Destructive BehaviorAll Dogs Can Be Good Dogs

Stop Your Dog’s Destructive Behaviors in Royal Oak, MI

Get Control Over Bad Behaviors

Destructive behaviors like chewing, digging, and nonstop barking can turn a quiet home into chaos. It may seem like regardless of how much you yell, your dog just won’t listen. Often, these behaviors stem from a lack of communication or unaddressed needs, like boredom or anxiety. Luckily, with the right training, your dog can learn how to express themselves in positive ways—and you’ll both enjoy the calm that comes with it.

At Connected Canine Academy, we make training a fun, dynamic experience that solves destructive behavior issues. We combine a mix of techniques—like gentle corrections and positive feedback—to help your dog understand what’s expected of them. By building strong communication and setting clear boundaries, we’ll teach your dog the right behaviors while strengthening the bond you share.

Say goodbye to destructive habits and hello to a well-behaved, happy pup!

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How Board-&-Train Programs Can Stop Destructive Behavior

Board-and-train programs are a great way to help your dog kick destructive behaviors to the curb. By bringing your dog into a structured, consistent environment, they’ll have the opportunity to focus on learning without distractions.

In a board-and-train setting, your dog is taught not only to follow basic commands but also to understand boundaries, helping them to break the cycle of behaviors like chewing, excessive barking, or digging. This immersive experience ensures that your dog gets plenty of time to practice, repeat, and reinforce their new skills in a controlled setting.

What makes board-and-train programs even more effective is that they allow your dog to work with professional trainers who know how to handle these behaviors in real-time. Your dog will experience a daily routine focused on teaching good habits while addressing problem behaviors right at the source. When you bring them home, your dog will have the skills and confidence to behave appropriately, and you’ll see a significant reduction in destructive behaviors.

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Common Bad Behaviors in Dogs

Many unwanted behaviors in dogs come from excitement, anxiety, boredom, or a lack of clear guidance. Without structure and proper training, dogs may develop habits that disrupt the home and make interactions more challenging. While these behaviors often seem frustrating, they usually stem from natural instincts or learned responses rather than defiance.

Barking & Jumping: Often due to excitement, anxiety, or seeking attention.
Begging: Usually linked to reinforcement from the owner.
Biting & Nipping: Often stemming from a lack of training or impulse control.
Chewing: Driven by boredom, teething, or the need to explore.
Digging: Often caused by excess energy, anxiety, or a dogs’ natural instinct.

How Exercise Stops Destructive Behaviors

When dogs don’t get enough physical activity, their excess energy can manifest in undesirable ways like chewing, digging, or excessive barking. Regular exercise burns off this energy as well as builds a stronger relationship between you and your pet, leaving your dog calmer, happier, and less likely to engage in bad habits.

Here are some ways exercise directly addresses destructive behaviors:

Barking & Jumping: Regular exercise reduces excitement and helps your dog stay calm, making them less likely to bark or jump excessively.
Chewing: Dogs that are exercised are more likely to use toys or engage in positive behaviors rather than chewing on furniture or shoes.
Digging: Exercise helps release pent-up energy, reducing the need for dogs to dig as an outlet for frustration.

Exercise plays a critical role in a dog’s overall well-being and helps alleviate the frustration that can lead to destructive behaviors. By incorporating daily exercise into your dog’s routine, you’ll not only improve their physical health but also prevent unwanted habits from taking root.

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Bad Behaviors in Dogs FAQs

What Causes My Dog to Chew on Furniture & How Do I Fix It?

Dogs chew on furniture for a variety of reasons, including teething, boredom, anxiety, or even a lack of exercise. Puppies often chew to relieve the discomfort from teething, while adult dogs may chew out of frustration, stress, or simply because they’ve developed a habit.

If your dog is left alone for long periods without enough mental stimulation, they may turn to furniture as an outlet for their energy. Additionally, chewing is a natural behavior that can also be linked to seeking attention or exploring their environment.

To stop your dog from chewing on furniture, start by providing them with plenty of chew toys to redirect their behavior. Crate training can also be helpful to prevent unsupervised chewing when you’re not around.

Make sure to exercise your dog regularly to reduce excess energy, and be consistent with training. If your dog starts chewing on furniture, immediately redirect them to an appropriate toy and reward them for chewing on it. Positive reinforcement and setting boundaries will help curb the behavior over time.

How Can I Stop My Dog from Begging at the Table?

Begging is often a learned behavior, with dogs associating food scraps or attention from the table with a reward. Many owners unintentionally reinforce begging by giving in and offering food when their dog begs, whether out of guilt or the desire to stop the behavior. This creates a cycle where the dog continuously begs because they know they will get something in return. Additionally, dogs may beg because they want attention, not necessarily food, and they’ve learned that this is the best way to get it.

To stop this behavior, avoid giving your dog any food from the table and make sure they have their own designated space while you eat. Consistently rewarding good behavior, like staying calmly in their bed or not begging, will help them understand that begging isn’t effective.

It may take some time, but with patience and consistency, you can train your dog to stop begging, and they will learn to relax during mealtime.

Why Does My Dog Dig & How Can I Stop It?

Digging can be caused by a number of things, from natural instincts to stress. Some dogs dig because they’re trying to create a cool spot to lie down, especially during hot weather. Others dig due to boredom, anxiety, or frustration.

Dogs that are left alone outside may dig to escape or create a den-like area, while some breeds, like terriers, are simply more inclined to dig due to their history as hunters and burrowers. Digging can also be a way for dogs to express excitement or anxiety.

To stop your dog from digging, it’s important to first determine the root cause of the behavior. Providing your dog with sufficient physical and mental stimulation can help reduce boredom-related digging.

If your dog is digging to escape or relieve anxiety, address these issues by offering a safe and comfortable space for them to relax. Training your dog to follow commands like “leave it” or “come” when they start digging can help redirect the behavior. Positive reinforcement and responsible corrections, alongside exercise and mental stimulation, will minimize digging over time.

How Do I Stop My Dog from Nipping During Playtime?

Nipping is a natural form of communication for dogs, especially during play, as they learn social boundaries by using their mouths. In the wild, puppies often nip their littermates to communicate, but in a domestic setting, this behavior can escalate if not addressed early on. Nipping can also be a sign that a dog is overstimulated or is testing boundaries, especially during rough play. It’s important to teach your dog the difference between playful nipping and unacceptable behavior.

To curb nipping, start by redirecting your dog’s attention to a toy or chew item when they nip. If your dog continues to nip during play, immediately stop the interaction and give them a timeout. While using a tool for negative corrections can help solve nipping outside of playtime, try to avoid using one during playtime. For example, giving a dog a slight shock from, say, an e-collar could convince them that the act of playing is what’s wrong, not the nipping.

Using a command like “gentle” during play can also help reinforce appropriate behavior. Be consistent in your approach, and as your dog learns to play gently, remember to reward them when they behave appropriately. Over time, your dog will learn to associate playtime with calm behavior.

How Do I Stop My Dog from Resource Guarding?

Resource guarding occurs when a dog becomes protective of food, toys, or even their owner, often resulting in growling, snapping, or other aggressive behaviors when someone approaches their resources. This behavior can be rooted in a dog’s instinct to protect valuable items, especially if they feel threatened or insecure. Dogs that have experienced scarcity or inconsistency in the past may guard resources more aggressively, and this behavior can escalate if not addressed early on.

To stop resource guarding, it’s crucial to address the behavior with positive reinforcement and gradual desensitization. Start by giving your dog treats or praise when someone approaches their food or toys to create positive associations with people being around their resources.

Avoid reprimanding the dog when they guard resources, as this can increase anxiety and worsen the behavior. Instead, teach your dog to “drop it” or “leave it” on command and reward them when they follow through. With time and consistent training, your dog will learn to share their resources without feeling threatened.

Stop Destructive Behaviors

Professional dog training is the best way to tackle any destructive behaviors from your pet that may seem overwhelming.

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