I get many calls that begin with:
“Can you stop my dog chasing?”
“Can you stop my dog digging?”
“Can you stop my dog barking?”
And my honest answer is no – because I’m not in the business of suppressing your dog’s natural instincts. Think about it for a moment. Would you contact a child behaviourist and ask them to:
- Stop your child playing football because the sound of the ball annoys you?
- Stop your child dancing because they get in the way of the TV?
- Stop your child doing arts and crafts because it makes a mess?
Of course not. Those are healthy outlets for a child’s energy, creativity, and joy. It’s the same for dogs. Chasing, digging, barking – these are natural behaviours rooted in centuries of breeding. They’re not bad dogs, they’re just being dogs. The problem comes when those instincts get misdirected:
- A Border Collie without an outlet for chasing may start herding joggers or cyclists.
- A terrier without a digging outlet may redesign your lawn.
- A dog bred to guard may bark at every passer-by.
The real question isn’t “Can you stop it?” but rather “How can we give my dog a safe and appropriate outlet so the behaviour doesn’t become a problem?”
- A Border Collie with a strong chase drive might thrive in agility.
- A terrier who loves to dig can have an approved digging pit in the garden.
- A dog bred to guard can learn “speak” and “quiet” cues, turning their instinct into a fun trick with boundaries.
When we respect what our dogs were bred to do and give them positive outlets, everyone wins – your dog gets to express their nature, and you get peace at home.
Penarth Dog Training helps owners understand and work with their dogs natural instincts – using kind, modern, and games-based methods.
