Is your dog constantly acting out? They’re not trying to be bad or make you upset! There’s likely a deeper cause for the behavior, and solving that could change everything.

Dogs can’t speak English, so we must learn their language and listen to what they’re communicating. Part of this involves examining the root cause of their behavior, rather than merely trying to correct the behavior itself. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how to find the root of your dog’s misbehavior and what you can do to help, without resorting to punishments or giving up altogether!

Behavior is Communication

Dogs don’t act out at random. Their behavior always has a function, and it’s up to us to figure out what they’re communicating. Skipping straight to punishment without seeking understanding will negatively impact your relationship with your dog.

Even positive reinforcement training can be ineffective if we don’t first get to the root of the problem. All the potty training in the world won’t stop a dog who’s incontinent from peeing in the house, because they can’t help it!

Dogs who are stressed or have unmet needs may stop one naughty behavior only to exhibit another as they continue to cry out for help, leading to an endless cycle that frustrates us as pet parents, pulling our hair out from the frustration. 

We’re here to stop you from making this mistake by explaining six reasons your dog might misbehave and what you can do to stop it.

6 Reasons That Dogs Misbehave

Unmet Needs

Dogs need more than the basics, like food, water, and shelter. Although these are important, there are other instinctual and emotional needs that dog parents often miss out on.

These additional needs can be broken into two categories: physical exercise and mental enrichment.

Physical exercise includes daily walks, hikes, play, and anything else that gets your pup up and moving. Some dogs require a lot of vigorous exercise every day, meaning a simple walk won’t even begin to tire them out. Others are fine with a brief sprint around the living room before lazing on the couch for hours at a time.

Mental enrichment engages your dog’s brain. It often pairs with physical exercise, but not always. Examples include foraging, sniffing, digging, and hunting.

Your dog’s breed will play a significant role in both needs. Even if you have a mixed-breed dog, it’s worth thinking about their primary breed, or breeds, and what they were bred for. Scent hounds typically adore scent games such as hide and seek, while retrievers love a game of fetch!

You can also take a look at your dog’s current behaviors and try to channel that same energy into more appropriate outlets. Dogs who dig in the backyard may need a dig box where they can let out that energy, while those who are always chasing squirrels might enjoy a flirt pole.

Stress

Stress is another big reason behind a dog’s misbehavior, whether your pup is emotional about the addition of a new baby in the family or has an anxiety disorder. Canine stress may manifest as leash reactivity, destructive behaviors, or repetitive behaviors such as pacing, licking, or barking.

To understand how stress may impact a dog’s behavior, let’s look at Cooper. His parents sought help from Where Sit Happens because he was constantly pacing, peeing on their floors, and destroying the walls while they were at work. We were able to help them realize that Cooper wasn’t misbehaving on purpose, but crying out for help.

Now, Cooper has a new setup when he’s home alone and is behaving much better! More importantly, he’s no longer experiencing the stress that caused his behaviors in the first place.

If we treated this as bad behavior in need of “correction,” we would have only added to Cooper’s stress. This would likely have worsened his behavior, causing Cooper to shut down and stop trying to communicate his needs altogether.

Health Problems

If your dog is suddenly misbehaving or acting unlike themselves, they need to see a veterinarian. This is often a sign of an underlying health problem, which can’t be resolved through training.

Dogs who growl or are otherwise aggressive when touched may be experiencing pain that is worsened when a particular area of the body is petted. Regression in potty training can indicate problems with the bladder or kidneys.

It’s essential to give our dogs the benefit of the doubt, especially if they’re usually well-behaved! Seeking your vet’s opinion first can also save you a lot of time and money, as you won’t be trying to train out a behavior that your dog is incapable of controlling.

Misunderstandings

Sometimes a dog’s unwanted behavior continues simply because the rules haven’t been clearly communicated. We often say “no” to something our dog is doing, but forget to show them what they should be doing instead. This can be confusing, especially when your dog is trying to follow your lead but isn’t sure what you want.

For example, telling your dog “don’t dig in the mud” doesn’t automatically mean they understand not to dig anywhere else. Without clear direction, they may think the rule only applies to the mud and not to other tempting spots like your laundry pile or garden bed.

This confusion happens for two reasons. First, dogs don’t generalize well. “No digging in the yard” and “no digging in the laundry” are two entirely separate ideas to them. Second, simply saying “no” without offering an alternative leaves your dog with no clear path forward.

Instead, try pairing your correction with a positive option. Say, “Don’t dig in the mud. Let’s go to your dig box,” and then praise them when they use it. Replacing a “no” with a clear “yes” gives your dog the structure they need to succeed.

Inconsistency

If you want your dog to behave, the rules need to be clear and consistent. If different family members allow different things, your dog may become confused about what they can and cannot do.

This also applies to your own behavior. If you allow something when your dog is a puppy, expect it to continue into adulthood. And if you let something slide when you’re in a good mood, chances are that your dog will expect the same even when you’re tired and cranky!

Consistency is especially important when it comes to potty training, as one missed outing can cause a major setback if your dog has an accident.

Unrealistic Expectations

The last reason your dog is misbehaving might be that you have unrealistic expectations for them. This is especially true for puppies, whose bodies and minds are still developing. Some people also have unrealistic expectations for the breed of dog they’ve adopted.

You might be asking your pup to hold their bladder for longer than they’re physically able to, leading to accidents in the house. Or, maybe you want your Border Collie to chill on the couch while you’re at work, without giving them plenty of exercise and mental enrichment to tire them out first.

Lastly, you might be trying to advance their training too quickly for your dog to keep up with. An example is trying to teach your dog to “stay” outside on a busy street, rather than mastering the cue in a quiet living room first.

We always want to set our dogs up for success, making it as easy as possible for them to behave. Before setting your expectations, think about your dog’s developmental stage, their breed, and the situation they’re in. Stress, distractions, and unmet needs can all make it more challenging for them to maintain their best behavior.

Having Trouble Finding the Root Cause of Your Pup’s Behavior? We Can Help!

Sometimes, all it takes is a second pair of eyes to finally understand your dog’s behavior. At Where Sit Happens, we deal with ‘naughty’ pups every day! We can help you determine whether it’s a training issue or if something more profound is happening.

We offer private lessons, help with reactivity, and more. Our next session of the 5-week Reactive Relief course is coming soon! Contact us today to find out which training program is best suited for your dog and your schedule.