10 Signs Your Dog Needs More Training

Early on in my pet parenting journey I came across a quote that really stuck with me. “They’re not dangerous if you raise them right.” Over the years, this adage has rung true for my experience with our canine companions. No matter what a dog’s breed, lineage, history, or personality, if you prioritize training from the get go, you can get ahead of most behavioral issues. That’s why the signs a dog needs training should never be ignored.

Now what do these signs look like? Or how to tell if your dog needs more training, you may wonder. Let’s get your conundrums out of the way with this lowdown on tell-tale signs that point to dog behavior training needs.    

Signs Your Dog Needs More Training

Often, pet parents get so smitten with their furry babies that they begin to overlook the importance of dog obedience training. Say your pet jumps on you when you come home after a long day at work and all that love and adoration (and the serotonin hit it brings) makes you overlook the fact that this is not a desirable behavior. Or they pull on the leash and continue to ignore your commands to stop and you let it slide. Or they beg for food and you reward that behavior with table scraps. 

Every time you let an undesirable behavior go uncorrected, you’re telling your dog, “Hey, it’s okay. You can get away with this.” That’s how signs that your dog is disobedient begin to take hold. If not checked in time, this may lead to you dealing with a pet that is unruly and hard to control. That’s a lose-lose situation for everyone involved. To prevent that, let us look at top 10 lack of training induced common dog behavior issues and solutions: 

1. Your dog doesn’t respond to basic commands

One of the foremost signs a dog needs training is that they don’t consistently respond to basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” or “heel”. These dog training commands are not only the cornerstones of good behavior but also essential for your pet’s safety. Inconsistency in responding to these could indicate a lack of reinforcement or that your pet is confused about how they’re expected to respond. This means the dog behavior training needs are not adequately met and you need to invest more time and effort in the process. 

How to fix

• Revisit basic commands regularly. Train in a quiet environment to minimize distractions and use treats or toys for reinforcements 
• Break down the commands into smaller steps. For example, if your dog is struggling to follow the “stay” command, start with the sit command, then get your dog to stay for 2-3 seconds before rewarding. Gradually increase the time.
• Practice consistently and ensure everyone in the household uses the same commands to weed out any confusion

Suggested Reading: Reactive Dog Training 101: How to Train A Reactive Dog

2. Pulling on the leash

If you’ve been wondering when to train your dog more, pulling on leash is a pretty distinct sign that you need to. Your dog must be trained to walk slightly behind or right beside you. The tendency to pull on the leash can put both you and your pet at risk. For instance, if they pull too hard upon seeing something exciting or threatening, they could end up hurting you and themselves. Besides, it shows that your dog doesn’t recognize you as their leader. 

How to fix

• Use the right training tools to discourage pulling 
• Stop walking every single time your dog tries to pull. Call them back or wait for the leash to slacken before you resume walking. As tedious as it sounds, this step must be repeated until your dog gets a hang of what is expected of them 
• Reward your dog when they walk without pulling  
• Incorporate the “heel” command in dog obedience training

Suggested Reading: How to Train a Dog Off Leash

3. Excessive barking

Excessive, uncontrollable barking is another clear answer to the dilemma of how to tell if your dog needs more training. While barking is natural for dogs, excessive barking at noises, people, or other animals can indicate underlying issues like anxiety, inability to handle excitement, or a need for attention. 

How to fix

• The key here is to cater to dog behavior training needs by determining the underlying cause and trigger behind the barking 
•  Then work toward desensitizing your dog to the trigger by exposing them to the trigger gradually
• Alongside, work on teaching the “quiet” command. Reward your dog every time they stay calm even in when exposed to the trigger and adhere to your “quiet” command  
• Ensure that your dog gets enough physical exercise and mental stimulation through the day, as boredom can lead to excessive barking 

4. Jumping on people

A dog may jump on people out of excitement or as a way of greeting. However, this is still an undesirable behavior that indicates a need for more training because it can be scary to the people who are unfamiliar with your dog or just uncomfortable around dogs in general. Besides, it can also be dangerous for children and elderly who may trip and fall as a result of the jump. That’s why dogs need to be taught to greet calmly, without jumping. If your pet has a hard time controlling that impulse, despite commands, you need to revisit training. 

How to fix

• Jumping is often a dog’s way to get attention so the best way to discourage it is to disengage. When your pet jumps, walk away or turn your back toward them, ignoring them completely 
• Give them attention only once they’ve calmed down and are sitting or on all fours 

• Teach them an alternative way of greeting people by making them sit as they’re being petted. Or even give a paw as a way to greet people. 
• Reward your dog when they follow the alternative way to greet people 
• Instruct other members of the family as well as your guest to ignore your dog if they jump

Suggested Reading: 15 Fun Dog Tricks to Transform Your Pet Into A Showstopper

5. Destructive behavior

Destructive behaviors like chewing on furniture, shoes, or household items, tearing things up, digging excessively are all signs your dog needs more training. These behaviors can stem from anxiety, boredom, lack of stimulation, or a lack of boundaries. If left unchecked, they can spiral out of control. You needs a structured training program to help your dog unlearn these behaviors 

How to fix

• Offer appropriate toys like chews or puzzles to keep your dog mentally stimulated and redirect destructive behaviors like chewing or tearing things up
• Make sure you circulate the toys you offer to your dog to keep them interested 
• Take your dog out for walks, make sure they get adequate play time and exercises to reduce boredom 
• Crate training a dog with separation anxiety can also be immensely helpful in preventing and correcting destructive behaviors  

6. Aggression 

If your dog shows aggression toward other people or animals by barking aggressively, growling, or biting/attempting to bite, it’s a rather concerning sign of a lack of training. Aggression can put others as well as your dog in danger and needs to be addressed without delay. 

Since aggression stems from fear, lack of socialization, resource guarding, or dominance issues, dog training for aggressive behavior requires you to identify the underlying trigger and work on correcting it to create a more balanced temperament.

How to fix

• Understand the triggers behind your dog’s aggression
• Focus on desensitization and counterconditioning by gradually exposing your dog to their triggers at a distance, rewarding them for calm behavior, and then, steadily decreasing the distance over time
• If your pet’s aggressive tendencies are severe and getting hard for you to control, you must employ the services of a professional trainer or behaviorist

7. Inability to calm down

A hyperactive dog who is unable to relax and settle down even after physical activity or exercise is a dog in need of more training. Behaviors such as pacing for no reason indicate that your pet hasn’t learned how to self-regulate and calm themselves down, and could indicate underlying issues such as pent-up energy or anxiety. 

How to fix

• Teach your dog the “spot/place” and “settle” commands so that they learn to go to a designated spot when they need to calm down. Reward compliance every single time 
• Balance physical activity with calm periods to make sure your pet isn’t over-stimulated as it can make it harder for them to calm down
• Calming tools like scent training, puzzle toys, or slow-feeder bowls can also be helpful in teaching your dog to channel their energy the right way 

Suggested Reading: How To Train A Dog To Listen: 8 Steps

8. Ignoring recall commands

Recall is a crucial part of a dog’s training as it guarantees your pet’s safety, making sure they don’t land themselves in dangerous situations. However, if you’ve noticed that your dog continues to ignore your recall commands when they’re excited, intrigued, or in a distracting environment, that’s when you know you need to train your dog more. The key here is to make coming back to you more rewarding than any distraction. 

How to fix

• Use high-value rewards that your dog just cannot resist to reinforce the idea that coming to you is better than any distractions
• Start practicing recall in controlled environments, like your home or backyard. Gradually, increase the difficulty by adding distractions
• Practice recall in open spaces using a long leash, giving your dog freedom to explore while ensuring you can still guide them back if they ignore the command

9. Begging for food

A dog begging for food shows a clear lack of boundaries. This tendency usually takes hold when people offer their pets table scraps as a gesture of love. However, doing it even a few times is enough to reinforce a rather unhealthy habit in your dog, which poses a health risk and can become an annoyance over time. If your pet looks at you with those puppy eyes, coaxing you to share food off your plate, it’s a clear sign you need to work on setting boundaries through more training. 

How to fix

• Create a designated spot for serving your dog their meals, treats, and snacks, so that they know that they’re supposed to eat only what’s offered to them in that spot. 
• Even if you want to share something you’re eating with your dog, like a slice of watermelon or some peanut butter, offer it in the designated spot 
• Feed your dog before you sit down to eat. If they’re full, they’ll likely not seek food off the table or your plate 
• Teach your dog to sit and stay in a specific spot—their bed or a preferred corner of the house—during your meal times
• Ignore begging completely. No matter what your dog tries, do not give in. Even offering them table scraps occasionally can reinforce the behavior
• Offer your dog a chew toy at the time you eat, so that they have them something to focus on other than your food

10. Separation anxiety

If your dog becomes so anxious when left alone that they whine, bark, drool, destroy things, or have accidents inside the house despite being potty trained, they may well be suffering from separation anxiety. Proper training can help mitigate this tendency and help make your dog feel more secure about being left on their own.   

How to fix

• Start by leaving your dog alone for just a few minutes and gradually increase the time you’re away. Reward them with a treat when you return if they stay calm
• Dogs often pick up on cues that you’re leaving such as grabbing keys or putting on shoes. Perform these actions without actually leaving the house can help reduce anxiety
• Consider using calming aids like music designed for dogs or interactive toys to keep them occupied while you’re away

Takeaway

These signs highlight the need for structured, consistent training to ensure your dog is well-behaved, safe, and comfortable in various environments. Addressing these issues early with positive reinforcement training can lead to a happier and more balanced relationship between you and your pet. No matter what issue you’re looking to correct, these 3 key dog training tips will stand you in good stead: positive reinforcement, patience and consistency, and frequent but short training sessions.