How Many Bad Habits of Dogs Have You Witnessed? Friends who raise dogs surely like them quite a lot, and most should be quite doting on their dogs. But when dogs develop bad habits such as destroying the home, it can be very troubling, sometimes leading to regret for having a dog. More importantly, if a dog behaves poorly, it also reflects on the owner's cultivation, which is embarrassing and can sometimes cause financial and physical harm.

1. Urinating and Defecating Anywhere

How Many Bad Habits of Dogs Have You Witnessed? If we were to vote on the most troublesome bad habit of dogs, urinating and defecating anywhere at home would surely be top 1 with no objections, right? After a tiring day’s work, you drag your tired body home, greeted not only by a wagging tail and a smiling dog but also by its stinking urine and feces…At such times, you don’t have the energy or mood to clean up the messy residue, and you just want to know how many ways there are to make dog meat soup. Even though you usually take your dog out for walks, why does it still relieve itself indoors? Some dogs are well trained from a young age to eliminate outside, but there are always owners who cannot take their dogs out, and when the dog can’t hold it any longer, training the dog to use a designated toilet spot becomes very necessary.

2. Biting Things and Destroying the Home

How Many Bad Habits of Dogs Have You Witnessed? Many dogs bite whatever they see, whether paper, shoes, electrical wires, plastic, table legs, sofas…One reason is the dog’s need to chew during teething; another is the dog’s curiosity and self-entertainment — simply being “naughty.” When you find the dog biting things randomly, you should immediately stop it firmly with your hand and scold it. You can also spray some unpleasant taste on valuable items in advance to prevent chewing. If you discover bite marks afterward, take the dog to the bitten object and scold it sternly, so it realizes its behavior is wrong. During teething, give the dog chew toys to satisfy its chewing desire and regularly provide toys to keep it from getting too bored.

3. Barking Randomly

How Many Bad Habits of Dogs Have You Witnessed? Dogs usually bark randomly for two reasons: barking at strangers or barking to attract the owner’s attention when bored or scared. Barking at strangers is actually a form of “territorial defense.” As a family member protecting their vulnerable human, dogs naturally remain alert. At this time, approach the dog and observe the situation with it, teaching it not to worry. While stopping it, gently hold its mouth closed with one hand and softly pet it with the other. Later, whenever the dog hears the command to stop barking, it will stop and come close to the owner for affection. The other case needs serious attention — usually these dogs are very clingy and not very independent. Try leaving it alone in a room for a few minutes at first, then gradually increase the time. Don’t check on it when it barks, only go back after it’s quiet for a while, pet it, and reward it. This gradually helps the dog get used to your absence and develops its independence.

4. Picky Eating

How Many Bad Habits of Dogs Have You Witnessed? At mealtime, put a usual amount of dog food in the bowl and firmly command the dog to eat. If it doesn’t eat after ten minutes, remove the food. Except for water, do not let it eat anything else within eight hours. After eight hours, give the dog food again, and if it doesn’t eat within ten minutes, remove the food again without giving anything else. Repeat this behavior until it eats the dog food. Once the dog finishes eating, pet it and praise it. In the future, punish it this way when it refuses to eat and reward it when it eats — the picky habit will soon be corrected. If the dog is stubborn, it may refuse food for three or four days. You must not yield. Dogs can survive three or four days or even longer without eating if they have enough water, and this won’t harm their health.

5. Jumping on People and Biting Hands

How Many Bad Habits of Dogs Have You Witnessed? Usually, dogs jumping on people and biting hands (without really biting hard) is a friendly, intimate, and playful gesture. Puppies are fine as they are delicate without much force; but large dogs’ jumping can be so powerful that even the owner can’t handle it. If the owner does not correct this behavior and always complies with the dog’s enthusiasm, the dog will use this way to “greet” others too. Not everyone can understand this “friendliness.” When the dog tries to jump, grab its front legs firmly or gently step on its hind paws, which are the most sensitive parts to pain; when it tries to bite your hand, hold its mouth and gently pat it a few times while loudly saying “no” so the dog knows this is wrong behavior.

6. Rummaging Through the Trash Can

How Many Bad Habits of Dogs Have You Witnessed? For dogs, rummaging through the trash is like a “lucky draw,” satisfying their curiosity and adventurous spirit. Even if they rarely find anything valuable, dogs enjoy this activity endlessly. To address this, besides scolding or punishing when caught, you can secretly “tamper” with the trash can — for example, placing orange peels, spraying a small amount of air freshener, or pouring some medicated oil inside, creating smells dogs dislike. Over time, the dog will develop an aversion to the trash can and naturally stop rummaging.

How Many Bad Habits of Dogs Have You Witnessed? Many times, dogs’ destructive behavior may have another meaning — you may have spent less time with them. Treat your dog with more patience and companionship; you can always cultivate a well-behaved dog.