As any dog owner will tell you, their pet has some habit that just irks them
to no end and most likely this same trait is common amongst many of their fellow
dog owners animals. There are three traits people find totally horrid that most
dogs seem to find great joy in performing. In this article, we will discuss the
three worst behaviors for annoyance factor and how to stop them.
When you ask around regarding the most annoying dog behaviors known, this one is
sure to come up. Dogs are known for this behavior around the world and still
they persist. What behavior are we discussing? You guessed it. Dogs like to
drink from the toilet and just do not seem to grasp the point that you find this
behavior disgusting. To be fair, they probably wonder how you can stand to drink
bottled water and sodas as, to them, this would appear a stagnant pool. Dogs
prefer fresh, cool, running water and, unfortunately for those who really wish
their pet would find a different fountain, the modern toilet provides just that.
Thus dogs the world over seem drawn to this bottomless water dish and while,
with the exception of cleansers and household poisons, this is fairly harmless
to the dog, humans the world over are in an uproar. So how do we fix this
problem? Well, the first step is an easy one. Break the pattern of the behavior
by closing the toilet lid or the bathroom door. This will remove the temptation
and force the dog to look elsewhere for water. In conjunction with this step, be
sure to provide your dog with lots of clean, fresh water at all times. The dog
should always have a readily available water source unless a veterinarian tells
you otherwise. By closing off access to the toilet and leaving alternate water
supply, you are retraining your dog towards a more suitable water source.
But what of the second most irritating behavior, jumping on guests. Luckily for
the trainers of the world, this is almost as easy to correct as the first
problem. Dogs are friendly and gregarious creatures. When they see a new
playmate, they naturally want to start playing right away. Unfortunately, your
well-dressed guest might not feel too inclined to play with the dog that has
just been rolling in the mud puddle in the back yard. So how do you teach your
dog to mind his manners and save your guests prom dress at the same time?
Well, just as with everything else, it all goes back to the training. Teach the
dog while it's a pup and it will remember its whole life. If you thought it was
cute for a fuzzy little pup to try and jump up and greet you, guess who is
responsible for the one hundred pound mud monster that just ruined your prom? Or
you could have avoided this tragedy by starting small and ignoring a pup that
jumps. After a while, the animal realizes that this action gets no attention and
is not really worth his trouble. Instead reward the pup for not jumping with
copious amounts of verbal praise and treats.
This teaches the dog that not jumping is the reward getter. Also try
introducing your dog to new faces while the animal is on a leash or harness as
this provides more control for the handler and a properly placed'no' will tell
the pup that this behavior is inappropriate. If your dog has gotten past the
puppy stage before you try to correct this situation, things may be a bit
tougher but take heart. With persistence and patience, you can still have a dog
that minds its manners.
The third most annoying behavior we will discuss is Face Licking, which is
especially annoying if your pet also has the first behavior. Licking is a way
for dogs to show affection and also to be comforting to their masters. If your
dog is licking you, it is probably for one of these two reasons or maybe just
because your dog likes the way you taste. The problem most people encounter is
when the correct the dog for this behavior, the animal either sees it as a game
or thinks it is not getting its message across and comes back stronger. So how
do we correct this?
Again the key is consistency and starting with a younger dog will make this much
easier. Remember to use your 'no' commands and give the dog some other outlet
for expressing affection. Perhaps let the dog lick the back of your hand or give
the dog treats for not licking. If the dog persists in licking your face, a
light but firm slap to the nose should calm the even the most amorous pooch. Or
if the dog seems it will never give up, just smile and be happy that at least he
doesn't drink from the toilet anymore.