Dealing with a Difficult Dog

When you successfully carried him home, you just knew that sweet little puppy was going to brighten your family's life in many unusual ways! You pictured him running with the children in the garden, curled up at your feet on a winter's night in front of the fire, and as an always-cheerful companion for everybody in the household.

You did not expect biting. You certainly did not anticipate his aggressive personality. You never dreamt he would make it his life's mission to destroy clothing and furnishings. You did not plan for the random barking or the wanton disobedience. Whether you were prepared for it or not, you own a difficult dog.

There is unquestionably a temptation to give up. You may feel as though you are simply trapped with a naughty dog. Some may even consider the highly inappropriate route of abandoning a pet under these circumstances. Neither of these solutions, however, is good for the dog or the master. Making the commitment to find a way to rectify the bad behaviour is an essential first step in dealing with any difficult dog.

There is no one-size-fits all solution for treating a difficult dog. Like different people, each dog's personality and requirements are unique. There are four overarching things you need to do, however, if you want your dog to live a happy life and to be a pleasurable companion for you.

Seek out information

That small ten-page dog-training pamphlet you picked up at the pet store along with the leads is not going to enough of a guide to training your difficult dog. Seek out detailed and expertly written instruction about dog training and specific methods to assist you in training your difficult pet. Canvass the library, bookstores and the Internet in the interest of understanding and find tips that can help you deal with your specific pet problems. It is important to have a strong understanding of your dog, his problems, and potential means of addressing his behavioural deficiencies.

Make sure your dog is healthy

Often, behavioural problems can be an expression of an underlying health problem. Consider the possibility that your dog's behaviour issues could be symptomatic of a physical problem. Get a health check from your local vet. If a medical issue is underlying his poor behaviour, proper treatment can rectify many of his problems - as well as helping to insure a long healthy life for your dog. Too often, medical causes of poor behaviour go overlooked.

Be patient

Don't expect your problem dog to transform overnight. Changing the behaviour patterns of difficult dogs can take some time. If you expect the quick course that worked in training your neighbour's non-problem dog to be successful for your difficult pet, you will be dissatisfied. Brace yourself to commit a great deal of time to correcting your dog's errant behaviour. Additionally, impatience increases the danger of disparity in teaching and the likelihood you may lose your temper or act inappropriately in treating your dog. This type of behaviour on the part of an owner may not only be cruel, it can also reverse any gains made and make quality training even more difficult.

Seek assistance

Sometimes a dog simply requires professional training assistance. If you have tried to manage the situation unsuccessfully and feel you are at a dead end, you must consider utilizing a professional dog trainer. Quality professionals have wide-reaching experience and may be able to isolate training methods that will be effective for your particular dog. You may need to hire a trainer on a regular basis. At the very least, you may plan on consulting with a trainer regularly.

By learning more, keeping a close eye on your dog's physical health, remaining patient and seeking professional guidance when necessary, you can improve the quality of life for your behaviourally challenged dogs. The little puppy you brought home in hopes of having the perfect pet still has a chance at that happy life if you follow these recommendations and commit to treating the dog properly and training him effectively. By committing yourself to your dog's training and well being you may end up with just the happy, content and cheerful companion you wanted all along.

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Disclaimer:  This article is supplied for informative purposes only. Seapets Ltd has done its very best to make sure that the above information is up-to-date and correct, but takes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the following of this advice. As always, it is recommended that you consult with your local vet regarding any concerns that you may have for your pet.