Dogs bring joy, laughter, and unconditional love to our lives—but sometimes, their quirky behaviors can spiral into full-blown problems. In the Dogs With the Weirdest Obsessions Ever! episode on the Dogs Behaving Very Badly channel, canine behaviorist Graeme Hall meets eight families struggling with their dogs’ unusual—and often disruptive—obsessions. From obsessive licking to escape artistry, this episode reveals just how complex dog behavior can be, and how patient, consistent training can turn chaos into calm.
In this blog, we’ll walk through each dog’s journey, the root causes of their behaviors, and the training methods that helped restore harmony. Along the way, we’ll also explore how a well-managed environment (and a clean one—hello, Carpet Deodorizers, Laundry Powders, and All-Purpose Cleaners) can support a happier home for both dogs and their humans.
Rosie’s Obsessive Licking: Attention-Seeking Gone Too Far
Rosie, a six-year-old Sprolley, developed an alarming habit: obsessively licking hard surfaces like concrete whenever visitors came over. Her owners, Ian and Angela, worried not just about the disruption, but also the risk of poisoning from harmful substances like antifreeze.
Training Approach:
Graeme showed that Rosie’s behavior was driven by attention-seeking. The solution was to remove that reward: whenever she licked, the humans calmly walked away, leaving her alone. Gradually, Rosie learned that licking equaled isolation, while calm sitting brought attention.
Progress:
Rosie’s licking reduced significantly, and the household finally began to feel calmer. Angela, who was experiencing her own health issues, could breathe easier knowing Rosie was on a safer path.
Tip: Attention-seeking behaviors often thrive on reaction. Staying calm and withdrawing attention can be a powerful training tool.
Buddy’s Bullying and Foot-Biting: When Play Becomes Power
Buddy, a Portuguese Water Dog, delighted in biting the women’s feet and ignoring their commands—while instantly obeying the men. This undermined Granny Carol’s confidence and added to her anxiety.
Training Approach:
Graeme reframed Buddy’s foot-biting as a game reinforced by movement and laughter. The solution was structure: firm, calm commands like “stop” and “leave it,” paired with still body language and consistent follow-through. Daughter Leslie became Buddy’s primary trainer, modeling confident leadership.
Progress:
Buddy began respecting Leslie’s commands, and Carol slowly gained confidence too. Though the journey wasn’t finished, the family could see real hope.
Note: Dogs often test boundaries more with certain family members. Unified rules and calm leadership from everyone are crucial.
Jarvis the Escapist: The Cocker Spaniel Houdini
Jarvis, a Cocker Spaniel, kept slipping through fencing to roam the countryside—sometimes risking encounters with gamekeepers. Even GPS trackers couldn’t prevent the danger.
Training Approach:
Graeme taught Jarvis a strong recall command (“come home”) using treats, praise, and gradual challenges: first on a short lead, then on a long line, and finally off-lead using a GPS collar that could play back the command.
Progress:
Jarvis responded enthusiastically, proving that safety and freedom can coexist when recall is reliable.
Safety Tip: Technology can support training, but it can’t replace it. A solid recall command is your dog’s lifeline outdoors.
Prince’s Scrunchie Theft: Mischief Born from Neglect
Prince, a Golden Retriever, turned his owner Janette’s life upside down by stealing scrunchies and food during client visits. After Janette’s chemotherapy, he hadn’t received consistent training, and her laughter at his antics accidentally rewarded the behavior.
Training Approach:
Graeme coached Janette to use firm body language and the “back off” command, standing tall and calm when Prince approached forbidden items. He emphasized consistent boundaries and removing any accidental reinforcement (like laughter or chasing).
Progress:
Prince learned quickly, letting Janette take phone calls and run her home business without chaos.
Environment Tip: Keep tempting items like scrunchies and food off the floor, and maintain a clean space with All-Purpose Cleaners so your dog isn’t drawn to forbidden objects.
Holly’s Shadow-Chasing: Light and Dark Obsession
Holly, a young Collie, turned her home into a cave—her obsession with shadows and light reflections forced her owners to live in near darkness.
Training Approach:
Graeme uncovered the root: Holly was seeking attention. When she chased shadows, her owners would play or soothe her. The new strategy? Complete, deliberate ignoring when the behavior started.
Progress:
Once the attention stopped, Holly gradually lost interest in shadows and became calmer overall.
Insight: Some compulsive behaviors are fueled by the drama of human reactions. Ignoring them can break the cycle.
Dave’s Disgusting Habit: The Poo-Eating Frenchie
Dave, a French Bulldog, horrified his family by eating his own and other dogs’ feces. Diet tweaks and deterrents hadn’t worked.
Training Approach:
Graeme built a strong “leave it” command, starting with food in a closed hand and rewarding Dave for resisting. Then they moved to real feces, using a hidden speaker in a garden gnome so owner Zanna could give remote commands anywhere in the yard.
Progress:
Dave began walking away from poo, showing that even this tough habit could be unlearned with consistency.
Sanitation Note: Regularly cleaning up with Carpet Deodorizers and Laundry Powders can reduce the temptation for dogs to revisit smelly spots.
Arthur’s Car Fear: A Battle of Wills
Arthur, a towering Great Dane, dreaded car rides so much that his owners had to drag him inside—creating daily stress.
Training Approach:
Graeme suspected the issue wasn’t fear of the car but the tension in his owners. Pulling on the lead turned car entry into a tug-of-war. Instead, he coached them to project calm confidence and keep the lead loose, inviting Arthur to follow.
Progress:
Arthur walked into the car willingly and calmly—proving that confidence is contagious.
Travel Tip: Practice car entry in low-stakes situations, and reward calm behavior generously.
Paco’s Humping Habit: Hormones, Stress, and Laughter
Paco, another French Bulldog, had developed a relentless habit of humping mops, hair dryers, and anything else he could mount—wreaking havoc in his owner Danny’s home and salon.
Training Approach:
Graeme taught Danny to interrupt with the “off” command, using strong body language and stepping between Paco and the object. Crucially, Danny stopped laughing, which had been rewarding the behavior.
Progress:
Paco stopped humping almost immediately and could return to the salon as a calm companion.
Behavior Tip: Some seemingly funny habits are actually signs of stress or overstimulation. Respond calmly and firmly, not with laughter.
Big Picture Insights for Dog Owners
Across all these cases, several core lessons stand out:
-
Attention is powerful: Many problem behaviors (licking, shadow-chasing, foot-biting) are attention-seeking. Remove the reward, and they often fade.
-
Calm leadership wins: Consistent, confident body language and tone help dogs feel secure and respectful.
-
Clear commands matter: Phrases like “leave it,” “back off,” and “off” teach boundaries—especially when paired with rewards for good choices.
-
Owner mindset matters: Anxiety, frustration, or inconsistency can worsen behavior problems. Dogs mirror human energy.
-
Tech is a tool, not a fix: GPS collars and remote speakers help, but they can’t replace training and relationship-building.
Building a Happier, Healthier Home with Your Dog
Just like these families discovered, addressing behavioral quirks can transform your relationship with your dog. Patience, consistency, and a structured environment are key. And keeping your home clean, organized, and free of temptations can help set your dog up for success. Explore our pet-safe Carpet Deodorizers, Laundry Powders, and All-Purpose Cleaners to create a fresh, stress-free space where good behavior can thrive.
For more insights on pet behavior, wellness, and home care, check out our blog and discover tips to make life with your furry friend even better.
