Nobody knows for sure why dogs eat poop, but we do know it’s a common and natural behavior in dogs (and many other species). Scientists think the practice originated as a way to keep the den area free of parasites and avoid attracting other predators.
Nuisance behaviors are the things dogs do that drive us crazy:
Raiding the garbage can
Stealing things and running off
Jumping up on people
Charging through the door
Counter surfing for kitchen scraps
Nothing In Life Is Free (NILIF) is a program that helps us teach dogs how to live in harmony with humans. NILIF will improve your dog’s behavior and teach him to trust and accept you as his
leader in a non-confrontational way.
Just like you would turn to look when someone says your name, dogs can learn to do the same.
If your dog learns to pay attention to you when you say his name, he is more likely to hear when you give him verbal cues, see where you are going, and learn what you are trying to teach him.
Marking is when a dog lifts his leg and sprays a small amount of urine onto a vertical surface. It’s a form of canine communication — not something dogs do because they need to empty their bladders.
This exercise, also called “red light/green light,” teaches your dog that pulling on leash is not the way to get anywhere. The only way for him to make forward progress is to control his sled-dog impulses.
Dogs are genetically programmed to hunt for their food. A prime reason for behavior problems is that, unlike working dogs, companion dogs get so few mental challenges or tasks to solve.
Adopting a dog “for the kids” is an unrealistic expectation. Children cannot be solely responsible for dogs. They can learn to participate in the responsibilities of dog care and commit to longterm care of the dog.
Collar and harness. Small dogs need to wear a properly fitted collar they can’t slip out of,
such as a martingale-style collar. For dogs that pull on leash, an anti-pull harness is a good
option
First and foremost, jumping is the canine way of saying hello. It’s how your dog shows his joy at seeing you, a visitor to the house, or a friendly-looking stranger on the street.
