Canine Dog Behavior Problems

Aggression

• Growling, snarling, nipping and biting, dogs have plenty of painful and frightening ways to show they mean business. Don't tolerate aggressive behavior in your pet and certainly don't allow him within jaw's reach of strangers, especially children. The first thing to do is talk to your vet and have your pet checked for medical problems. If he has a clean bill of health, consult a dog trainer for advice on conditioning your dog out of this dangerous behavior.

Noise and Attention

• Letting your dog bark constantly is a great way to increase your blood pressure and alienate the neighbors. If the noise is nonstop, take him for long walks and play with him in the yard. You can train him to respond to "bark" and "quiet" commands early in life to gain greater control over his noise levels in adulthood, according to Bayou Rescue.

  Whining and begging also is an unfortunate attention-grabbing behavior. Never give your dog food from the table and don't reward him for begging, it only reinforces the behavior and may make your dog unhealthy too.

Destruction

• Chewing and dismemberment of household objects is a frustrating behavior issue that many dog owners face. Dogs are compelled to chew, but that doesn't mean they need to chew on your blankets or furniture. Provide your pup with plenty of toys with various textures. Get him a rubber kong, rope toy and perhaps even a dog-safe bone, so he has plenty of options for working his teeth. When you catch him chewing on something bad, stomp your foot or bang a few pots together to give him a scare. Scold him once you have his full attention, then offer him a chew toy instead. Praise him for chewing on the toy and reward him with a small piece of a dog treat.

Jumping Up

• Doggie kisses aren't for everyone. If your pup likes to put his paws on your back or chest to get some attention, you should give him just the opposite. Ignore him when he tries to climb up your legs. Once he calms down, turn and greet him with a few scratches on the head. If you consistently reject the "high energy" hello, your furry friend will get the message.

Chasing

• Don't take your pet outside without a leash until you are confident that he will obey your command to return. Another dog, a nearby squirrel or passing cat are tempting targets for canines who love the chase. Keep a whistle when you go for walks and train your dog at home to "sit" and "stay" when he hears it.

Soiling

• House soiling is a tricky problem, especially when there's no one home to let the dog out during the day. If there's no way for anyone to make it back during lunch break, put down piddle pads for your dog to use in your absence. Anxiety, depression and lack of training are other reasons your dog may be relieving himself in the wrong places. He also could be leaving urine markers, so consider having him fixed to curb territorial behavior.