How to Stop Unruly Behavior in Dogs

Posted by Oreo the Labrador on Sat, Dec 3, 2022

Dogs are amazing animals and can be great companions. They are loyal, intelligent, and they have the unique ability to form strong bonds with their owners. Unfortunately, some dogs can also exhibit unruly behavior. This can range from minor issues, such as barking and jumping, to more serious issues, such as aggression and destruction of property.

The good news is that unruly behavior can be addressed, and owners can take steps to prevent it. In this blog, we will discuss how to identify and address unruly behavior in dogs, as well as provide tips to help owners prevent it.

Identifying Unruly Behavior

The first step in addressing unruly behavior in dogs is to identify it. Unruly behavior can range from minor issues, such as barking and jumping, to more serious issues, such as aggression and destruction of property. It is important to identify the specific behaviors that your dog is exhibiting, as this will help you determine the best course of action.

Some common signs of unruly behavior include barking, jumping, digging, chewing, and aggression. If your dog is displaying any of these behaviors, it is important to take note and take steps to address the issue.

Causes of Unruly Behavior

Once you have identified the unruly behavior in your dog, it is important to determine the cause. Unruly behavior can be caused by a variety of factors, such as boredom, anxiety, or lack of exercise.

Boredom is a common cause of unruly behavior in dogs. Dogs are intelligent animals and need mental stimulation to stay engaged and entertained. If your dog is not getting enough mental stimulation, they may become bored and exhibit unruly behavior, such as barking or chewing.

Anxiety is another common cause of unruly behavior in dogs. Dogs are sensitive animals and can become anxious in certain situations, such as being left alone for long periods of time or being in a new environment. If your dog is exhibiting signs of anxiety, such as barking or pacing, it is important to address the issue and provide them with the support they need.

Lack of exercise is another common cause of unruly behavior in dogs. Dogs are active animals and need regular exercise to stay healthy. If your dog is not getting enough exercise, they may become restless and exhibit unruly behavior, such as digging or chewing.

Addressing Unruly Behavior

Once you have identified the cause of the unruly behavior, it is important to take steps to address it. There are a variety of strategies that can be used to address unruly behavior in dogs, such as positive reinforcement, obedience training, and behavior modification.

Positive reinforcement is a great way to address unruly behavior in dogs. This involves rewarding your dog for good behavior, such as sitting or staying, with treats or praise. This will help your dog learn what behaviors are acceptable and what behaviors are not.

Obedience training is another effective way to address unruly behavior in dogs. Obedience training involves teaching your dog commands, such as sit and stay, and rewarding them for following the commands. This will help your dog learn to follow commands and understand what behaviors are acceptable and what behaviors are not.

Behavior modification is a more intensive approach to addressing unruly behavior in dogs. This involves systematically changing your dog’s behavior by using positive reinforcement and teaching them new behaviors. Behavior modification is best done by a professional trainer and should only be used for more serious issues, such as aggression.

Preventing Unruly Behavior

Once you have addressed the unruly behavior in your dog, it is important to take steps to prevent it from occurring again. There are a variety of strategies that can be used to prevent unruly behavior in dogs, such as providing mental stimulation, offering regular exercise, and creating a consistent routine.

Providing mental stimulation is a great way to prevent unruly behavior in dogs. This can include providing toys, playing games, or teaching your dog new tricks. This will help keep your dog engaged and entertained and will prevent boredom, which can lead to unruly behavior.

Offering regular exercise is another way to prevent unruly behavior in dogs. Exercise will help keep your dog healthy and will help them release any excess energy that could lead to unruly behavior.

Creating a consistent routine is also important for preventing unruly behavior in dogs. Dogs thrive on routine and need to know what to expect from day to day. Having a consistent schedule for walks, meals, and playtime will help keep your dog calm and prevent them from exhibiting unruly behavior.


Unruly behavior in dogs can range from minor issues, such as barking and jumping, to more serious issues, such as aggression and destruction of property.

It is important to identify the specific behaviors that your dog is exhibiting and determine the cause. Once the cause of the unruly behavior has been identified, it is important to take steps to address it. There are a variety of strategies that can be used to address unruly behavior in dogs, such as positive reinforcement, obedience training, and behavior modification.

It is also important to take steps to prevent unruly behavior in dogs, such as providing mental stimulation, offering regular exercise, and creating a consistent routine. With the right approach, unruly behavior in dogs can be addressed and prevented.