Effective Tips to Break Your Dog's Bad Habits

Correcting Your Dog's Urination and Defecation Habits:

Firstly, limit your dog's activity area to where you want them to relieve themselves. After two days, gradually reduce the area covered by newspapers, ensuring to leave a section with urine stains. Continue to do this while your dog is using the newspapers, and then slowly decrease the newspaper coverage. Over time, you can gradually expand their activity range.

Dealing with Destruction:

Puppies are often destructive, particularly fond of chewing on items like furniture and slippers. When left alone at home, they may become unhappy and resort to chewing to pass the time.

Correction Techniques:

Confine your dog to a small area where they cannot destroy items, such as a crate. This can provide them with a sense of security. Adding background noise from a radio or TV and providing toys or chew bones can also be beneficial. Remember, this confinement should be temporary, and upon returning home, provide more exercise and attention. If you catch your dog in the act, firmly say "No" and gently tap their nose to show disapproval.

Dealing with Greediness:

Greedy dogs will eat anything they see. Each successful attempt at stealing food reinforces this bad habit, turning them into a habitual thief.

Correction Methods:

Teach your dog to sit before eating, and always place their food in a bowl. Avoid feeding them directly from other plates or tables. By understanding that they must follow rules to eat, your dog will be less likely to steal food.

Addressing Overly Strong Sexual Appetite:

When a dog's natural sexual desires are restricted, they may exhibit behaviors like mounting people's legs or furniture. This is common in male dogs between one and two years old.

Correction Techniques:

Use a spray bottle or water gun to distract your dog and immediately impose some form of discipline. Spaying or neutering can also help prevent these behaviors.

Dealing with Loneliness:

Dogs can be prone to loneliness, leading to barking and whining when left alone at home, especially if they were not properly socialized as puppies. Dogs that have changed owners multiple times may also exhibit this behavior.

Correction Methods:

Give your dog a special treat before leaving, such as rubbing their favorite toy and then giving it to them. You can also provide a bone. Avoid disturbing or angering them when leaving, and consider using a crate for added security.

Dealing with Interest in Garbage:

Dogs may have a natural instinct to forage in garbage, which can be a leftover habit from their ancestors. Puppies, in particular, enjoy digging for treasures, leading to a mess around the house.

Correction Methods:

Use covered garbage cans and weigh them down with heavy objects, or keep them out of reach. If you catch your dog in the act, firmly scold them and make them retreat with their tail between their legs.

Addressing the Habit of Running Around:

Prevent your dog from developing the habit of jumping onto beds or furniture. If you see them climbing onto your seat, correct them immediately. It's challenging to remove them once they've settled in. Dogs naturally enjoy chasing, so it's crucial to discourage habits like chasing cars, bicycles, or people, as these can be dangerous and cause trouble.

Correction Techniques:

Quickly extend the leash, then pull it back sharply while scolding. If this doesn't work, use the leash to tap their back, and if necessary, pull them up by the nose.

Dealing with Unusual Eating Habits:

Some dogs may eat inappropriate items or lick the ground. This behavior can be harmful and may indicate a lack of nutrition or a desire for attention.

Correction Methods:

Immediately open your dog's mouth, remove the item, and firmly scold them. Strike their jaw and check if they are wellfed. It's best to establish a habit of not eating outside to ensure their safety and prevent food poisoning.

Important Notes:

No dog is untrainable; it's all about the owner's teaching methods. Be patient with your dog, as their learning abilities vary. Trust in them and give them the time they need to learn and master new skills. Even the most adorable dogs can develop habits that are disliked by their owners. Therefore, it's essential to start with obedience training from a young age to prevent bad habits.