10 Signs of Bad Manners in Dogs and How to Fix Them

Having a well-trained dog means raising a canine companion who is obedient, thoughtful and well mannered, looking to you for guidance on appropriate behaviour. However, dogs are naturally lively creatures with a zest for life, which means exuberance and excitement can be quite normal. It's important to reflect on your dog’s manners from time to time and gently correct behaviours that cross the line into bad manners.

Below, we explore the top ten signs of bad manners in dogs, why they occur, and how you can work to improve them with kindness and consistency.

1. Jumping Up to Get Attention

Many excitable dogs jump up when greeting people or during play. While this is natural, it can be overwhelming or cause injury, especially for children and elderly people. Teaching your dog not to jump involves rewarding calm behaviour and gently turning away when they jump, ensuring they learn that calm greetings earn your attention.

2. Barking for Attention

Barking serves many purposes, including warning, excitement, and play. However, frequent barking solely to gain your attention or because your dog feels neglected is considered rude and can be disruptive. Training your dog to understand when barking is appropriate, and rewarding quiet behaviour, helps curb this habit.

3. Pulling on the Lead

When dogs treat walks as an opportunity to lead their owners rather than follow, pulling can become a problem. Addressing this requires firm but gentle training, possibly using a Halti head collar or chest harness for better control, and rewarding loose-lead walking to encourage polite walking manners.

4. Resource Guarding

Resource guarding is when dogs become possessive over food, toys or other valuables, sometimes growling or snapping to protect them. This behaviour is serious and should be managed with professional help if necessary, using positive reinforcement to teach your dog that sharing or stepping away is safe and acceptable.

5. Begging for Scraps

Begging during mealtimes, such as pushing against your legs, pawing or staring, often develops through accidental rewards. To stop this, never feed your dog from the table and consider closing them out of the dining room during meals until they learn to wait patiently.

6. Pushing In When You Are Engaged with Others

Some dogs try to grab your attention by inserting themselves between you and another person or pet, displaying jealousy or being pushy. While your dog’s need for attention is valid, they must learn it’s not acceptable to demand it constantly. Redirect their focus with commands or treats, and ensure balanced attention for all pets and family members.

7. Obstructing You

When your dog sticks underfoot or blocks your path to gain your attention, it can be irritating and unsafe. Consistent training and gentle but firm management will teach your dog to respect your space and wait politely.

8. Refusing to Comply with Commands

Reliable recall and prompt command compliance are signs of good manners in dogs. If your dog selectively obeys commands, especially when distracted, it’s important to reinforce training with patience and rewards, gradually increasing distractions as their skills improve.

9. Snapping

Snapping is an unacceptable behaviour that poses risks to people and other animals. It can escalate into more serious aggression if unchecked. If your dog snaps, be very firm and clear that this is unacceptable. Seeking help from a qualified canine behaviourist is strongly advised to address this safely and effectively.

10. Taking the Alpha Role Over Some Family Members

Sometimes dogs take advantage of family dynamics, particularly with younger children, by pushing boundaries or bossing them around. Adults must supervise and manage these interactions to ensure the dog respects all family members equally, preventing any form of dominance or bullying behaviours.

Responsible dog ownership involves recognising and gently correcting these manners with kindness and consistency. If you encounter difficulties, professional training help can provide tailored solutions for your dog’s needs to nurture a happy, well-behaved companion.

Remember that building good manners is a journey that strengthens the bond between you and your dog, creating a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone.

Considering choosing a dog? Find a puppy or choose from reputable breeders to ensure your new friend grows with excellent temperament and manners.