How to Train a Dog to Misbehave

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by Suzy - Online Dog Coach

With Training Tips that Improve Dog Behavior and Provide the Best Dog Care

Do you have a bad dog? Does he drag your things into the yard, jump up on people, or generally ignore you? Is she head strong or pushy?

Maybe you are teaching him these dog behaviors. Here are the top 10 things we do that teach dogs to misbehave, and dog training tips you can use to change it!

1. Repeat a command multiple times: Repeating commands over and over teaches your dog to ignore you the first time.

• Try giving the command once, then luring your dog into position with a treat or toy or by gently placing him into the correct place.
• If you notice a particular command he frequently ignores, re-teach it from the beginning.

2. Punish your dog: He learns to avoid you when you punish him with yelling, hitting, or rubbing his nose in the evidence.

• Instead, use positive reinforcement.
• The most common time people make this mistake is when the dog comes to you after you’ve chased him up and down the block, which teaches him to avoid you even longer the next time. Find ways to avoid your dog getting loose, and work on his recall with the come to you lesson.
• Yelling NO is also punishing and seldom effective.

3. Let your dog go ahead of you through doors: Going first establishes dominance.

• Instead, teach your dog to stay or wait at the door then invite him through. You can also use this at the top or bottom of stairs to keep you and your family safe.
• The leader of a pack always goes first. This should be you.
• When your dog waits to be invited, he is less likely to burst out the front door or out of the car into a busy street.

4. Chase your dog when he runs away: This turns into a fun game of keep away.

• Try running away from your dog calling his name in a fun, high pitched voice. If he thinks you are having fun without him, he’ll come check you out.
• Reward when your dog comes to you.
• Work on proofing your dog’s recall with the come command

5. Feed from your plate: This teaches her to beg from anyone who is eating - including company.

• As an alternative, teach your dog to settle in his place and use this during meal times.
• You can also teach your dog to leave it when food is dropped.
• Most human foods are not designed for canine consumption. Eating people food leads to weight and health problems in your dog including joint pain, heart disease, diabetes, and other uncomfortable and expensive illnesses.

6. Give attention – of any kind – when your dog jumps up on you: He enjoys this and thinks everyone loves paws on their chest.

• Instead, teach your dog the basic dog command fundamentals and use sit or down before petting or playing with your dog.
• When your dog jumps up, tell him “off,” turn your back on him, and ignore him until he calms down.
• Dogs jump up to get closer to you, but this causes problems for small children or unbalanced adults who can get knocked over.

7. Let your dog win tug-of-war games: He learns that he is the pack leader and has dominance over toys and food when he always wins.

• Play in other ways. Teach games to play with your dog such as fetch, tricks, or agility.
• Playing tug is an appropriate motivator for some sports. If you choose to play tug with your dog, make sure you “win” as often as or more than your dog. Always be the one to initiate the game as well as stop the game. Teach leave it or drop. Tell your dog “that’s enough” or “no more” and put the tug toy away when finished.

8. Let your dog jump on the bed and furniture uninvited: She thinks she owns everything in the house and becomes pushy.

• Teach your dog that “off” means all four on the floor. Lure your dog to the floor with treats or toys and reward when she gets there. Don’t use the word “down” unless you want her to lie down.
• Only pet your dog when she is on the floor, or after you have invited her to be up with you.
• It is okay for your dog to be on the furniture or bed when she is invited to be there. Your bed is yours, her dog bed is hers. I am sure you teach your children to ask before using someone else’s things.

9. Provide food freely throughout the day: She won’t feel a need to work for her “pay” and may start guarding her dish.

• Instead, feed your dog measured meals 2-3 times each day so you can watch for signs of illness through her appetite and eating habits.
• Teach your dog that nothing in life is free by asking her to perform a trick or sit/stay for each meal.
• When your dog’s input is on schedule, her output will be too. Feeding your dog regular meals helps housebreaking and reduces accidents in the house. Most dogs eliminate an hour or two after eating. Adjust your dog’s feeding times so that she’ll need to go to the bathroom when she has access to the yard.

10. Give your dog old shoes and children’s toys to play with: She learns to chew on your things, and nothing is off-limits.

• In their place, provide safe toys designed for dogs.
• Rotate the toys so there is always something new and different for your dog to play with.
• Teach your dog to leave it and start using this command early when she takes interest in something she shouldn’t have.
• Dogs don’t distinguish between old and new, so if you let her play with the old shoe or teddy bear, she’ll play with the new ones too.

You don’t want to boss your dog, but your dog needs affectionate, consistent discipline using positive reinforcement. Many of these errors confuse your dog as to who is the leader in the social structure of your home. When you require your dog to do as you say, play appropriately, wait for invitations, and work for his food, you are taking a leadership role that is clear to your dog.

Nobody, and nodog, is perfect. My most common dog training error is repeating a command, but I strive to improve by doing better next time. If you avoid these mistakes, you will become a trustworthy leader and companion, and your faithful friend will become a polite and happy dog.