If you are seeing behavioral problems in your dog it is often because dog is not getting the sense of predictability and structure it both wants and needs. Unpredictability is frightening. Not knowing where you stand in a family is uncomfortable. Dogs react to these situations either by trying to create the structure and control they crave (taking control of the family) or act out their distress through displacement (digging, barking, chewing, destruction and self mutilation are common examples).

Many behavior problems are based on physical problems. Anytime there is a sudden unexpected change in behavior the first step is to discuss the problem with your vet. It is simply counter productive to get angry or annoyed at dog reacting to a physical problem. For example, when one dog became destructive by digging (into his owner's bed, the rugs etc.) it turned out to be a symptom of dangerously low levels of blood calcium. The low levels gave him a tingly sensation which he was trying to relieve by the digging. It wasn't a symptom the vet knew to put together with that particular problem. But pain, blood chemistry, and infections can all influence sensation and behavior. A blood chemistry panel revealed a problem and subsequent experience showed the correlation. Aggression problems, for example, often have their root in eyesight or thyroid problems. Inappropriate urination or defecation often has its root in pain (they don't want to go down the stairs to outside, or get up in time go outside, etc), loss of sensation (they don't recognize they need to go until they get too much pressure to wait) and infection or other irriation (most often the cause when the dog can wait through the night but does the behaivor when excited or anxious, e.g. being left home alone). Physical problems aren't always to blame, but they should always be ruled out first.

There are a lot of different training techniques available. It is worth taking some time to explore the different styles and philosophies to find one that you are comfortable with and will use.  Whatever techniques you choose to train your dog, it is important to be consistent and patient to achieve the best results for a well-trained and well behaved dog.