Raising a dog is a lot like child-rearing. Pups are born with inherent skills, like hunting and using their noses. But many behaviors you’d like your dog to adopt are learned, and some dogs are better learners than others.
If your dog struggles to act how you would like them to, you may think that certain skills will come with time. In reality, your dog likely won’t learn most skills without professional training.
If you’re unsure whether your dog needs training, review these six dog training signs to watch out for. Then, reach out to Peace Love Dogs to learn more about our Houston puppy training.
1. Your Dog Barks Excessively
You may believe some dogs are just “barkers” and that you can’t control their behavior. But your family and neighbors shouldn’t have to put up with excessive barking from your furry friend. If your dog barks constantly, despite your efforts to quiet them, they probably could benefit from training.
Dogs bark to express their emotions. Your dog may desire attention, feel threatened, or simply be bored when they begin barking.
A professional dog trainer can help you identify and anticipate your dog’s needs so they do not need to bark to communicate with you. They can also help you train the dog to stop barking unnecessarily.
2. Your Furry Friend Pulls on the Leash During Walks
If you have trouble taking your dog for walks without them pulling you down the sidewalk, your pup definitely needs training. This is one of the dog training signs pet owners often overlook, as they believe good leash behavior will come with time. In reality, many dogs continue leash pulling until they are professionally trained not to.
Dogs pull on the leash because they are excited to be out walking with you, they have pent-up energy, or they have simply never learned that they need to walk nicely. You shouldn’t feel like your dog is the one taking you for a walk. With professional training, you can teach your pup to walk comfortably at your side while still enjoying a fun, mentally stimulating trek.
3. Your Pup Destroys Items in Your Houston Home
Puppies like to chew on things, and it makes sense for a young puppy to try to gnaw on items in your home. But adult dogs shouldn’t exhibit this behavior. If your dog often destroys items in your Houston home, they may have separation anxiety that you can address with a professional trainer.
Dogs may chew up items because they are bored, anxious, or overly energetic. Your pup may not have enough chew toys or items they are allowed to gnaw on. If the destructive behavior only happens when your dog is home alone, they may need training to feel more comfortable spending time alone or help meeting their socialization needs at other times.
Your trainer can assess the reason behind your pup’s destructive behavior and train them to only chew on permitted items.
4. Your Dog Acts Aggressively Toward Others
Aggressive behavior in dogs can be stressful. You may feel like you have done everything right to train your pup, yet they still act aggressively toward other dogs or even people. This behavior can make you afraid to take them out of the house or even let them out of your sight.
Dogs often act aggressively because they feel threatened, possessive, or trapped. A trainer can help your dog express their needs in a healthier way and minimize feelings of anxiety that may cause them to lash out. If the pup acts aggressively in certain situations, such as crowded environments, they may recommend avoiding those triggers during training.
If your dog has only recently begun acting aggressively, they may be in pain or experiencing a medical condition. A visit to the vet may be your first order of business before hiring a professional trainer.
5. Your Pup Doesn’t Listen to Your Commands
Your dog should respect you as their owner and leader. If they don’t, they probably will not listen to your commands.
Getting your dog to listen to you is one of the most important aspects of pet ownership, and failing to do so is one of the biggest dog training signs. You need to maintain control of your dog while allowing them to exhibit autonomy in healthy ways.
Your dog may not listen to commands because they do not understand what you are telling them. A trainer can help your dog learn commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” along with fun tricks like “shake” and “roll over.”
If your dog knows a command but still refuses to obey, a trainer can help you address the issue. You may need to improve dog training by offering more valuable rewards or another form of motivation.
6. You Can’t Leave Your Dog Alone for More Than an Hour
If you struggle with leaving your dog alone for more than an hour, whether because they begin destroying items, excessively licking their fur, or going potty in the house, you probably can’t live your life with as much freedom as you used to. Professional training can address your dog’s separation anxiety and teach them to behave nicely while you are gone.
Your pup may not know how to entertain themselves or feel afraid you will never return. With the right training, they can learn how to feel comfortable alone, stopping these unwanted behaviors.
Sign Up for Dog Training in Houston Today
If you’ve noticed any of these dog training signs, working with a professional trainer can help you address them. Obedience training from Peace Love Dogs can help you minimize behavioral issues in your pup and enjoy a happy, peaceful life together.
We offer both private training and group classes for puppies and adult dogs. We also have a special separation anxiety training program.
Sign up for training today by calling (346) 639-3629, then review a few puppy training mistakes to be aware of in your own training endeavors.
