I am a professional pet expert and have a three step plan to keep your dog well behaved and owners should remember the key points

We all know someone who has trapped a dog.

They may well be man’s best friend – at last count there were 12 million dogs living in homes in the UK.

But the parks are now full of crazy, barking mutts whose owners are struggling to cope.

Canine behaviorist, nutritionist and hydrotherapist Leon Towers has 12 years of experience helping wayward dogs and recognizes that old methods don’t work.

Instead, he thinks of all dogs as children.

In his new book, Fix Your Dog in Three Easy Steps, he writes, “I don’t believe there is such a thing as an adult dog.

“Instead, I believe that all dogs have the mental age of a three-year-old child.

“No matter how old they are, dogs never mentally outgrow a three-year-old.

“Even if a dog is 17 years old, he still has the mental needs of a three-year-old.”

Leon believes that every dog ​​can be fixed by focusing on three things – diet, environment and mental stimulation – and that all dog owners should remember one key point.

He writes: “Look not at what they did, but why they did it.

“There is always a reason behind behavior.

“Dogs don’t do things just because they want to.

“They want to please you.

“Any problems like chewing, aggression or destructive habits – they all happen for a reason.

“They’re not born like that.”

Here we share Leon’s top tips for managing your dog’s behavior from his new book, published by Cassell (£14.99) on 11 July.

Diet

LIKE humans, dogs can be affected by their diet.

To help curb your dog’s bad behavior, make sure you feed him the right things, just like you would a child.

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Leon says canines need at least 70% of their diet to be meat, but some brands of dog food contain none.

One important thing to reduce is carbohydrates.

Leon writes: “If I had a dog with what I would call ‘nervous energy,’ who is always nervous and anxious, I would know before I even looked at the diet that it would contain a lot of carbohydrates.

“Why? Because carbohydrates turn into sugar.

“Like a child who likes sweets, if your dog eats too many carbs and sugar, they will bounce off the walls.”

Red meat can also be a problem, as Leon says it can contribute to aggression.

He writes: “If your dog has aggression issues, whether with humans or between dogs, I would avoid beef, lamb, rabbit or duck.

“Red meat contributes to anger problems because it is full of testosterone.

“It’s like injecting your dog with steroids.”

Leon recommends chicken, turkey and fish.

The trainer also believes that a raw diet is the healthiest.

Another tip from him is to limit treats, as it’s like giving cookies to a child.

He suggests putting a treat in a jar every time you give one to your dog – so you can see how quickly it fills up.

Finally, Leon believes that adult dogs need two meals a day and these should be eaten after morning and evening walks.

He writes: “A dog needs a meal around 7am to 8am, after the walk, and around 4pm to 5pm.

“Dogs can become bloated or twisted in the stomach from exercising too soon after a meal.

“You wouldn’t go to the gym after eating.”

Environment

FOR dogs to be on their best behavior, it is vital that owners make sure their home space is a suitable environment for them.

Leon writes: “He needs routine, consistency and boundaries.

“He needs to know where he can and can’t go, and he needs to have a place he can escape to when things get too much – the equivalent of a child’s room.”

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First, make sure your dog’s bed is perfect.

Leon says it should be in a quiet place, away from the front door.

He recommends crates because they are like a den.

Leon does not see them as a punishment tool unless that is how they are used by the owner.

If you want your dog in the room, that’s fine too.

For people with aggressive dogs, he recommends restricting access to the hallway and front door through a security door.

Having a gate, rather than closing it, allows the dog to see what is going on and, as a result, reduces anxiety.

No matter your dog’s temperament, Leon recommends having areas that are red zones – meaning your pet doesn’t have automatic access.

These should be places like the kitchen or small children’s rooms.

These off-limits areas can be cordoned off with more gates, so your furry friend can still see what’s going on.

The next step is toys.

Although many owners leave their pets’ belongings scattered around the house, this is a bad habit, according to Leon.

He writes: “Your dog needs to know what his toys are and when he can play with them.”

This could be in the form of having a designated box for your dog’s toys and then introducing them to him at playtime.

Mental stimulation

KEEPING your dog mentally satisfied is a big part of helping him behave well.

Leon writes: “Mental stimulation is exercise for your dog’s brain.

“Dogs don’t just need physical exercise, they also need mental engagement – ​​activities and challenges that make them think, learn and solve problems.

“A bit like we were doing sudoku!

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“Just as walks keep your dog healthy, it’s important to keep your dog’s mind occupied.

“This is vital for dogs with difficult behavior.”

Dogs need to be walked twice a day, according to Leon.

Spice up their routine by changing the walk you take or taking them somewhere new to enjoy.

Another way to keep dogs mentally stimulated is to have two play times a day when their toys are brought out.

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon are the best times, according to Leon.

Interact with your dog and his toys for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Leon recommends play dates as well as doggy daycare a few days a week so your pet has different friends to play with.

Finally, he suggests an hour of hydrotherapy so your dog can play with other dogs.

But it all depends on what you can afford.

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