Five ways to deal with a naughty dog

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Dogs aren't that different from humans, in the sense that they come in all shapes and sizes, experience many kinds of emotions and have all kinds of personalities. Some dogs - no matter the breed - will be prone to cheeky, naughty or downright terrible behaviour.

Here's a few ways to deal with a dog that's acting up:

Ask yourself the tough questions

First things first: as pet owners, we owe it to our little furry friends to do everything we can within our means to give them a happy life. This means not being afraid to turn the mirror on ourselves and to be open to the fact there might be some things we could be doing better. Are you being too relaxed with treats and feeding time? Are you too hard on your dog? How could you make them more comfortable in your home? Ask yourself all these questions before blaming your dog for misbehaving.

Pinpoint the source

There's often a logical reason for bad behaviour in dogs. Has something changed in their routine lately? Is there anything they could be scared of? Are they bored? Try to be attuned to your dog's behaviour (all of it - not just the bad stuff) to get a better sense of what could be the source of the trouble.

Stay calm

It can be hard to do but keeping your cool can go a long way where badly behaving dogs are concerned. Dogs have a great sense of human energy through their immense capabilities when it comes to scent and sound. When humans become frustrated or angry, dogs can easily detect that and are likely to become agitated and frantic. If you don't know how to remain calm, how can you ever expect your dog to? That said, it's a fine balance - a good owner also knows when to reprimand a dog for acting up.)

Don't give up

Sometimes, these situations defy logic and there doesn't seem to be any simple solution. It'd be easy to throw your hands up and surrender to the disruptive behaviour of a troublesome pet. But don't give up - take a breath, do your research, and logically figure out what the next best step is going to be for you and your little mate.

Know when to get help

All things considered, it's important to know when to seek assistance. Nobody should have to deal with this stuff alone. Getting professional help could be the best thing possible for both you and your pet: take a trip to the vet if you can, or contact your nearest SPCA.