How to Fix Common Dog Behavior Problems With One Simple Tool

From excessive barking to jumping on guests and inappropriate chewing, most common dog behavior problems stem from excitement, confusion, or stress. As a lifelong dog mom and pet industry pro, I’ve helped many pet parents with their dog’s behavior problems. Wouldn’t it be great if one simple tool could help tackle many behavioral issues in dogs?

My Cocker Spaniel, Sir Alvin, wants passersby to his property to know that he is the king of his castle, so like many dogs, he barks. Ironically, he never barks at the mailman or any delivery people, but that’s not the case for all of the 68 million U.S. households that share life with a dog.

At first, I tried the usual, “No, no, quiet” with treat redirection. None of it stuck because I was reacting to Sir Alvin in bark mode. There had to be a better way. 

That’s when I talked to Certified Professional Dog Trainer Robin Bennett. She spoke to me about Sir Alvin’s behavior and changing the pattern, not the dog. With one simple tool, some patience, and several weeks of practice, something clicked. His barking faded into a quiet huff and then eventually just a few little “boofs.”

What worked for Sir Alvin wasn’t magic; it was structure. The same concept that helped him stay calm can help dogs with a variety of other challenges, from overexcitement to impulse control. Here’s how one small training tool helps solve some of the most common dog behavior problems.

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also an Etsy and Chewy affiliate.

What is the One Simple Tool to Help Common Dog Problems?

The KLIMB, Jr. is a training and enrichment platform for dogs and cats introduced by Blue-9 Pet Products in October 2025. Like its larger sister, the KLIMB, the KLIMB, Jr. is a smaller, more versatile version of the original KLIMB, specifically designed for puppies, smaller dogs, and cats. However, the KLIMB, Jr. packs a mighty punch and can support pets up to 300 pounds.

Whenever I’m considering investing in a new product for my dogs, I want to be sure it checks all the quality, durability, and affordability I demand. Before I share how the KLIMB, Jr. helps to solve everyday common dog problems, here’s what you get when investing in a KLIMB, Jr:

• Affordability at under $ (and an additional 20 percent savings with code FIDOSE20)
• Spacious enough for my Cocker Spaniel, which is  24″ L × 15″ W × 6″ H
• A weight rating to support up to 300 pounds
• Your choice of several colors
• A cushioned, non-slip, water-resistant, semi-permanent top (yep, you can use it outdoors!)
• Made in the USA

Personally, I wanted the KLIMB Jr for portability, ease of use, and to teach my dog a happy place whenever he starts barking (including during my work and ZOOM calls). 

If you are familiar with the larger version, which we use and love, the KLIMB, then you know how easy it is to use and why it is far superior to any other platform-type training and behavioral tool on the planet. If you aren’t familiar with the KLIMB, getting started is easy and fun with the KLIMB or KLIMB Jr (or both, as we use them together).

How to Get Started with the KLIMB Jr.

When it first arrives, your dog may look at it like, “What in the heck is this?” In no time, they’ll look at the KLIMB, Jr. and think, “something good is about to happen.” 

Here’s how to get your dog used to the KLIMB, Jr. 

Note: If your dog is already familiar with the KLIMB, you can skip this section, as it works the same way but in a smaller size.

1. Introduce the KLIMB, Jr.

Place the KLIMB Jr. where you’d like your dog’s designated spot to be. Let your pup explore and sniff at their own pace. Toss a treat onto the platform to invite them up on top of it. No pressure, just curiosity and reward.

2. Reward short stays

When all four paws land on the platform, mark the moment with an enthusiastic “Yes!” and give them a treat right there. Offer a few more rewards while your dog stays on, then release them with a happy “All done!” 

FUN FACT: I reward my dogs with verbal praise and/or treats, and they behave like they just won best in show.

3. Build the habit:

Practice in short, upbeat sessions. You can add a sit or down if your dog is ready. Keep it positive, keep it brief, and always stop before your dog gets restless.

With just a few minutes a day, your dog will start hopping onto their spot on their own because they’ll realize it’s their favorite place to be.

Common Dog Problems the KLIMB, Jr. May Help Solve

Keep the above steps in mind as we tackle the most common dog problems that the KLIMB Jr can help with.

How Do I Stop My Dog from Barking at Distractions?

Dogs will often bark at passing people, dogs, or other noises because they feel the need to protect, alert, or release pent-up energy. A defined spot, such as the KLIMB, Jr., helps redirect your dog to focus and calm, especially since they know it’s a good space. 

How To Fix It: 

• Begin with short “place” sessions on the KLIMB Jr. when it’s quiet and calm.
  
• Once your dog understands the cue, introduce mild distractions, such as a family member walking by or gentle outdoor sounds.
  
• Gradually increase intensity: door knocks, people passing outside, or movement near windows.
  
• Reward calm behavior and quiet observation instead of silence by command.

Why It Works: When your dog learns where to go and what to do when something exciting happens, the barking naturally starts to fade.

Pro Tip: Keep sessions under 3 to 5 minutes and always end on a successful note. The goal isn’t to eliminate barking overnight; it’s to teach your dog they have another option when life gets loud.

I keep the KLIMB, Jr. next to my home office desk. When Sir Alvin starts getting loud and barking at a passerby, I redirect him with “go to your spot” and reward him like the champ he is. Remember, dogs are supposed to bark. Let them bark. But when it’s excessive or at the wrong things, the KLIMB Jr is a dog-send.

Why Is My Dog Afraid of Everything?

Fearful behavior in dogs, such as flinching at sounds, avoiding people or other animals, or freezing during walks, often stems from insecurity, not stubbornness. If you’ve rescued a dog, they come with a history that may include less-than-kind people. Some dogs feel less than secure in an unpredictable world. 

How to Fix It:

• Start by introducing the KLIMB Jr. in a calm, familiar environment with no pressure, just treats and curiosity.
  
• Reward any interest in the platform: sniffing it, stepping on it, or even looking at it confidently.
  
• Once your dog is comfortable, use it as a station during new experiences (guests visiting, new sounds, or gentle grooming).
  
• Pair every interaction with calm praise and high-value treats to help your dog associate the space with safety.

Why It Works: Fearful dogs thrive on routine and predictability. I raised a very fearful Cocker Spaniel pup who was rescued from a puppy mill. The KLIMB, Jr gives fearful dogs a consistent, non-threatening surface that indicates to them that “this is my spot.” 

As your dog’s confidence grows, they begin to transfer that confidence to new people, sounds, or changes thanks to the confidence-building achieved with the KLIMB Jr. training. 

Pro Tip: Never get upset with or scold your dog for not performing. Every dog has their own pace. Confidence training is about small wins, not perfection. Never rush progress. 

How Do I Get My Dog to Stop Jumping on Visitors?

When the doorbell rings or guests arrive, some dogs go from zero to zoomies in a heartbeat. Jumping, barking, and spinning are all forms of excitement, not bad manners. Overstimulation happens because dogs don’t know what to do with that burst of energy. 

How to Fix It:

• Set up the KLIMB Jr. near the door but far enough away that your dog can watch calmly.
  
• Practice the “place” cue before you have company and start with pretend door knocks or a friend or neighbor walking in.
  
• When guests arrive, cue your dog to go to their spot and reward quiet focus.
  
• Release with a happy “okay!” once everyone has settled.
  
• Repeat until your dog automatically chooses their platform when the doorbell rings.

Why it Works: The KLIMB Jr. turns chaotic moments into calm opportunities by giving your dog a clear, consistent job: go to your spot and stay until given the okay. Dogs thrive on predictability. When overstimulating events follow the same pattern of doorbell = go to place = get rewarded, they stop reacting out of chaos and start responding with confidence. 

The KLIMB Jr. provides both a physical and emotional anchor during high-energy moments, transforming what was once mayhem into mindfulness.

Pro Tip: If your dog gets excited when you arrive home, don’t scold them; they’ve been waiting for you. I can tell you from personal experience: The loudest sound in the world is the sound of silence when you come home to an empty house after your dog passes away. Cherish your time with them.

How Can I Help My Dog Feel Less Afraid of Grooming or Vet Visits?

I won the Dog Writer’s Association of America Fear-Free Award for helping dogs feel less afraid at vet visits, so I know a lot about this topic.

Many dogs aren’t being “difficult” when they resist grooming or tremble at the vet; they’re scared. Strange smells, slippery floors, loud tools, and hands reaching from every direction can be overwhelming. Sir Alvin isn’t fond of nail clippers (the sound), but we discovered a nail dremel is acceptable. 

How to fix it:

• Introduce the KLIMB Jr. as a calm zone before any grooming begins; just sitting or standing on it earns treats and praise.
  
• Gradually add gentle touches to paws, ears, or fur while your dog stays relaxed.
  
• Pair every handling moment with rewards to build trust (“When Mom touches my paw, good things happen”).
  
• Practice short sessions in different settings so the platform’s presence brings comfort everywhere, even the vet’s office. Take the KLIMB Jr with you to the vet’s office and associate it with all positive things. 

Why it Works: The KLIMB Jr. helps transform those fearful moments by creating a familiar, predictable space where your dog feels safe and in control. It becomes their secure “work table” for positive handling practice at home. 

Fear fades when familiarity grows. The KLIMB Jr. provides a consistent, non-threatening surface that tells your dog, “You’re safe here, and you know what happens next.” By practicing calm handling at home on their own station, you replace unpredictable, scary experiences with confidence and control.

Pro Tip: Work below your dog’s fear threshold. Stop while they’re still comfortable, not when they’ve reached their limit. Success builds trust; fear breaks it.

How Do I Tire My Dog Out Indoors?

A tired dog is a happy dog, especially if your dog is tired out from exercising and fun times with you! When the weather’s bad or your schedule’s packed, long walks aren’t always possible. That’s when boredom sets in, and boredom often turns into barking, pacing, or mischief.

How to Fix It:

• Turn short training sessions into mini workouts: practice sits, downs, spins, or paw targets on the KLIMB Jr.
  
• Mix in balance games—front paws on, back paws off—to build core strength and awareness.
  
• Scatter treats or kibble around the platform for “find-it” sniffing sessions.
  
• Keep sessions upbeat and brief, ending with a fun release cue.
  

Why it Works: The KLIMB Jr. offers a simple way to burn mental and physical energy from the comfort of your own home. Just a few minutes of focused activity on a defined platform can challenge your dog’s body and brain more effectively than a long, distracted stroll.

Pro Tip: Dogs need more than physical exercise; they crave mental challenge. The KLIMB Jr. channels their energy into productive focus. By combining movement with thinking (“What’s Mom asking me to do next?”), you create the kind of enrichment that leaves your dog satisfied, not just tired.

Bonus: Be sure to check out our list of 101 activities to do with dogs indoors.

The Secret Isn’t More Training, It’s More Structure

The majority of dogs don’t need stricter rules or louder corrections, as these tactics can actually harm the relationship with your dog. Most dogs just need structure and clear guidance from you, their human who loves them dearly.

Structure builds security. Once I gave Sir Alvin a defined “spot” to go to when kids were playing nearby or strangers were near “his yard”, his barking changed completely. Instead of sounding the alarm, he just lets out one soft boof, his polite way of saying, “I’ve got this, Mom.” He still has his unneeded barking outbursts, but they are far less frequent and don’t interfere with my work calls.

For me, this is proof that when we change the pattern, we change the behavior. The result isn’t just a quieter home; it’s a calmer, more confident dog who feels understood.

Here’s how to get a KLIMB Jr with the discount code FIDOSE20 to save 20 percent at checkout.

Where to Get the KLIMB Jr

The best place to get the KLIMB is directly from Blue-9, where I purchase products for my dogs. Use code FIDOSE20 at checkout for an additional 20 percent off. It is also available from Chewy and Amazon, which can be found linked below.

Use code FIDOSE20 at checkout for an additional 20 percent off at Blue-9’s website.