When your dog behaves in a manner that is not acceptable, it is time to diagnose the problem and deal with it in a calm and reassuring manner. Bad behavior will generally escalate over time and become extremely difficult to correct. The solution? Get to know your dog thoroughly and be aware. Remember that the completion of a bad behavior is in itself a reward. Why did your best friend relieve himself on your new carpet? Simple. It felt good. Why does your precious pet jump on all your friends? Because he wants to be a part of the party.

Housebreaking is a very common issue that you may have with your pet. If you allow him total freedom of the house from the first time that you bring him through the door, he believes that the entire space is his potty room. And the biggest mistake most people make is to do something negative when this occurs. This is a total waste of timeit’s over and done with. Your dog needs your loving direction, not your anger. Check out the option of crate training. This is not a punishment, merely his safe den. And please remember, housebreaking is a behavior that begins outsidetake this little guy on walks, enjoy your time together in the sun.

Having guests in your home doesn’t mean that you have to endure jumping and barking from your dog the entire time. Your little guy is just overly enthusiastic. That’s his nature. He loves excitement. And new people are exciting. The solution? Don’t allow him to be loose in the house when you know friends are arriving. Gently teach him that he is always going to be fully dressed in collar and leash when you have company. This should eliminate fairly quickly any issues you have with him behaving improperly.

Crating your animal when you are not with him is a great step to eliminating separation anxiety and stress. Make sure the crate is large enough to comfortably contain not only your dog but his special toys and treats as well. The “den” atmosphere is normal for him and he will respond eventually by feeling safe and cared for. This will eliminate many problems associated with separation anxietypacing, barking, scratching at the door and even chewing on the furniture.

Eating out of the trashcan seems to be prevalent behavior in some dogs. Why? Because he wants something to eat. Changing this behavior requires the involvement of the entire household. A strong “No” when he is getting into the trash can be effectivenot when he is approaching the trashcan or when he is eating from it, but when he is actually getting into the trashcan. This will require some vigilance as well as consistency on your part. And when you are away from home, the easiest solution is to simply remove temptation from your best friend.

One of the most dangerous and possibly heartbreaking situations occurs when your dog runs out the door. In his mind, he is just looking for the kid down the block or a bit of excitement. But this is incredibly unsafe and it is up to you, as his trusted friend, to prevent this from happening. You need to send him a message that this behavior is totally unacceptable. Teaching your dog the COME behavior and the STAY behavior will give you great control once the door is open. Preventative training means never allowing your dog the opportunity to be in that situation in the first place. Keep your baby on a leash until he is properly trainedfor his well being and your peace of mind.