Dogs are wonderful companions, but they can also be a lot of work. In addition to needing regular exercise, dogs need to be housetrained and learn not to bark excessively, beg for food, chew on furniture and other objects, jump on people, dig up the garden, and run away.

While some bad habits are easy to break, others can be more difficult. This article will discuss the most common dog bad habits and offer some suggestions to fix them.

One of the most common dog bad habits is barking. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, including to greet people, to alert their owners to danger, and when they're excited or unhappy. Some dogs bark incessantly, which can be annoying and frustrating for their owners.

The most common causes of excessive barking are boredom, anxiety, and territoriality. Dogs who are bored may bark for attention, and dogs who are anxious or fearful may bark to try and scare away potential threats. Dogs who feel that their territory is being threatened may also bark aggressively.

There are a few things you can do to help stop your dog from barking. First, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercises and is mentally stimulated. A bored or restless dog is more likely to bark than one who has been exercised and played with.

Second, try to determine why your dog is barking and address the root cause. If your dog is barking for attention, for example, provide him with plenty of positive reinforcement when he is quiet.

If your dog is anxious or fearful, you may need to seek the help of a behaviorist or a dedicated training course for dog barking to help address the problem.

Chewing is another common dog bad habit. Dogs chew for various reasons, including to relieve boredom or stress, teeth, and separation anxiety.

To stop your dog from chewing on furniture or other objects, provide him with plenty of chew toys and bones.

Rotate the toys, so he doesn't get bored, and make sure to praise him when he chews on the toys instead of your furniture. If you're looking for a more durable chew toy, try a Kong toy that can be filled with treats or peanut butter.

If your dog is chewing to relieve boredom or stress, make sure he gets enough exercise and attention. In the case of separation anxiety, you may need to train your dog to feel comfortable when you're away from home.

If you don't know how to train your dog yourself, seek the help of a professional behaviorist or trainer.

Digging is another common bad habit and one that can be difficult to break. Dogs dig for a variety of reasons, including to relieve boredom, escape confinement, or find prey.

To stop your dog from digging, make sure he has plenty of toys and bones to keep him occupied.

You may also want to try training your dog with positive reinforcement. If you catch your dog in the act of digging, say "no" in a firm voice and immediately throw a toy or bone his way to distract him.

If your dog is digging because he's bored, make sure to provide him with plenty of exercise and interesting things to do. If he's digging because he's trying to escape confinement, make sure he has a safe place to roam and play.

If your dog is digging because he's looking for prey, try taking him for walks or running in areas with no holes or other hiding places.

Jumping on people is another habit that can be annoying and dangerous. Dogs may jump on people to greet them, get attention, or show dominance.

The best way to stop your dog from jumping on people is to teach him to sit or stay when he meets someone. When he jumps, say "no" in a firm voice and immediately command him to sit or stay.

If your dog is getting too excited when meeting people, you might have to put him on a leash so you can keep better control of him.

What about the dogs who jump to show dominance? The best way to stop this behavior is to show your dog that you are the alpha leader. This means being consistent with commands and never rewarding bad behavior.

Don't yield to your dog's demands, and make sure he knows that you are the one in charge.

Keep in mind that jumping on people is only one of many dog jumping problems. Dogs may also jump on other dogs, cats, children, and even cars!

Pulling on the leash has become one of the most common complaints of dog owners. Dogs may pull on their leash to get to where they want to go, to chase after something, or to try and escape confinement.

The best way to stop your dog from pulling on the leash is to train him. When he pulls, stop walking and wait for him to calm down before continuing.

If your dog is pulling because he wants to get to where he wants to go, try training him to sit or stay until you release him.

If he's pulling because he's chasing something, you might want to use a chest-led harness. Trust me when I say that this gear does make a difference when it comes to pulling.

Conclusion

Dogs are notorious for having a variety of bad habits, but with patience and training, most of these can be corrected. In this article, we've outlined five common dog bad habits and how to fix them.

We hope you find this information helpful in correcting the behaviors that concern you and keeping your pup happy and healthy.