My dog is destructive and stubborn. How do I get him to listen?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. You’ve already named a few of the problems. Neutering probably won’t help the energy level but may help with the dominance actions. Anxiety is huge and often requires anti-anxiety medication and always requires some form of training. In some instances, training will not be effective until you start some sort of medication so I recommend speaking to your vet. Finally, even though you do much more than many owners in terms of exercise (great work!), it still may not be enough for Stitch, depending on his breed and demeanor. Consider dog parks (once neutered), having him run along a bicycle, etc. Finally, give it time. Many breeds do not settle down until 2-3 years of age, but most eventually do settle down. Best wishes to you and Stitch!

I am so sorry that you are experiencing these problems with destructive behaviour with Luther. I am sure it is very upsetting for you. First of all rest assured that this is a very normal puppy and young dog behaviour. Puppies learn through oral exploration and it is part of our role as pet parents to help them learn limits. The behaviours will calm down with age. In general the goals will also be increased exercise and mental stimulation. I would not attempt negative reinforcement such as striking Luther or speaking harshly as this will potentially create more serious behaviour issues such as anxiety and fear-aggression. Try some calm corrections and positive reinforcement. If Luther destroys something, simply say in a calm voice "no" and stop interacting with him for a few moments. This over time will teach him that chewing is not a desired form of play. Also try reinforcing him as she starts to play in a good way by not chewing inappropriate things, and giver him a small training treat. You can also try increasing her exercise and mental stimulation. These help with behaviour issues. Redirection to more appropriate activities or games will also help Other games which may be fun with Luther are hide and go seek either with you and another person, or you hide his toys and he has to find them. Or classic fetch. I would also suggest a dog appeasing pheromone diffuser such as this one to help calm him; www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=32887 Here are some resources to help; https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-tips-to-help-prevent-destructive-chewing/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/10-ways-to-stimulate-your-dog-s-brain/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-5-toys-gadgets-for-your-dog/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/benefits-of-maintaining-an-active-lifestyle-for-your-pet/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-myths-about-dog-aggression/ I hope this was helpful!

Hi there! Stitch could be bored or anxious. You could try distracting him and making him sit or heel and walk around with you, using treats as rewards. I will recommend owners try something like this in these situations first, and if distractions and simpke commands don't help, it's time to call a trainer. Trainers can help you work with Stitch in the right way to stop the u wanted behavior. Not only is it annoying, but you don't want him to get in a dog fight, bite a person or another dog, or chase a car and possibly get struck. Sometimes the longer we let bad behaviors go, the longer they may persist.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Usually these behaviors can be corrected but this usually needs in person training by a qualified dog trainer. I recommend you consider hiring a qualified dog trainer to work with you in person. You can try using positive reinforcement by focusing on the positive meaning when he listens to you and stops chewing you start rewarding him with treats and praise. Most of the time when that is done consistently, it tends to help significantly. Good luck and have a good day!

I certainly understand and sympathize with your situation. I have one younger dog that is much too high energy. I have a few suggestions for you that have helped me, but I would try to figure out anything that has triggered Grizzley's new behavior. When an 8 year old dog has sudden behavioral changes, it is worth going to your veterinarian for an exam and blood work just to make sure nothing is wrong. And if Grizzley is going to risk hurting himself, be sure to keep him in a crate when he is not supervised. As far as keeping Grizzley occupied, one thing that people think of first is treats that keep them busy for a longer period of time. This does seem to help. You can use long lasting treats like a Kong filled with peanut butter, yogurt, treats, etc and frozen so it takes longer for him to eat. My dog also really like Bully Sticks which I also freeze to make them last a little longer. And keep him mentally and physically busy during meal times. I love using a feeding balls like a Buster Cube or Tricky Treat ball to feed meals in. It keeps my dog busy for at least 5-10 minutes at each meal and requires him to work. And speaking of working. I have found that my dog is the most tired after we have done a good round of training. Even if you have done a basic obedience class, I would consider trying an advanced class, a nose work class, a tricks class, etc. And if taking a class isn't an option right now, work on training at home. When he goes on walks, make him sit at each corner before he crosses the street. It sounds simple, but additional mental stimulation can go a long way. Playing with other dogs is a great outlet for energy. If you haven't tried it yet, look into your local dog park or doggy daycare center. Sending my youngest dog to daycare once a week has made a huge difference. There are a number of interactive dog games and toys available now. Outward Hound makes a number of toys that your dog has to figure out a puzzle of some type before they get a treats. Here are some ideas for those. https://www.petco.com/category/dog/dog-toys/interactive-dog-toys/dog-puzzle-toys-and-games I have not tried the Clever Pet yet, but it is an electronic interactive toy that I am intrigued about. https://clever.pet So, I think the key is to vary his activities daily and include a wide range of physical and mental stimulation. Be sure to be creative to tire him out on a regular basis and help everyone keep their sanity. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sadly this is a puppy and or breed problem that MOST dogs eventually outgrow. Everything he could chew on should be put away or removed until this phase of puppy-hood is over. The family needs to learn to put their shoes in the closet. All plants should be put up on furniture or shelves. All exposed wires should be hidden or blocked with baby gates. When Damon can not be 100% watched he should be crated for his own safety or penned in a dog play pen or gated in a room that is puppy proofed. Make sure he gets plenty of exercise with walks and one on one play or sign him up for doggie day care during the day. Most chewing occurs out of boredom. Sign him up for training classes or start teaching him "leave it" and be sure he knows how to come when called. This is going to take time and patience and everyone doing their part to prevent injury to their belongings and to Damon. I hope this helps and I wish you the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is just behavior commonly seen with her breed as they are dominant and challenging and require very strict and consistent training. These types of behavior can improve though this does require in person training with the help of a qualified dog trainer. I would encourage you to contact a dog trainer that can work with you and Sally in person to really take care of this behavior. The sooner these behaviors are dealt with, the more likely it is that you can improve and resolve them. Good luck and have a good night!