How to Tame a Difficult Dog
What constitutes a difficult dog? Any dog that has behaviors that make living with it challenging is a difficult dog. Some dogs have physical or medical challenges that may make life with them a little different; but it is the dogs with behavior difficulties that can try your nerves. A dog that insists on biting the hand that feeds it, or the dog that chews your furniture, shoes and clothing the moment you leave the house for work. It can also be the dog that refuses to learn how to behave when taking a dog obedience class for the 3rd time! Sometimes these difficult dogs are the ones who have had a rough life because they were abandoned when young, or abused by past owners. There are many reasons why a dog will exhibit difficult behavior. The dog owner who loves the dog will take the time and have the patience to learn how to win the heart and soul of such a dog. Here are some tips to follow if you find yourself with a difficult dog.
Owners of difficult dogs are often tempted to throw in the towel and accept misbehavior or worse, abandon their dog to a dog shelter. Others less fortunate dogs end up abandoned on the side of roads as their frustrated owners drive off. Owners who are filled with compassion, understanding and love for a dog who is less than perfect will take the time to learn about managing a difficult dog. You learn by seeking information first from your vet and then from other sources such as dog-training pamphlets and books found in libraries and bookstores. The Internet is an information highway filled with helpful sites, articles and blogs with all kinds of dog care information including tips on how to handle a difficult dog. You are reading one such article now.
Seek out professional training. These professional dog handlers understand the makeup of a dog and how to train the dog that is difficult. There are many training methods in which a professional dog trainer has access to through a network of professional trainers and years of experience. A trainer will design a plan that may involve numerous training sessions over a long period of time depending on the intensity of the problem your dog is facing.
Your vet will do a physical exam of your dog to be sure that there is no physical basis for the behavior. The dog’s diet will also be examined to see if a food allergy is at the root of some of the behavior. Sometimes a dog in pain or extreme discomfort can act aggressively.
The keys to helping your difficult dog is to take the time to be patient, try to learn all you can about why the dog is difficult so that you can understand how to help your dog. Make sure you utilize the talents of your vet to see if there is a physical reason for the dog’s behavior. Contact a professional dog trainer so that someone who is knowledgeable in handling difficult dogs can train your dog. You and your dog will soon have the knowledge you need to overcome the dog’s difficulties.
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