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Remember that dogs do not misbehave out of malice. If your dog appears to misbehave, such as chewing your shoes, destroying furniture while you're out, or growling at strangers, then the dog has a reason to do so but you haven't figured out what it is yet. Spend some time figuring out why your dog is acting out. For example, if your dog chews the furniture when you are out, they may be doing so because they're bored or anxious at being separated from you. Once you've figured out what's causing your dog's bad behavior, try to remove the triggers. Maybe you've found that your dog barks when something excites them, like seeing someone walk down the street or a car drive past. To prevent barking, you might close the curtains. You can also make arrangements so your dog is less likely to get caught by surprise, which can trigger a lot of bad behavior. For example, if your dog is easily started by a certain trigger, like the mailman, make sure your dog is in the backyard before the mailman comes each day. While punishing your dog for bad behavior is fine, rewarding it for good behavior is the best way to help the dog learn good habits. Use positive reinforcement if your dog plays nicely, responds to commands, or successfully eliminates in the right spot. Offer them treats, give the dog praise by saying "Good dog!" in a cheerful voice, or offer a few head scratches or belly rubs. Reward the behavior immediately after the action, so your dog creates a positive association. If you reward them too soon or too late, your dog won't understand why they're getting the reward. Dogs that are bored or inactive tend to bark more than well-exercised dogs. If your dog spends most of his day inside, they may just jump up, bark, or act out when they finally does get outside or when you get home. Try to let your dog get a walk or run outside for at least an hour every day. Staying active might keep your dog from behaving badly. Make sure the dog has plenty of chew toys. This can keep them active and occupied when they have to remain inside. It can also prevent bad behaviors, like gnawing or chewing things they shouldn't. Your dog may engage in bad behaviors if they're feeling stressed or unsure of his surroundings. You can make them feel more secure and relaxed by establishing simple routines. For example, if your dog is inappropriately urinating, start by crate training them and regularly taking them outside to the same spot to urinate. If you do this at set times, they'll learn to associate urinating with the correct spot. You should also feed and play with your dog at regular times. This way, your dog will learn to expect attention and care. They'll be less likely to act out or try to get your attention if they know that playtime is coming. If you can't figure out what's causing your dog's bad behavior or if your dog's behavior doesn't improve, get the advice of a professional animal behaviorist or pet psychologist. You can ask your veterinarian to recommend someone who's trained, registered and approved. You may also ask your vet to check the dog over for a medical condition that may be causing the bad behavior. Getting a physical is especially important for older dogs. For example, your dog might have an incontinence issue due to a medical problem. Your vet will be able to diagnose and recommend further medical or behavioral treatment.
Figure out what's causing your dog's bad behavior. Remove triggers for bad behavior. Reward good behavior. Keep your dog active. Establish routines. Know when to get help.