Hello. I am a human bear, a dog trainer, behavior correction expert, and director of a dog kindergarten. When counseling dog behavior problems, there are some questions that parents ask the most.

“Can you fix this?”

“How long will it take?”

“Is this a problem I can handle alone?”

“Should I call a trainer?”

Same question.

To conclude, not all dog problem behaviors are of the same level of difficulty. Some problems get better faster than you think just by changing the guardian’s standards. On the other hand, some problems may take quite a long time as they are linked to the dog’s anxiety, fear, aggression, or long experience. So today, based on all dogs, not a specific dog breed, I will divide the problems into those that are relatively easy to correct and those that are not easy from my perspective as a trainer.

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You can see which of your dog’s problem behaviors get better relatively quickly.

Distinguish between actions that take a long time or require expert consultation.

I will know in what order I should deal with my dog’s problems.

To summarize, dog problem behavior can be broadly divided into “behavior caused by ignorance of standards” and “behavior caused by emotions.” Problems caused by a lack of discipline, such as toilet mistakes, lack of basic manners, or excitement before a walk, can be improved relatively quickly. However, aggression, separation anxiety, fearful barking, and old walk reactivity require step-by-step training because the dog’s emotions and safety issues are intertwined.

Not all dog problem behavior problems are the same

From the guardian’s perspective, whether the dog barks, bites, or makes a toilet mistake, it all feels like problematic behavior. But from a trainer’s point of view, there is something more important than outward behavior. This is exactly why that behavior occurred. Even if the barking is the same, the training method is completely different depending on whether it is a demand barking, a fearful barking, or a borderline barking. Even with the same bite, the level of difficulty varies depending on whether the teeth are touching for fun, biting defensively out of anxiety, or biting to protect resources.

Behaviors caused by ignorance of the standards are relatively easy to correct. For example, jumping before eating, jumping when guests arrive, or getting excited at the front door before going for a walk. This type of behavior is not because the dog is bad, but because it has never been properly taught “how to get what it wants.” If the guardian consistently informs the standards, changes can be seen quickly.

Conversely, actions motivated by emotions may take a long time. For example, barking out of fear, not being able to bear being left alone, or reacting aggressively at the sight of other dogs. This behavior doesn’t get better by simply saying “no.” You must approach slowly because you need to reduce the dog’s anxiety, fear, excitement, and alertness.

Standards for determining the difficulty of correcting problem behavior

When looking at problem behavior from a trainer’s perspective, we do not simply look at “barking,” “biting,” or “can’t go for a walk.” By looking at the criteria below, you can more realistically determine whether your dog’s problem will improve relatively quickly or whether it is a problem that requires time.

Check criteria	Key points the trainer looks at	Impact on correction difficulty
Duration of repetition How long it was repeated	Actions that started yesterday and Behavior repeated over two years is different. The longer a behavior is repeated, the more likely it is that it has become a familiar habit to the dog.	If the period is short, it can quickly improve just by changing the guardian’s standards, but old behaviors need to be relearned step by step, so it takes more time.
Intensity of the behavior How severe does it appear?	Barking once or twice and stopping, or continuing to bark and lunge even when the guardian stops it, is absolutely nothing. That’s a different problem. It is necessary to distinguish whether the bite is at a playful level or at a level that causes injury.	The higher the intensity, the more safety management is needed before simple daily life training. In particular, biting, aggression, and lunging often require expert consultation.
Cause of the behavior Is it a habit or an emotional problem	Even if the barking is the same, demand barking, fearful barking, and borderline barking require different approaches. Even if the behavior appears to be the same on the outside, if the cause is different, the direction of training must be different.	Behavior resulting from a lack of standards can be improved relatively quickly, but behavior linked to anxiety, fear, and aggression requires emotional control training and takes a long time.
Guardian’s reaction How did the guardian respond	Hugged when barked; If you continue to talk to him when he whines or follow him when he pulls on the leash, your dog can learn that that behavior works.	If the guardian’s response is reinforcing the problem behavior, it is important to change the guardian’s response method before training the puppy.
Safety issues Is there a risk of accidents	Does it bite a person or bite another puppy? If there is an enemy or someone is attacking while protecting food, toys, or space, it may not be a simple etiquette issue.	If there is a safety issue, the difficulty of correction increases. Rather than trying to solve the problem on your own, you may need a safety plan and expert consultation first.

1. How long has it been repeated

An action that first started yesterday is different from an action that has been repeated for years. Puppies learn through repetition. If you barked and the person walked away, if you bit and the person took your hand away, if you pulled the leash and the dog went where you wanted to go, if you whined and the guardian hugged you, that behavior can become stronger. The older the behavior, the more difficult it is to change in a day or two. Conversely, behaviors that have not yet been repeated for a long time often improve quickly simply by the guardian changing the standards.

2. What is the intensity of the action

Not all barks are the same. A child who barks once or twice and then stops is different from a child who continues to bark for more than 10 minutes even when the guardian stops him. The same goes for biting. A slight contact between the teeth during play and a biting action that tears the skin are two completely different things. The more intense the behavior, the more cautiously correction must be approached. In particular, safety management comes first when it comes to biting, aggression, lunging, and walking problems that are difficult for the guardian to control.

3. Is the cause a habit or an emotion

The most important aspect from a trainer’s perspective is the cause. You need to determine whether your dog is behaving simply because of the way he was taught, or whether he is behaving because of emotions such as anxiety, fear, vigilance, or obsession. For example, you have a dog that jumps when guests arrive. If you simply jump because you are happy, you can improve relatively quickly with sitting and waiting, mat training, and compensatory positioning. However, if the customer is scared and barks and runs at you, it takes time because you need to change your feelings about the customer.

4. Are caregiver responses fostering behavior

Dog behavior problems are often not just the dog’s problem. In many cases, the caregiver’s response fosters the behavior. When a puppy barks, hug it right away, when it whines, keep talking to it, when it pulls on the leash, the guardian follows it, and when it bites it, it responds loudly by screaming. Puppies learn their owners’ reactions very well. So, correcting problem behavior is not only a process of changing the dog, but also a process of changing the way the guardian reacts.

Safety comes first

Aggression, biting, and severe fear reactions cannot be resolved by deliberately exposing your dog to stimuli. In fact, the situation may get worse. If the dog has ever bitten a person or a dog, or if the situation is difficult for the guardian to control, it is better to first make a safety plan with an expert rather than just reading posts on the Internet.

Problem behavior that gets better relatively quickly

Here, “easy” does not mean that you can do anything. This means that if the cause is relatively clear and the guardian changes the criteria consistently, changes can be seen quickly. In particular, behaviors resulting from lack of rules, reward timing issues, and life routine issues often improve when the guardian provides good direction.

1. Bowel mistakes

Guardians have a hard time with toilet mistakes, but if the structure is right, things tend to get better. In particular, toileting mistakes in young puppies or puppies in the early stages of adoption are more of a lack of learning than a problem behavior. The important thing in potty training is to clearly determine where to potty, praise immediately after success, and not scold when a mistake is made.

If you scold a puppy for making a toilet mistake, the puppy may learn “It’s dangerous to poop in front of the guardian” rather than “It’s not the right place.” This can lead to problems with hiding and pooping or only defecating when you are not there. Toilet training is not training that involves scolding, but training that repeatedly shows success positions. However, if the period of failure is long, potty training may not be easy because the puppy is often confused about the standards.

2. Lack of basic etiquette

Behaviors such as running up before eating, jumping out when the door opens, jumping on guests, and constantly climbing on the guardian’s lap are often caused by a lack of basic etiquette. This problem is not because the dog is bad. Most people have never learned “how to get what they want.”

For example, if your dog jumps on guests, you need to change your standards. Switch to a structure where jumping doesn’t get attention, putting all four feet on the floor gets attention, and sitting gets a better reward. If this standard is consistent, many dogs will learn quickly.

3. Demanding jumping and whining

Behaviors such as jumping up for a hug from a guardian, whining for a treat, or continuously pushing the body to ask for play are demanding behaviors. Demanding behavior is likely to improve if the caregiver changes his/her response. However, you should be careful not to react by ignoring the puppy at first and then eventually hugging the puppy when it whines more intensely.

If you react like this, your dog can learn, “You just have to pester longer” or “If you express it louder, they will eventually listen.” Demanding behavior needs to be replaced by giving your child what they want when they are quiet. If you change your standards by giving your child a hug when they sit quietly, a treat when they wait, and attention when they are resting on the mat, they can improve relatively quickly.

Guardian who waits for calm times and praises

4. Excitement before a walk

There are dogs that jump at the sight of a harness, bark at the front door, and try to jump out when the door is opened. This problem is also relatively correctable. The key is to change the conditions under which you begin your walk. When the child gets excited, the door does not open, and when all four feet are on the floor, the child must wear a harness and wait a moment to start walking.

There is no need to make you wait long from the beginning. You can start by waiting 1 second. The important thing is not to start walking right away excited. If the start of the walk is exciting, the entire walk is likely to be exciting. If you also have walking problems, please also refer to Collection of articles related to dog walking.

5. Simple string pull

The string pulling also varies depending on the degree. If the child simply wants to move forward and pulls a little, it can be improved just by the guardian changing the standard. The basic principle is simple. When the leash is pulled, the dog stops, walks again when the leash is loosened, and is praised from a position next to or close to the guardian.

Through repetition, the puppy learns “If you pull, it won’t go” and “If you walk loosely, it will go forward.” However, if a child walks while pulling on the leash for a long period of time, a child lunges at another dog, or a large dog that is difficult for the owner to withstand, it may not be a simple leash pulling. If string pulling is your main concern, It’s a good idea to read together how to fix your dog’s pull while walking, a 7-day human-style routine.

6. Lack of name response

There are dogs that do not look at their guardians even when their names are called. Most of these problems can also be recreated. However, if you used the name a lot when scolding, it may take a little longer. Name response training is simple. Calling their name, praising them when they look at them, and rewarding them by staying close to the guardian.

If you repeatedly call someone’s name and then scold them or forcefully catch them, it is difficult for their name to be a good signal. The name should be remade as a signal that good things will happen when called. Just changing this one thing will make walking, indoor etiquette, greeting guests, and basic training much easier.

Time-consuming problem behavior

This time, we will look at a problem that is not easy to correct. These problems are often deeply connected to the emotions and experiences behind the actions, rather than the fault of the guardian. These problems require a safe distance, environmental management, consistent responses from the guardian, and small success experiences rather than pressing the dog hard or scolding the dog.

1. Separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is not a problem that can be solved simply by having the child practice alone a lot. Dogs with separation anxiety feel anxious when their guardian leaves. So leaving them alone to cry or holding them out for a long time can actually make them more anxious.

Correcting separation anxiety must start with very small steps. You must slowly build up the experience that it is okay for the guardian to get up, that it is okay to go to the door, that it is okay to go outside the door for a moment, and that it is safe to be alone. In severe cases, barking, howling, scratching at the door, toileting mistakes, drooling, destruction of objects, and even self-harming behavior may occur. In these cases, we recommend consulting with an expert rather than trying to resolve the issue alone.

2. Aggression

You must be careful about aggression. Not all aggression has the same cause. Some children attack because they are scared, some children attack to protect resources, some children react sensitively because they are sick, and some children act defensively because of previous experiences.

It is dangerous to interpret aggression only as “strong”, “high in rank”, or “bad manners”. Safety management comes first, especially if the dog has bitten a person, has bitten another dog, or is growling while protecting food, toys, or space. Correcting aggression should not be approached with strong suppression. When your dog’s warning signs disappear, the situation can quickly escalate into biting.

If you suddenly become sensitive, check for health issues

If you notice new signs of aggression, biting, or sudden sensitivity, you should also check for pain or health problems. If your dog suddenly dislikes being touched, growls when touched in certain areas, or shows unusual sensitivity, don’t just see it as a training issue; you should also consider a veterinary check.

3. Fearful barking

There are strangers, motorcycles, bicycles, children, certain sounds, and dogs barking in certain places. At this time, the guardian may think, “Why am I so sensitive?”, but from the dog’s perspective, it can be a really scary or burdensome situation. The key is not to stop fearful barking by scolding it. You must slowly create the experience that the stimulus is not scary.

Continued exposure at too close a distance may cause your puppy to become more sensitive rather than adapting. Distance control is important for fearful barking. You need to watch from a distance and reward when he is calm, keep a distance that your dog can handle, get him to focus on you before he barks, and increase the distance if he gets too close. If your dog is scared My dog is scared Please also refer to the article.

4. Guardian Obsession

There are dogs that only follow their guardians, cry even when their guardians go to the bathroom, and get in the way when other people approach. From a guardian’s perspective, it may seem cute at first. It’s easy to think, “He loves me so much,” or “My dog only knows me.” However, if the obsession becomes severe, the dog may lose the ability to rest on its own.

Guardian obsession is not a simple affection issue. Your dog may not have enough practice to calm himself down. This problem takes time. It’s not good to push someone away unconditionally, and it’s also not good to continue hugging them. We need to slowly create the experience of being safe even when the guardian is not around. Mat training, house training, alone time, and independent play are all necessary. For information about your dog’s stability and confidence, How to increase your dog’s self-esteem and confidence It would be good to see it in conjunction with the article.

5. Conflict with multiple opinions

Conflicts that arise in households with two or more dogs are also not an easy problem. Guardians usually think, “The two will become friends on their own,” “It will get better with time,” and “They are sorting out their ranks.” However, if you neglect conflict, your relationship may worsen.

Resources such as food, toys, caregiver attention, a place to sleep, the front door, and a sofa can become sources of conflict. Multi-dog conflicts cannot be resolved by simply training one dog. Each dog’s temperament, resource management, guardian intervention method, life flow, and separation space are all required. Especially if fights are repeated or one side continues to avoid and shrink, it is recommended to seek professional help.

6. Old walk reactivity

There are dogs that bark, run, and get excited when they see another dog while walking. This issue is one of the most challenging issues for caregivers. Old walking reactivity will not be resolved by simply telling your child to “sit.” Since it is difficult for a dog to listen to its owner when it is already excited, training should begin before the dog becomes excited.

Management is needed by looking at people from a distance, rewarding them when they are calm, having them turn around when their names are called, creating a movement path that increases the distance, avoiding direct encounters, and reducing excessive greeting experiences. Safety management is a priority, especially for strong medium to large dogs or children who have already bitten other dogs.

Problems that a guardian can handle alone and problems that require counseling

Not every problem requires a trainer right away. Guardians can first try potty training a young puppy, creating name responses, basic training such as sit and wait, waiting before eating, lowering excitement before going for a walk, light jumping, simple leash pulling, and creating living rules. This problem is likely to improve if the guardian consistently sets standards and adjusts the timing of rewards.

Conversely, there are problems that require expert consultation. If your dog has ever bitten a person, bit another dog, attacked while protecting food or toys, barked or destroyed something when left alone, is difficult for the owner to control while walking, shows threatening behavior toward children or the elderly, is too scared to move outside, or is barking, biting, or aggressive, we recommend professional consultation.

A word about the human bear

If you are confused as to whether your dog’s problem behavior is a simple habit or a problem related to anxiety, fear, or aggression, it is better to first organize the current situation rather than enduring it alone for a long time. And whether it is an easy problem or a difficult problem, no problem can be easily solved if the guardian’s consistency is not the foundation.

If you are worried about walking, barking, biting, separation anxiety, or aggression issues in the Pohang and Gyeongbuk areas, check out the direction of counseling for human bears and dogs.

Introduction to Human Bear and consultation directions

Guardian habits that make problem behavior worse

Dog problem behavior is not caused by the dog’s tendencies alone. In many cases, repeated reactions from guardians worsen the problem. In particular, scolding someone by name, giving them what they want when they are excited, constantly putting them in situations where they will fail, and applying different standards every day can make the problem worse.

The name should be a good cue to get the guardians to look. However, if you scold your dog every time after calling his name, the dog may avoid or ignore you even if you call his name. Also, if the experience of barking and being taken for a walk, whining and being hugged, jumping and being touched, and pulling the leash and going to the desired place is repeated, the problem behavior can become stronger.

Another thing to be careful of is to keep putting yourself in situations where you will fail. It may not be helpful to deliberately take a child who is afraid of other dogs to a place where there are a lot of dogs, force a child who is afraid of people to touch it, or keep a child who has a strong walking reaction to running into him on a narrow street. Socialization is not just meeting people a lot. The goal is to gain good experiences at a distance that your dog can handle.

If there are multiple problem behaviors, what should I fix first?

If there are multiple problem behaviors, it is best not to try to fix them all at once. You need priorities. The number one priority is safety issues. Biting, aggression, lunging, or any behavior that is dangerous to children or the elderly should be looked at first. This problem is not just an etiquette issue; it can lead to an accident.

The second priority is a problem that destroys one’s life. Separation anxiety, barking all night, severe toileting problems, and behavior that disrupts the caregiver’s sleep can disrupt the life of the entire family. These issues need to be addressed quickly. The third priority is the problem of repeated habits. It is best to establish a standard for jumping, demanding barking, excitement before a walk, and pulling on the leash before they become habits. The longer the repetition, the longer the calibration time may be.

Problem behavior correction checklist

This behavior was repeated for more than 6 months.
The strength does not easily decrease even if the guardian stops it.
Have tried to bite a person or a dog.
The dog becomes too scared or excited in certain situations.
If left alone, they bark excessively or destroy things.
Difficult for guardians to control while walking.
Behavior becomes more severe depending on the caregiver’s reaction.
I am concerned about safety because I have children or elderly people in my family.
Multiple problem behaviors appear simultaneously.

If there are 1 or 2 checks, you can start by organizing your life rules. If there are three or more checks, it is recommended to check the cause of the problem together. If bites, aggression, or severe separation anxiety occur, professional consultation is recommended.

Man-Bear’s Conclusion

Dog problem behavior becomes difficult to solve if you only look at it as “stubborn,” “spoiled,” or “high in rank.” From a trainer’s perspective, what is more important is the reason for the behavior rather than the appearance of the behavior. In order to find the direction of training, you need to distinguish whether it is a behavior you do because you do not know the standards, a behavior you do because you are anxious, a behavior you are afraid of, or a behavior you have learned to respond to from your guardian.

Relatively easy problems can quickly improve if the guardian’s standards change. But old emotional issues need to be approached slowly, safely, and step-by-step. More important than scolding your dog to make him quiet is to teach him how to behave in that situation.

FAQ. Frequently asked questions about correcting dog behavior problems

Q1. How long does it take for a dog’s problem behavior to improve?

Depends on the type of problem and how long it is repeated. Problems caused by lack of standards, such as toileting, basic manners, and excitement before a walk, can be improved relatively quickly. However, problems that are deeply emotionally connected, such as aggression, separation anxiety, and fearful barking, can take weeks to months or longer.

Q2. Is barking easy to fix?

It depends on the cause of the barking. Demanding barking is likely to improve if the caregiver’s response is changed. However, fearful barking, borderline barking, and barking due to separation anxiety require step-by-step training tailored to the cause.

Q3. When do I need expert advice for biting?

If the dog bites enough to tear the skin, growls while protecting food, toys, or space, or reacts threateningly to a child or family member, professional consultation is recommended. Simple playful bites and aggressive bites have different approaches.

Q4. What are the issues that allow a guardian to train alone?

Guardians can try name responses, sit, wait, potty training, excitement before a walk, light jumping, and simple leash pulling first. However, if the behavior becomes more severe or there are safety issues, consultation is required.

Q5. If there are multiple problem behaviors, what should I fix first?

Safety issues come first. It is best to first look at behaviors that can lead to accidents, such as biting, aggression, or lunging while walking, and then deal with problems that are disrupting one’s life, such as separation anxiety or excessive barking.

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Guide to related articles: To view articles on responses to the cause of problem behavior, basic training, walks, and socialization, Puppy Check out the topic-specific guidance in the training information article collection.

Saramgom & Dogs

Dog problem behavior: what can be fixed quickly and what takes a long time