Managing your dog's behavior problem

Managing or preventing dog behavior problems is an important step in solving them. Once you know what triggers the bad behavior and how it's being reinforced, you can avoid those situations that drive your dog to the dark side. Then you can teach him alternative or incompatible behaviors as a more permanent solution.

How behavior management helps

Finding ways to manage your dog's behavior problem is extremely important as you work toward a long-term solution through retraining.

It keeps the bad behavior in check

Because a dog will repeat behaviors that are rewarding, a bad behavior can quickly grow out of control. The more your dog does it, the more likely he is to do it again. If you keep him from repeating the behavior, you break this cycle and stop the problem from getting worse. It's also easier to teach your dog a good alternative behavior if the bad one hasn't become an automatic reaction for him.

It keeps your relationship with your dog healthy

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