitting. They just experience pain and confusion, which will make them distance themselves from you.
• The key to disciplining a dog is to be clear, slow, and consistent, rather than forceful.

Teach the dog to control its biting behavior. Biting is a bad habit that needs to be managed. Teach the dog that biting causes pain to others. When the dog bites your hand, yelp and pull your hand away, then offer your hand elsewhere and stop playing for a few minutes or leave the room. The dog will learn that the fun stops and it loses attention as a consequence. It will soon realize that aggressive play ends the game and will avoid repeating this behavior.

• Fully grown dogs may bite out of aggression, and in such cases, it becomes difficult to train them without professional help. If this occurs, you should consult a veterinarian or a dog trainer to find a proper solution.

Identify the cause of bad behavior. Keep in mind that bad behavior is not instinctive for dogs. If your dog engages in actions like chewing shoes, destroying things while you're away, or growling at strangers, there is likely a cause that you're not aware of. Take some time to figure out why it’s behaving this way.

• For example, if your dog chews on things when you're not home, it may be due to boredom or anxiety from being separated from you.

Eliminate the cause of bad behavior. Once you've identified the cause of your dog's bad behavior, try to remove it. If your dog barks when it gets excited by something, like seeing a passerby or a car driving by, you can prevent this by closing the curtains.

• You can also make arrangements to reduce startling your dog, which can help prevent many bad behaviors. For instance, if your dog is easily startled by the mailman, you can take it to the backyard before the mailman arrives each day.

Reward good behavior. While punishing bad behavior is one method, the best way is to reward good behavior to help your dog learn good habits. Use positive reinforcement when your dog plays nicely, obeys commands, or uses the bathroom in the right place. Offer treats or praise with a cheerful tone, and pet or scratch your dog.

• Carry rewards with you to give to your dog every time it exhibits good behavior. If you reward too early or too late, your dog may not understand why it’s being rewarded.

Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Dogs that are bored or not exercised regularly tend to bark more than those who are active. If your dog spends most of its time indoors, it may jump up, bark, or become overly excited when you come home. Try to take your dog for walks or play outside for at least an hour each day. More activity will help your dog reduce bad behaviors.

• Provide your dog with chew toys. This will help keep it busy and active indoors, and prevent bad behaviors like chewing on furniture or other items.

Establish routines for your dog. Dogs can develop bad behavior if they feel stressed or confused by their environment. You can help them feel safer and more relaxed by establishing simple routines. For example, if your dog urinates in the wrong place, start by training it to stay in a crate and then take it outside to relieve itself at a designated spot. Gradually, your dog will learn where to go.

• You should also feed and play with your dog at set times. This helps your dog understand when it will receive attention and care. It will stop trying to demand your attention and make noise if it knows when playtime is scheduled.

Know when to seek help. If you are unable to identify the cause of your dog's bad behavior, or if the behavior doesn’t improve, it may be time to consult with a specialist in animal behavior or a pet psychology expert. You can ask your vet for a referral to a reputable expert. Additionally, you may want to have your dog undergo a general health check-up to rule out any health issues that might be causing the bad behavior.

• This health check is especially important for older dogs. For example, your dog may have trouble with bowel movements or urination control due to illness. A vet visit could help diagnose the issue and provide medical or behavioral treatment options.

• If you are using isolation or ignoring your dog as a punishment, avoid making eye contact with it. Your dog will notice and will try even harder to grab your attention.
• Instead of punishing your dog for accidents like not going to the bathroom in the right place, observe signs that it needs to go outside. If your dog has an accident indoors, simply clean up the mess with an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate the odor.