We love our dogs, of that there is no doubt. But when dogs eat garbage, mark the furniture, bark nonstop at passers-by, and hide our shoes – it can get exasperating.
Here are some of the most annoying canine habits, and what you can do to alleviate the situation.
Why do my dogs eat garbage? The trash receptacle can be an irresistible scavenger opportunity for your dog, for several reasons. The main reason is that he wants to get ahold of that delicious smelling human food – and his sense of smell definitely lets him know it is there. Not only can he smell it, but he may have seen you putting leftovers and food scraps into that very container – several times a day! Surely you are placing it there for him, right? Some dogs do rifle through the trash when they are stressed or mad at you for leaving for the day, but no matter their reasoning, there are good reasons for you to discourage the behavior. Aside from the probable mess, dogs may also get into something that is toxic for them, or could lodge in their throat. So if you can’t secure the garbage can away from the animal’s reach, you may want to use gates or close doors when you are out of the home.
Why is my dog marking the furniture? Dogs mark territory to show dominance or possession, but they also do so when they are insecure or fearful. Dogs are most often known to mark anything new, so if you move into a new house, bring home a new baby (or puppy), or have guests – they may decide to mark their territory. Some dogs are known to mark places that you frequent when you disappear for the day – for instance, marking your bed when you are away every day for your job. It will take diligence and consistency to stop your dog from doing this, especially because they often do it out of your sight.
Why is my dog barking at everything all day? Dogs bark for many reasons in different situations. Dogs may bark to alert and protect you if a stranger approaches the house, they may bark at animals in the yard, or they may bark because they are bored and think you have abandoned them. If you are trying to train a dog to stop barking while you are home, you should work with them to establish a command that gains their attention, and then give them a treat if they walk away from the intruder and stop barking. If your dog barks at everything outside, consider blocking his view by closing drapes or limiting him to certain rooms without a wide open view of the neighborhood. If dogs bark out of boredom, you may need to take them for more walks, scatter more toys around the home for them to play with, and pay more attention to them in general.
Why does my dog hide my shoes? Whether your shoes or some other object, when your dog has a habit of stealing and hiding, it can get very frustrating. Dogs generally steal shoes because they are bored, because they want your attention (let’s face it, they get it when they have your favorite sandals in their mouth!) or they may miss you and want something with your scent. Depending on breed, they may even be looking for “a job”, meaning herding and instincts in working dogs compel them to need to corral something. Exercise and attention nearly always solves this habit – but so does shutting your closet door or not allowing your dogs into the bedroom.
Dogs eat garbage, and they have a host of annoying habits – but we still love them with all our hearts! If you are not having luck training your dog to behave correctly, call the experts at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training. We are here to help you through all of your pet/human struggles, in order to guarantee a harmonious existence for all involved. If you live in Sarasota or Bradenton and have a feisty dog, give us a call today!
