Dog Behaviour Issues & How to Fix Them

Many pet parents face behavioural issues in dogs that disrupt home life. We work with:

• Aggressive behaviour – including fear aggression, possessive tendencies, and protective instincts
• Excessive barking – helping you stop your dog from barking unnecessarily
• Separation anxiety – keeping your dog calm when left indoors or in another room
• Leash pulling – improving walking manners so you can train your dog to stay by your side
• Destructive chewing and digging – chewing is a natural behaviour, but a chew toy and proper training go a long way
• House soiling and inappropriate elimination – important for both puppies and older dogs
• Attention-seeking behaviour – jumping on guests, whining, or pawing for interaction

Understanding your dog’s unique needs is key to dog behaviour correction. Behaviour issues in dogs can stem from:

• Lack of training or socialization during puppyhood
• Medical issues — always see a vet first to rule out pain or illness
• Natural behaviour patterns such as hunting instincts or predatory instincts
• Anxiety or fear periods in puppies and young dogs
• Breed tendencies — especially in working or hunting breeds
• Improper house training or inconsistent boundaries

Alpha Paws offers dog training for behavioural problems through structured, one-on-one sessions held at home or outdoors. We focus on:

• Owner-led training – teaching you how to fix behaviour problems in dogs with leadership and calm authority
• Positive reinforcement alternatives – while we do not use treat-based bribery, we reinforce desired behaviours naturally
• Real-world practice – greeting people calmly, walking without anxiety, and remaining steady around distractions
• Addressing root causes – working with your pet’s natural behaviour while setting firm, respectful boundaries

Assess: Identify triggers, from warning growls to protective instincts.

Train: Use calm leadership, leash handling, and controlled exposure.

Reinforce: Encourage calm responses and stop rehearsed aggression.

Expect: Noticeable changes within the first week; steady progress in 3–6 weeks. (We do not use e-collars or food-based bribery.)

Assess: Note the situations that spark barking.

Train: Apply redirection, structure, and exposure to triggers.

Reinforce: Reward calm silence and consistency.

Expect: Reduction in barking within days; reliable quiet within weeks

Assess: Observe anxiety signs when left alone.

Train: Introduce crate training, short departures, and self-settling.

Reinforce: Build confidence through routine and calm returns.

Expect: Calmer behaviour in the first week; stronger independence in 3–6 weeks.

Assess: Find the cause of chewing or digging.

Train: Provide outlets like toys, supervision, and boundaries.

Reinforce: Direct energy to acceptable behaviours.

Expect: Noticeable decrease within days; lasting results with structure.

Assess: Track patterns in elimination.

Train: Use scheduling, crate management, and consistent routines.

Reinforce: Praise correct habits; prevent accidents with supervision.

Expect: Improvement in the first week; stable house training in weeks.

You should contact a trainer if:

• Aggression is escalating, or your dog has bitten
• Behaviour changes occur suddenly without a clear cause
• You’ve tried home training but see little improvement
• Your dog’s behaviour affects safety in the home or community

• Proven results in dog training behavioural issues for over two decades
• PLocal expertise – we know the challenges of training throughout Ontario’s seasons
• Respect-based approach – no harsh corrections, just calm leadership
• Tailored guidance – we teach your dog the skills needed to live happily and healthily without anxiety.

• Supervise young or untrained dogs
• Give your dog quality time and exercise
• Make your dog work for rewards through basic training
• Teach your dog calm greetings and patience
• Ignore your dog’s attention-seeking behaviour until they settle