Redirection: From Bad Habits to Good

Dogs are wonderful creatures, but they can also develop some bad habits - and having a rescue puppy in the home has reminded us of some of those bad habits again. 😂 

Some of the most common bad habits include:

• Barking excessively
• Chewing on furniture or other objects
• Jumping on people
• Digging up the garden
• Running away

These bad habits can be frustrating and inconvenient for dog owners (especially the needle-toothed biting kind from a puppy), but they can be corrected with patience and consistency. One way to redirect bad habits is to provide your dog with an alternative behavior that is more desirable. For example, if your dog barks excessively, you can teach them to bark on command. This will give them an outlet for their barking behavior and help them learn to control it.

Another way to redirect bad habits is to remove the triggers that cause them. For example, if your dog chews on furniture, you can keep the furniture out of their reach by using a gate. You can also provide them with chew toys that are specifically designed for dogs - for example, take away the shoe and give them a toy.

It is also important to be consistent with your training. If you only correct your dog's bad behavior sometimes, they will not learn what is expected of them. Be sure to praise your dog when they exhibit good behavior and correct them immediately when they exhibit undesirable behavior.

With patience and consistency, you can redirect your dog's bad habits into good ones. This will make your dog a more enjoyable companion and make your life easier.

Here are some specific tips for redirecting bad habits in dogs:

• Identify the trigger. What is causing your dog to exhibit the bad behavior? Once you know the trigger, you can start to remove it or find a way to manage it.
• Provide an alternative behavior. Teach your dog a new behavior that is incompatible with the bad habit. For example, if your dog barks excessively, teach them to bark on command. This will give them an outlet for their barking behavior and help them learn to control it. If they are biting or nipping at your hands and legs, you can provide them with a toy to redirect the biting off of your body.
• Be consistent. Be consistent with your training. If you only correct your dog's bad behavior sometimes, they will not learn what is expected of them. Be sure to high-praise your dog when they exhibit good behavior and correct them immediately when they exhibit bad behavior.
• Be patient. It takes time and patience to redirect a bad habit. Don't give up if your dog doesn't learn the new behavior right away. Keep practicing and eventually your dog will get it.

Here are some additional tips for redirecting bad habits in dogs:

• Use positive reinforcement. When your dog exhibits the desired behavior, be sure to praise them and/or give them a treat. This will help them associate the good behavior with positive consequences.
• Make training fun. Keep training sessions short and fun. If your dog is bored or frustrated, they are less likely to learn.

With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can redirect your dog's bad habits into good ones. This will make your dog a more enjoyable companion and make your life easier.

Here are some examples of how to redirect bad habits in dogs:

• Barking excessively: Teach your dog to bark on command and when to stop. This will give them an outlet for their barking behavior and help them learn to control it. You can also teach them to bark when they want to go outside. 
• Chewing on furniture or other objects: Provide your dog with chew toys that are specifically designed for dogs. You can also try to redirect their chewing behavior to something else, such as a bone or a toy that you have given them.
• Jumping on people: Teach your dog to sit or stay before they are allowed to greet people. You can also teach them to "touch" your hand with their nose. This will help them learn to control their excitement and not jump on people.
• Digging up the garden: Provide your dog with a designated digging area, such as a sandbox or a patch of dirt in your backyard. You can also try to redirect their digging behavior to something else, such as a puzzle toy or a game of fetch.
• Running away: Keep your dog on a leash when they are outside. You can also teach them to recall on command to come when they are called. This will help them learn to stay close to you and not run away. You can also do drills with the front door to teach them to "stay" when the door opens - using a back door to a fenced yard is a great place to start with this.

Redirecting bad habits in dogs takes time, patience, and consistency but it is possible. By following these tips, you can help your dog learn to behave in a more desirable way.

-The Shark Amongst the Paws