5 Things You're Accidentally Teaching Your Dog

Have you ever wondered why your dog jumps on guests, pulls on leash, or barks for attention? Here’s a little secret: many of the behaviors we don’t love were taught, accidentally, by us.

Dogs are always learning. Every interaction teaches them something. But don’t worry, once you understand what’s going on, you can start reshaping those habits for the better.

Let’s break down 5 common things dog owners accidentally teach… and how to fix them.

1. Jumping = Attention

What happens:

Your dog jumps on you when you walk in the door. You say “No! Off!” or try to push them down. Even if you’re frustrated, your dog sees this as engagement.

What they learn:

Jumping gets your attention.

Even a “no” or a little shove can feel like a reward to an excitable pup who wants your attention after being gone.

What to do instead:

Ignore the jumping—no talking, touching, or eye contact. As soon as your dog has all four paws on the ground and calms down some, reward with attention or treats. Consistency is key! Get everyone in the household on board.

2. Pulling on Leash = Getting There Faster

What happens:

Your dog drags you to a tree, a squirrel, or their favorite spot. You follow because you’re just trying to make it to the end of the walk.

What they learn:

If I pull, we move.

They don’t see the leash as a limit. They see it as a tool to get what they want.

What to do instead:

When the leash goes tight, stop moving or turn the other direction. Wait until your dog looks at you or moves back toward you, then continue forward. Reward them for walking with a loose leash.

3. Barking = I Get Stuff

What happens:

Your dog barks at you, and you give them a toy or attention to quiet them. Or they bark at the back door and you let them out right away.

What they learn:

Barking makes things happen.

You may have just taught them a new trick… the kind that never stops barking.

What to do instead:

Wait for a moment of quiet before giving what they want. If your dog barks at the door, wait for silence, then open it. If they bark at you for a toy, wait for calm behavior before giving it.

Pro tip:

Teach your dog that quiet = reward. Use a command like “quiet,” and reward silence regularly.

4. Ignoring You = That's Fine

What happens:

You call your dog, they ignore you, and you keep repeating yourself until you give up.

What they learn:

Commands don’t mean much, especially the first time.

The more your dog learns they can ignore you without consequence, the more they will.

What to do instead:

Only use commands when you can follow through. If your dog doesn’t come when called, go get them and bring them back to where you called them. Always reward when they listen! Make obedience worth it.

5. Being Wild = I'm Free!

What happens:

Your dog is bouncing off the walls and you open the door to the backyard. Or they’re barking in the crate and you let them out to stop the noise.

What they learn:

Wild behavior = freedom!

This creates a cycle of overexcitement and poor impulse control.

What to do instead:

Wait for calm behavior before opening a door or giving freedom. Even a few seconds of quiet or sitting is better than rewarding chaos.

Pro tip:

Practice calm exits and crate manners. Make calm the key to what they want.

Teaching Smarter, Not Harder

Dogs don’t come with a rule book, and sometimes we teach behaviors we never meant to. The good news? You can always teach something new.

Every dog is different, and one method isn’t going to work for every pup. If these tips don’t seem to be helping, that’s okay! It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It might just mean your dog needs a different teaching style to really understand what you’re asking. That’s where a good dog trainer comes in.

At Belly Up Dog Training, we use a variety of techniques to solve the everyday (and not-so-everyday) challenges dogs bring to the table. Whether your dog is excitable, independent, or just not catching on, we’ll help you find the right approach to build better habits and a better relationship.

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out alone, either.