How to Stop Unwanted Dog Behaviors: A Guide to Positive Training Techniques

Dogs bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love into our lives, but let’s be honest—sometimes their behavior can be frustrating. From excessive barking and jumping on guests to chewing on furniture and leash pulling, unwanted behaviors can make daily life stressful.

The good news? Most behavioral issues can be corrected with the right training techniques, consistency, and patience. Instead of punishment, which can cause fear and anxiety, positive reinforcement training is the key to teaching your dog good manners while strengthening your bond.

If your dog is exhibiting unwanted behaviors, don’t worry—you’re not alone! This guide will help you understand why these behaviors happen and how to fix them effectively.

1. Excessive Barking: Why Dogs Bark and How to Reduce It

While barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate, excessive barking can be disruptive. Understanding the reason behind the barking is the first step to solving it.

Common Reasons Dogs Bark:

Alerting to sounds – Dogs have excellent hearing and may bark at unfamiliar noises.
Seeking attention – Some dogs bark to get your attention or demand playtime.
Boredom – A lack of mental and physical stimulation can lead to excessive barking.
Fear or anxiety – Dogs may bark when scared or anxious, especially when left alone.

How to Stop Excessive Barking:

Ignore demand barking – If your dog barks for attention, avoid giving in. Wait for them to be quiet before rewarding them.
Teach a “Quiet” command – Say “quiet” in a calm voice and reward them when they stop barking.
Provide more exercise and mental stimulation – Tired dogs bark less! Increase walks, playtime, and puzzle toys.
Block visual triggers – If your dog barks at people passing by the window, close the curtains or use frosted glass film.

Avoid yelling! If you shout at your dog for barking, they may think you’re barking with them. Instead, remain calm and redirect their focus.

2. Jumping on People: How to Teach Your Dog Proper Greetings

Dogs often jump up on people because they’re excited and want attention. While this may seem cute as a puppy, it can become a problem when they grow larger.

How to Stop Jumping on Guests:

Ignore jumping – Turn away and don’t give attention until all four paws are on the ground.
Reward calm behavior – As soon as your dog remains seated, praise and give treats.
Teach an alternative behavior – Train your dog to sit when greeting people instead of jumping.
Use a leash during greetings – Keep them on a leash to guide them into a calm sit position when guests arrive.

Consistency is key! If family members and guests reinforce the no-jumping rule, your dog will learn faster.

3. Chewing on Furniture, Shoes, and Everything Else

Puppies naturally chew to explore their environment and relieve teething discomfort, but if chewing continues into adulthood, it can become destructive.

Why Dogs Chew:

Teething – Puppies chew to soothe sore gums.
Boredom – A lack of stimulation leads to chewing out of frustration.
Separation anxiety – Some dogs chew when they’re anxious about being left alone.
Lack of appropriate chew toys – If they don’t have chew toys, they’ll find something else (like your favorite shoes).

How to Stop Destructive Chewing:

Provide appropriate chew toys – Durable rubber toys, dental chews, and frozen treats help satisfy their chewing urge.
Use deterrent sprays – Apply bitter apple spray on furniture to discourage chewing.
Keep valuable items out of reach – Store shoes, remote controls, and other tempting objects where your dog can’t get them.
Redirect to a toy – If your dog starts chewing something they shouldn’t, replace it with an approved chew toy and praise them.

Never punish your dog after they’ve chewed something—it only creates confusion. Instead, focus on prevention and redirection.

4. Leash Pulling: How to Get Your Dog to Walk Nicely

If your walks feel more like a tug-of-war, leash pulling can turn daily outings into a frustrating experience.

Why Dogs Pull on the Leash:

They’re excited and eager to explore.
They’ve learned that pulling gets them where they want to go.
They’re not used to wearing a leash or collar/harness.

How to Teach Loose-Leash Walking:

Stop moving when they pull – As soon as your dog pulls, stop walking. Wait for them to relax before continuing.
Reward walking by your side – Use treats to reinforce staying near you.
Use a front-clip harness – These harnesses discourage pulling without hurting your dog.
Practice in a low-distraction area first – Start in your backyard before moving to busier streets.

Patience is key! Dogs learn best with consistent practice and positive reinforcement.

5. Begging for Food: How to Curb This Annoying Habit

It’s hard to resist puppy-dog eyes, but feeding table scraps encourages constant begging.

How to Stop Begging:

Ignore begging – No eye contact, no talking, no feeding from the table.
Feed your dog before mealtime – A full dog is less likely to beg.
Train a “Go to Your Spot” command – Teach them to stay on their bed during meals.
Give a chew toy during dinner – Keeping them occupied prevents begging behavior.

Consistency matters! If one family member gives in, the begging will continue.

Final Thoughts: Training Takes Patience, But It’s Worth It

Dogs don’t misbehave out of spite—they act on instinct and learned behaviors. With consistent training, positive reinforcement, and clear communication, you can teach your dog good manners while strengthening your bond.

Quick Recap: How to Stop Common Unwanted Dog Behaviors

Barking too much? Train a “quiet” command and offer more exercise.
Jumping on people? Ignore jumping and reward sitting.
Chewing on furniture? Provide chew toys and use deterrent sprays.
Leash pulling? Stop when they pull and reward walking by your side.
Begging at the table? Ignore begging and train a “go to your spot” command.

Training should be fun, positive, and rewarding for both you and your dog. A well-trained pup is a happy and confident companion—and you’ll enjoy a stress-free, loving relationship with your furry best friend.

Does your dog struggle with any of these behaviors? Which training techniques have worked best for you? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your success stories!