A Guide To Dealing With A Difficult Dog

Dogs can make the very best companions, which is why they are the most popular pets in the world. At one point or another, most people choose to adopt a dog, whether that’s to keep them company because they live alone or it is because their children have been begging for a dog. The fact is that dogs are one of the world’s most popular pets, with 80% of people having had a pet dog at one point or another.

While dogs might be a popular pet, that doesn’t mean that adopting a dog always goes smoothly, especially if it’s an older dog. Sometimes when a dog is adopted, he or she doesn’t adapt well to their new life, which can lead to them acting up and being difficult. When difficult behavior arises, a lot of pet owners don’t know how to deal with it, and so, struggle to give their dog the right care.

The good news is that dealing with a difficult dog doesn’t have to leave you struggling; it’s just a case of knowing how to effectively deal with their behavior. To help you to do that below is a guide to all the best ways to deal with a difficult dog. Take note, and you can soon get that pesky behavior under control.

Give them lots of love

Often, the reason that dogs act up is because they are struggling to adapt to a new environment and all they need is love and reassurance. That’s why, even when your dog is being difficult, it’s important to give them plenty of love and reassurance. You might think that telling them off is the answer but the fact is that often telling them off will only make things worse. What it’s best to do is show them that you care about them by cuddling and petting them as much as possible.

Find out what is causing their behavioral problems

If you notice that your dog has specific behavioral problems, then the best thing that you can do is find out what’s causing those problems. Knowing how to do that isn’t always easy, but sometimes if you take the time to study their behavior, you can work it out. If not, it could be worth booking your dog an appointment at the vets, to see if they can shed any light on the situation. If this isn’t successful, perhaps they can refer you to a dog psychologist who will be able to work out the cause of your dog’s behavioral problems? It’s important to work out the cause of the problem because if you don’t, you can’t treat the issue.

Take them to training classes

The first step to dealing with a difficult dog is often taking them to training classes. You might not think that training classes will make a difference, but the chances are that they will do, it’s just a case of giving them a chance. The fact is that one of the main causes of behavioral problems in dogs is a lack of training, which is why it’s important to give this route a try. You can ask your trainer questions about any area of your dog’s behavior, and they will be able to give you support and advice. Say, for instance, your dog barks constantly at home; they may recommend one of these training collars for barking. Or, say that your dog has a habit of urinating on the furniture, they may be able to recommend ways to discourage this behavior.

Keep them occupied

One of the main reasons that dogs develop behavioral problems is because of boredom. That is why it’s so important that you have plenty of activities on offer to help keep your dog occupied. The main time when dogs get bored is when they are home alone, leading to barking, crying and howling. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that you have left plenty to keep them occupied while you are out, such as dog toys like a Kong that can be packed with treats, a ball, or a chewy bone. Just make sure that any toys you leave them with aren’t a choking hazard. Studies have shown that dogs that have a habit of howling or barking when left home alone, tend to be happier and more content when they have a range of different toys to play with, and so, don’t tend to bark or howl.

The fact is that not all dogs are easy to live with, some dogs can develop all sorts of difficult behaviors, which can make life as a dog owner a struggle. However, if you take note of the tips and advice above, you can make dealing with a difficult dog that little bit easier and less stressful.