The reasons for the most common behavioral problems in dogs may classify into three groups. Dogs behave mischievously when they have some health issue, when they feel negative emotions, or because they were not properly trained. According to experts, more than 90 percent of dogs that end up in shelters for naughty behavior is not well trained or is not trained at all. Veterinarians from Eastshore Vet, the best animal hospital in Madison, address the 6 most common behavioral problems in dogs.
Your Dog Barks Too Much
When your dog is barking, he actually does what he best knows. It is his job to warn you when someone rings your doorbell. When that happens, praise your dog and direct him into his bed. By redirecting his behavior and giving him the safe place to calm down, you will stop feeding inappropriate behavior. At the same time, your dog will learn that he can get a break once he has successfully accomplished a task.
He Chews on Things
Puppies frequently chew on things because of teething. Even though chewing is normal behavior for their developmental phase, don’t encourage it. Provide your dog with a lot of toys. When an older dog starts misbehaving all of a sudden, consider the changes in your home that may affect his behavior. Pay attention to changes in your schedule, when a new member of a family moves in, or when a new pet comes into your home.
Fido Tends to Jump Excessively
Even though jumping may look charming to you, it can put another person at risk, especially kids and older persons. Teach your dog proper greeting and reward him when he does it successfully.
Your Dog Is Continuously Begging for Foo
This behavior is really annoying. It is easier not to feed your dog the first time when he begged for food than trying to correct the bad habit. If you’ve already fallen a victim to the puppy-dog eyes and give him food from your table because of begging, try to ignore him. It will be hard at the beginning, but it will pay off in the end.
He Pulls on the Leash
When you allow your dog to pull on the leash, you most likely forget to set strong boundaries. Your dog needs strong boundaries to feel safe and to learn what behavior is allowed. Next time, when you take your dog for a walk, start introducing boundaries and let your dog know that pulling on the leash is not okay.
Your Dog Eliminates in the Wrong Places
Separation anxiety is the most common reason for this behavior. Record how your dog spends his time when you are out of home and act on it. If he gets really lonely, hire a pet sitter to spend some time with your dog.