19 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Out Of Control + 7 Tips To Fix It

Your dog’s out of control.

They bark at people, run like crazy, and destroy things all over the house. 

It’s driving you nuts!

Keep reading to discover:

• When you should see a vet.
• What to do about this behavior.
• 7 scenarios of out-of-control pooches.
• 19 reasons why your dog is out of control.
• Ways you can tell if you have a ‘Hyperkinesis’ pooch.
• And much more…

Why is my dog out of control?

Your dog is out of control because of puppyhood, reinforcement, lack of training or mental stimulation, breed personality, sudden changes in the environment, inappropriate punishment and commands, wrong diet, fear, anxiety, trauma, excitement, hyperkinesis, arousal, or dog dementia. 

---

19 reasons why your dog is out of control

---

#1: They’re still a pup

What’s the cutest thing in the world?

PUPPIES! 

That’s true. But their cuteness comes with a price. 

Not only will they steal your heart, but they’ll also chew on your furniture, nip at you, and poop around the house. 

They can really get out of your control most of the time. But bear in mind that it’s just a natural thing for puppies to do. 

This is because they get excited about discovering things. And they’re not trained yet.

#2: Lack of training

But your pooch isn’t a puppy anymore. They’re an adult dog. 

So why are they still misbehaving?

The reason why they’re being out of control is the lack of training while they’re still a pup.

Because they were not corrected, they look at this behavior as an acceptable thing to do. 

#3: Reinforcement

“Pizza’s here.”, says the delivery guy. 

Arf arf arf! Grrrrr…

One thing your pooch hates in the world is people setting foot on their territory. 

And because you fear that they’ll come and attack the person outside, you give them treats to calm them down. 

Although giving your dog treats is pretty harmless, this is a temporary solution. In fact, you’re even creating a bigger problem. 

By rewarding them when they’re being out of control, your dog will think that they’re doing a good job. 

So they’ll still continue with this behavior. 

#4: You don’t stimulate their mind

Dogs are smart animals, especially working and guard dogs. 

You need to give them a job and new things to do or an activity that challenges their intellect. Or else they get mentally stressed. 

They get out of control. This then leads to them doing things such as:

• Biting.
• Destroying.
• Stealing things. 
• Pulling on leash.
• Being disobedient.
• Having aggression.
• Continuous barking.
• Pooping and peeing in the house.
• Not responding to your calls and commands. 

#5: It’s their breeding

Your friend’s dog is very polite. 

They don’t jump on you whenever you visit them, and they don’t nip at you when you’re sitting on their couch. 

Then there’s your pooch. 

They’re making a mess out of the house again.

You love them and you give them everything they need, but sometimes they make you pull your hair out.  

“Why does my friend’s dog behave and mine’s out of control?”

Their dog breed is the answer to your question. 

Your friend’s dog’s breed may be naturally obedient. While yours can be stubborn – like Siberian Huskies and Shiba Inus.

#6: They don’t go out enough

There’s no doubt that your dog loves the outdoors. But you refrain them from leaving the house.

Why’s that?

“My pooch goes way out of control when they’re outside. 

They run around the whole neighborhood. And they don’t come back whenever we call them to come home. 

I’m worried they’d get lost.”

Well, there’s a reason why you’re pooch is behaving this way whenever they get out. 

Dogs are active. They love to run around in wide spaces.

Because you don’t bring them outside enough, they’d get out of control. Thus they’ll refrain from acknowledging your command to come home. 

They try to make the most out. They’re aware that their time is limited. 

#7: Sudden changes

Another reason for this is they’re not yet acclimated to the sudden change in their environment. And because of it, they’re acting out of stress. 

Here’s an example.

You only have one dog. But since you don’t want them to be alone whenever you leave, you got them a companion. 

A new doggo. 

That’s when everything changed. Your first dog who’s well-behaved before is out of control all of a sudden. 

They’re attacking the new dog and they’re starting to destroy things inside the house.

And they don’t listen to you anymore.

#8: Wrongly-timed behavior correction

Your pooch’s out of control because you don’t correct their mistakes at the right moment.

Here’s a scenario:

The moment you open the door, you’re welcomed by a dog with tissue wrapped around them and a messy house. 

“What have you done!?”, you shout.

Because of your anger, you put them inside their crate and you ground them there for a while as you clean their mess. 

You know why you’re punishing your dog. 

But your dog doesn’t. 

“Why am I here? I only greeted you at the door, hooman!” 

You’re punishing them for something they’ve done earlier. So your dog doesn’t know exactly why they’re being punished now. 

They’ll start to lose trust in you because they think you’re disciplining them for no reason. That’s why they’ll refuse to listen to you.

#9: Wrong diet

“My dog only eats premium food.”, you say.

But have you checked their food label? 

You’d be surprised that there are commercial dog food products that have high carbohydrate contents and empty calories. 

So how does this affect your pooch exactly?

To put it simply, sugar is a form of carbohydrate. And empty-calorie sugars can make your dog hyper. 

Because of the sudden bursts of energy and the ‘sugar high’ it brings, your pooch may misbehave and get out of your control. 

#10: Command nagging

Your dog’s behavior is getting out of control, so you thought it’s time you train them how to act properly. 

“Stop.”

“Stop!”

“Stop!!!”

Based on the things you’ve researched, teaching your dog the ‘Stop’ command will make them stop their unruly behavior. 

So why are they still being chaotic?

Your stubborn pooch may be acting this way because you’re nagging on them. 

If you are repeating the command more than once, your pooch thinks that it’s okay for them to continue being out of control. 

They will only follow you until you say the word ‘Stop’ the fourth or sixth time. 

#11: They’re scared of you

You’re at the end of your wits.

Ever since you got your pooch from the shelter, they’ve never stopped being so stubborn. 

They try to bite you, destroy your stuff, and they don’t listen to you. 

Your dog’s out of control.

“Why are you being like this when I just want to love you?”

Because your dog’s not accustomed to you yet, the reason why they misbehave is that they’re scared of you. 

#12: Rules don’t matter in new environments

Your pooch is the most polite and disciplined dog in the world. Until they go out.

Whenever they’re in another house or a dog park, something changes. 

They transform from being a good furbaby to the naughtiest doggo alive.

They run endlessly, dig like there’s no tomorrow, and fight with other dogs.

No matter how much you call on them to stop misbehaving, it seems your words are getting on deaf ears. 

Suddenly, you become invisible to your pooch. 

“Oh, no! Why’s this happening?”

Because of the new environment, your dog gets overwhelmed. 

There are too many things to do, and they can’t add ‘responding to call’ into their list. 

For your dog, commands aren’t that important outside your house. 

What matters is that they’re having the time of their life.

#13: Trauma

Another reason why your pooch is out of control is because of bad experiences in the past.

It’s possible that their previous dog parents treated them badly. That’s why they’re being wary of your presence.

They won’t listen to you. And they may also show signs of aggression out of fear that you’d hurt them.

#14: Too much excitement

Every time your pooch gets excited, things start to look worrisome.

They go berserk, all hell’s breakin’ loose. 

Your dog’s out of control.

They jump on you and tackle people. And now your house’s a mess because they run around, destroying things that get in their way. 

This behavior may be because they lack exercise and mental stimulation. 

Thus, they tend to get super excited when there’s a chance of them going outside to play.

#15: Hyperkinesis

ADHD is for humans as Hyperkinesis is for dogs.

“Uhm, I don’t exactly understand what you mean, Petya…”

Sorry about that. Let me explain this further. 

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, by its name, is a brain disorder. A person who is suffering from this condition has symptoms such as: 

• Being overly active.
• Being Disorganized. 
• Having dfficulty in focusing their attention. 

Now, hyperkinesis is like ADHD, and dogs could also have this condition. 

Aside from the symptoms mentioned above, dogs with hyperkinesis may also show:

• Difficulties in training.
• Attention-seeking behaviors.
• Aggressiveness when stressed.
• Poor socialization with other dogs.

Note: If you’re worried that your out-of-control dog has hyperkinesis, you can ask for a vet’s advice here.

#16: Dog dementia

As dogs get older, they also start to show changes in their body and everyday activities. 

They may start developing a brain disorder known as doggy dementia or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. 

This condition can make your pooch disorganized. 

They may also lose a sense of their surroundings. 

Some other symptoms of CCD include repetitive movements and changes in how they interact with you.

Aside from those mentioned above, they may even forget that you’re their dog parent. 

Thus they won’t come when you call them or listen to your commands. 

#17: Mating season

When female dogs are in heat, they get out of control. 

Not only them, but the males too.

Both of them would try to get out of their houses, not heeding their dog parent’s calls.

And don’t even get me started on how they’d bark and whine every night. 

During the estrous cycle, female dogs have this scent that makes male dogs go crazy. And they won’t stop until they’re mated. 

#18: Lack of socialization

Did you know that puppies can be separated from their birth mothers and siblings as early as 6 weeks old? 

If this is the case, the pups were removed too early from the litter. 

That’s why they don’t learn bite inhibition, self-soothing, and how to properly socialize. 

Is your pooch misbehaving whenever they’re playing with other dogs?

Do they fight with them often? 

Or are they too vocal when playing?

If your answer to this is yes, then there’s a chance that lack of social skills causes your doggo’s out-of-control behavior.

#19: Testing boundaries

Same as humans, dogs also go through the ‘teenager phase’.

This is between their ages of 6 to 18 months. The time they just got out of puppyhood and before they become a full-grown adult.

In this span of time, they won’t listen to your commands. And they’ll do misbehavior for the fun of it. 

They’ll disobey your rules, and they’ll cause havoc in the household. 

Okay, I might be exaggerating a bit. 

But to put it simply, they’d be out of control. 

“Why will this happen?”

This is because, in this period, your pooch will test your boundaries. 

They’ll do many things to see how far they can go until you scold or get mad at them.

So if they get away from certain misbehavior, they’re likely to continue doing it until they become adults. 

What to do about it

Having a dog who’s out of control can be both frightening and troublesome. 

But the good thing is that you can still correct this behavior. 

Train them and expose them to different environments. This will condition your dog that rules aren’t just applicable at home. 

They’ll learn that they’re still relevant in other places such as other houses and outdoors.

And to make sure that their minds are stimulated, give them challenging activities. 

Make them work for their food. 

You can do this by scattering treats around your yard and making them look for it like a treasure hunt. 

You can also give them toys, such as a ‘Kong’.

Also, ensure that they’re fed right. This will lessen their seeking-attention misbehaviors.

When to go to the vet

You should go see a vet if your dog is showing signs of dog dementia, hyperkinesis, or separation anxiety.

Note that these disorders may need medications and therapies. 

The vet can also spay your female dog to avoid them from going through the estrous cycles.  

For male dogs, neutering can lessen their aggressive and territorial behaviors. 

---

7 scenarios of dogs that are out of control 

---

#1: Dangerous dog out of control

Aggressive, territorial, and possessive dogs have the potential to be dangerous.

That’s why their behavior must be corrected early.

Here are some tell-tale signs to check if your dog needs proper training.

• Excessive barking.
• Biting and attacking people.
• Growling and snapping when you come near them.

If your pooch is showing behaviors mentioned above, it’s best to ask for professional advice. 

You can ask help from dog behaviorists and trainers. 

Warning: If you’re concerned that your dog is dangerous, you must not try to correct them by hitting or striking. This will cause them to be more aggressive towards you.

#2: Police dog out of control 

Nothing’s scarier than a police dog that’s going out of control. 

They’re trained to bring down any person they’re targeting. So can you imagine what could happen if they go berserk in public?

In Indianapolis alone, statistics show that K-9 police dogs bite a person every 5 days.

And in the span of 3 years from 2017 to 2019, people who were bitten by police dogs in the same state reached a total of 243. 

Now, what could happen if you’ve encountered a police dog who’s out of control? Here’s some of them:

• Biting.
• Mauling.
• Attacking.
• Serious body injuries. 

In any case that you’ve encountered one, it’s important that you don’t run from a K-9. There’s no chance that you’ll outrun them anyway. 

And don’t fight back. You’ll only aggravate them further.

Stay calm as much as possible. 

If they attack you, drop and roll your body into a tight ball. Cover your head and face to avoid further injuries.

Reading tip: How Police Dogs Know Who to Chase, Attack, Bite (Bad Guy) 

#3: Dog out of control on walks

Dogs who are overly excited when going outdoors get out of control.

This is because they aren’t trained how to walk properly

If you can’t control your pooch during walking, they may likely do things such as:

• Pull their leash.
• Not respond to your calls.
• Snap and growl on other dogs.

Although this behavior isn’t too dangerous yet, you must still correct this by teaching your dog obedience skills and commands. 

You can train them the ‘Stop’ or ‘Ignore’ commands when they see triggers. Or the ‘Sit’ to make them calm down.

Don’t confine them in crates for too long to control their excitement when going out.

Also, make sure they have enough exercise and exposure to the outdoors. 

#4: Barking dog out of control  

Your dog may bark excessively for medical reasons such as: 

• Dog dementia.
• Separation anxiety.
• Body injury and pain.

Or it could also because of behavior problems like:

• Being territorial. 
• Seeking attention.
• Lacking social skills.

So how can you control your dog’s barking problem? The first thing you need to do is to assess why your dog does this behavior exactly. 

What triggers them to behave this way?

On which occasions do they bark?

Before you correct your pooch, make sure to check your energy first. 

Your dog will be able to sense what you’re feeling. If you’re scared or anxious, they’ll get a negative vibe.

It’s important that you calm yourself down. And don’t correct your dog by shouting, or they’ll see it as you’re barking with them.

The only time you should reward them is when they’ve stopped barking.  

Reading tip: Do Dogs Get Tired Of Barking? The Truth + 7 Anti-Barking Tips

#5: Dog out of control on leash 

A dog who’s out of control will pull on their leash when walking and fight with other dogs they come across. 

Some dangers it could cause are slipping and unforeseen attacks. 

They could also injure other dogs, joggers and the person who’s walking them. 

To limit your dog from being unmanageable during walks, use a strong and shorter leash. 

This enables them to lead the direction of where the two of you will go. Plus you can still control them if they misbehave. 

Also, make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise. 

Dogs who aren’t getting any are more likely to get the ‘zoomies’, or the sudden bursts of energy when walking. 

This makes them harder to walk and control. 

#6: Dog out of control in house 

The possible reason why a dog is uncontrollable in the house is that they’re not yet housetrained. Or they’re still unfamiliar with the house rules. 

If they’re not corrected, your dog could continue misbehaving. 

They’ll also lose their respect for you as their dog parent and your boundaries. 

They may:

• Chew on your things.
• Invade your personal space.
• Constantly beg for your food. 
• Do attention-seeking behaviors such as excessive barking.

It’s important that you train your dog proper behavior at home as early as possible. 

Don’t wait for them to reach 6 months of age so it’s easier to train them. 

When they do something wrong, make sure to correct them at the right moment. 

Be prompt and patient. 

And be consistent with your rules so as not to confuse your dog. 

#7: Dog out of control around other dogs

The reason why a dog is uncontrollable around other dogs is because they lack socialization. 

Or they’re also being territorial. 

To help your dog with their social skills, you can introduce them to other dogs and people. Make sure that you do it in a safe environment. 

Now, if it’s because they’re being territorial, you can ask for a dog trainer or a behaviorist’s help.