Having a dog is a great happiness and your pet brings a lot of joy and fulfills the handler's life with emotions, healthy and jolly time-spending with a four-legged friend. But of course, there are common dog behaviour problems, that may happen to any dog and bother you and your family members. The most common dog behaviour problems are familiar for experienced dog owners. But some may wonder, why these problems appear, what are the reasons and how to eliminate it.
This article will help you, if you are new to dog ownership, planning to get a dog, or just want to understand and manage the behaviour of your pet. Understanding the most common dog behaviour problems will help you prevent or control most of them.
1. Dog barking
Dog barking is a natural dog behaviour. But if it is excessive, too noisy and irritating, it becomes a problem.
The reasons of dog barking may be various: warning or alert, excitement, call for attention, anxiety, boredom, following other dog's barking.
Read more about excessive dog barking. Be consistent and patient. More
2. Dog chewing
Dog chewing is a natural dog behaviour, that is just a part of the way they are wired. But if your dog causes distruction and chewes inappropriate things, destroys furniture and household items, your personal things, you need to resolve the problem. First of all it is important to understand the reason of such dog behaviour: boredom, excess energy, puppy teething, anxiety, curiosity.
Encourage your pet chewing the proper things, allowed. Provide plenty of interesting, durable and safe dog toys, that will engage your dog, entertain it. Keep personal items away from the reach of your dog. Keep your dog crated when you leave home, or make sure, that the dog activity is limited by a definite area, to avoid destroy of furniture or other items at home. If you have caught a dog while chewing an item, quickly correct it with a sharp noise at once. There will be no use if you will punish a dog after the item is damaged for some time. A dog will not understand the reason and your lesson if it is done after some time after his misbehave. More
3. Digging
It is natural for most dogs to do some amount of digging, as it is a part of their instincts, especially it touches upon Terriers. It is more common dog behaviour of hunting dogs or dogs with hunting roots. Usually, dog may dig for the following reasons: boredom or excess energy, fear or anxiety, instinct of hunting, comfort-seeking (nesting, warming up, colling off), hiding bones, toys, to escape or get something.
Digging may be rather frustrating if it becomes regular and spoils your yard. Try to analyze the reson of dog digging and then you will find the way out of the problem. Most common and effective means to manage this dog behaviour is to spend more time with your doggy, do more exercise and training, give space and toys for play. If your dog does not want to stop this habit any way, set an allowed area for digging, like a sand box where your dog will dig whenever and as much as he wants. More
The one of the most common dog behaviour problems is the separation anxiety. It is commonly discussed among dog owners. Your dog is very attached to you. It is big stress for a dog to see you leaving him alone. The stress of dog being left home alone frequently is considered to be a reason of dog vocalization, chewing, inappropriate urination and defecation and other forms of destruction. But not all of the listed problems are caused by separation anxiety.
True separation signs include:
When owners prepares to leave, a dog shows anxiety signs.
The distructive actions occur within the first 15-45 minutes after the owners leaving.
Dog is trying to follow the owner everywhere and all the time.
Dog is trying to be as close as possible to the owner and to be touching to owner.
If there is a true separation anxiety, it requires dedicated training, exercises and professional approach. In extreme cases even medication may be recommended (but only as a last resort). More information how to deal with separation anxiety in dogs.
5. Inappropriate urination and defecation
This dog behaviour is rather frustrating. Inappropriate dog urination and defecation can damage places at home, cause bad smell, and make your dog unwelcome in guests and other places. This inappropriate dog behaviour is often caused by health problems. In this case, first of all, you should consult a veterinarian. If the health of your dog is not determined to be a reason of the dog behaviour, the following causes may take place: terrritaorial marking, submissive/excitement urination, anxiety, attention-seeking. Inappropriate elimination is a common situation in puppies before 12 weeks of age. But if it happens with adult dog, it requires serious dog behaviour correction.
Read here about puppy toilet training.
6. Begging
Unfortunately, many dog owners cause the problem, that begging becomes a dog habit and a part of its daily behaviour. It is thoughtless to encourage dog begging. Of course, you pamper your pet and like its attention. Sometimes you wish to share treats from your table with a dog, looking into your eyes with its kind begging expression... But we should think where it may lead. Begging and inappropriate, unstable feeding ratio may lead to dog digestive problem and dog obesity. Dog owner should remember and separate dog food and table food. It should be done for dog health, if you care of your pet and wish it to stay happy and healthy. Yes, of course, it is not easy to resist that longing look. But if giving in "just this once" may create a serious and long-lasting problem. Turn your attention, that in a pack it is never permitted to beg food from a pack leader. If you permit your dog to beg from you, you set your role as a pack leader. To manage dog begging habit, leave your dog on a distance or in another room, where he will be not able to stare at you and beg food. If dog behaviour is satisfying, give a treat only after you and the family are finished eating.
Read more about dog feeding and harmful food.
7. Chasing
It is a natural way to display of dog predatory instinct. But chasing dogs, animals, cars, passers-by can cause dangerous and devastating results. To prevent disaster, you may do the following.
Keep your dog on a lead.
Train a dog to come always when called.
Keep a whistle or any noise-maker in your hand to turn dog's attention from chasing.
Be aware to notice potential triggers, like public places, joggers and bikers etc.
8. Jumping up
Dogs are jumping up to turn attention and greet people. Sometimes this way a dog tries to show its dominance. But dog jumping may become annoying or even dangerous. The most frequent reason of dog jumping up is attention-seeking. Effective means to stop a dog jumping up is ignorance and turning off. There should be no eye contact, no voice, no gestures or touches. Read more about dog jumping up here. More
9. Dog biting
Dog biting is natural way for puppies to explore the environment. But why do adult dogs bite? The following reasons may occur: fear or defensiveness, protection of property, territory, pain or illness, sign of dominance, predatory instinct. More
Any dog owner should remember, that any dog, independently on dog breed and history, may become aggressive. The reasons for dog aggression are the same as for dog biting. First of all, if you admit dog aggression signs, consult a vet and then get a qualified dog trainer's help and advice. Each case is individual and needs serious approach to secure your pet and the others. More