While retraining your dog can fix behavioral issues, it might not always be the answer. Before you commit to a training regime, consider what other factors could have affected your furry best friend’s behavior.

Get Your Pooch Checked Out

If your pup’s personality suddenly changes and they can no longer perform simple commands that they mastered long ago, it’s time for a check-up.

• Urinary tract infections may lead to a loss of house training skills.
• Arthritis and hip dysplasia can lead to discomfort with sitting, lying and other basic commands.
• Other common illnesses like ear infections, toothache and even allergies can cause a dog to become less perceptive to commands.

You may find that your dog returns to her normal self when the problem has been located and addressed.

Changes are a Big Deal

If you just moved into a new dog house or added a baby to the pack, your pooch may begin exhibiting signs of anxiety which can be perceived as behavioral issues. Changing your pup’s food is another factor that could affect behavior. Switching doggy diets can lead to stomach problems and irritability. Be patient and make sure everybody is used to big life changes before ramping up the training routine.

Are You Putting in the Work?

Be honest with yourself before you begin, are you doing enough to create a positive training environment for your dog? Different dog breeds require different exercise routines, and pups who aren’t getting enough stimulation can start to act out. Dogs who are fulfilled and getting enough exercise are much more likely to succeed on a training journey.

Once the veterinarian gives the all-clear and the environment is set, it’s time to start retraining your pooch.

Confidence

For many of us, it can be hard to show our canine companions a serious side. However, being assertive and dominant is one of the best ways to get a disobedient dog to pay attention. When you’re ready to train, be sure to stand tall with your shoulders back. Give a clear and concise command, and don’t give in to your pup’s cuteness until they perform the task at hand and can be rewarded with a treat and pets.

Go Back to Basics

Fido may have been able to fetch your slippers once upon a time, but if his glory days are long behind him, it’s important to start with the basics to get him into the habit of training before jumping into more advanced skills.

Start With “Sit”

Hold a treat near your pup’s nose and slowly move it in an arc over his head. He’ll follow it with his nose and end up sitting down at the same time. Then, reward him with the treat and repeat. Now he has “sit” down, he can continue his journey by breaking bad habits around the house.

Short Sessions, Every Day

Training isn’t easy for any dog and requires them to be switched on and engaged, which is why long sessions don’t yield the best results. Keep your sessions at around 2-3 minutes, and repeat them throughout the day to give your dog a better chance of picking up new ideas.

Consistency is Key

While it may seem obvious to us why a dog can’t jump up on a new suit but can jump up on old jeans, it can be confusing for pups to understand. Set out clear objectives for your canine and stick to the rules to avoid uncertainty.

Positive Vibes Only

Negative reinforcement can create a stressful environment for dogs, damage your relationship and ultimately lead to canine health problems. Not only does positive reinforcement work wonders, it’s more fun for everyone. Praise your pooch for good behavior to encourage them to repeat it in the future. Or, if you’re trying to deter bad habits, remove something instead. Consistently ignoring your dog when they jump up removes the reward of your attention for a bad habit. Finally, don’t forget to end every training session on a positive note to make sure your pooch is looking forward to the next one.

Patience and Perseverance

Just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, your pooch can’t be trained in one either. It’s important to set realistic goals and be willing to adapt if you don’t reach them exactly when expected. Remember to remain patient and calm during your short sessions, and, most importantly, have fun together.

Ready to retrain? Check out these quick tips for solving some of the most common bad habits among the canine population.

Excessive Barking Whether she’s trying to get your attention, let you know that she misses you or warn you of a perceived danger, there are lots of reasons why your pooch barks excessively. Negative commands could make your dog think you’re joining in the barking, and should be avoided. Instead, teach the “quiet” command.

• When your dog begins to bark, respond by firmly and confidently saying “quiet.”
• Then, reward your dog when the barking stops.
• Repeat this every time excessive barking occurs.

Chewing Gnawing and chewing on household items like furniture can be a sign that your dog isn’t getting enough stimulation. Make sure she is getting long enough walks and has plenty of items to keep her busy around the house if you have to be apart. Be sure to buy dog toys that are clearly different from items like cushions and clothes around the house, which means avoiding plush items and sticking to hard chew toys instead. When your pooch tries to gnaw on the couch again, give her a chew toy instead until a new habit is formed.

Begging Slipping your dog a bite to eat from the table may give you both a moment of joy, but it can become a bad habit pretty quickly.

• Feed your pup her own dinner at the same time you enjoy yours, but in a different room to distract her.
• Don’t reward her when she returns and begs.
• Do reward her with a treat away from the dinner table after you finish to reinforce this good behavior.