Dog Obedience Problem

By Vic Lee

Who knows why your dog does some of the things that he does? Or more important, who wants to know why your dog does some of the things that he does?

Why Do Dogs Insist on Jumping on People?

The behavior goes back to the weaning process. As puppies grow, the mother dog begins to feed them standing up, so puppies have to stand on their hind legs to feed. Then, as her milk decreases, the puppies jump up to lick at the corner of her mouth, trying to get her to regurgitate her semidigested meal.

When she does, it's the puppies' first introduction to solid food. As dogs grow, jumping becomes more of a greeting behavior, as in, "Hi, good to see you," much like people shake hands when they meet someone.

Because the behavior is so instinctive, modifying it is sometimes difficult. Although you're probably pleased that your dog is happy to see you, you'd also probably prefer a more sedate greeting, especially if Buddy is a large dog. And, because jumping up on people is a friendly gesture, we suggest modifying the behavior in a positive way.

Why Do Dogs Like to Chase Things?

Dogs chase things for a variety of different reasons:

- To chase intruders, be it people or other animals, off their property

- To chase a potential meal, such as a rabbit, squirrel, or chipmunk

- To chase just because the object is moving, such as cars, bicycles, or joggers

- To chase because it's fun

Whatever the reason, chasing usually isn't a good idea because it can endanger the safety of people and the dog. Unless you're prepared to keep Buddy on leash under circumstances where he is likely to chase, you need to train him to come when called.

Need to know how to solve dog obedience problems? Learn How to Train a Dog.