Being a dog owner can improve the quality of your life. Having a pet around can encourage you to spend more time outdoors and become more social.
Dogs may also improve your immune system and heart health, as well as decrease your susceptibility to allergies and chronic diseases.
However, it’ll be challenging for you to enjoy the wonders of dog ownership if your pet often displays common behavioral problems, such as excessive barking and chewing, among many others.
When left unaddressed, these behavioral problems can become the reason why your canine will become aggressive or fear being surrounded by people and other pets.
If you’re having problems dealing with your dog’s behavioral problems, let this article help.
Behavioral Problem #1: Aggression
Aggression in dogs can be seen as a persistent, unreasonable, and unwanted barking, as well as aggression toward humans and other dogs.
Contrary to popular belief, aggression isn’t always characterized by them biting someone or another animal.
Sometimes, this behavioral problem comes with more subtle signs, such as your dog growling when you touch their collar, or when your dog doesn’t greet other dogs nicely.
In some cases, aggression can be a symptom of underlying problems, such as brain tumors and hip dysplasia in dogs.
Regardless, it’s very important to correct aggression in dogs to ensure that they remain social pets.
Your dog won’t be able to mingle with other people or pets if they’re always aggressive towards them.
The Solution:
The first step to learning how to solve aggression in dogs is to understand why the dog is starting to become aggressive.
This is especially important if your dog just recently showed signs of aggression.
As a pet owner, you need to understand the reason why your dog is being aggressive, and, then, begin looking at the behavior patterns that are causing the canine to act out of control.
Avoid letting your dog becoming exposed to the root cause of the problem to prevent them from being aggressive.
You can also manage your dog’s aggression through positive reinforcement. When your dog behaves properly, especially when they’re around pets and people, praise them and give them treats.
You can also reward their positive behavior by giving them belly rubs or patting their heads. Your dog will be encouraged to behave properly if they’re rewarded for their efforts.
Behavioral Problem #2: Excessive Barking
It’s common for dogs to bark as this is their way of communicating with other animals or alerting their owners of potential dangers.
However, when your dog barks for no reason or all the time, that’s another story.
Excessive barking can create panic and cause the people around you to fear your dog.
Excessive barking can also prevent your dog from becoming social and spending time outdoors.
It’ll be challenging for you to take your dog for walks if they’re always barking.
The Solution:
There are many ways you can correct your dog’s excessive barking, and you can start by covering your windows at home.
Often, dogs bark excessively because they see something or someone unfamiliar.
Some dogs will stop barking when you cover your windows as they won’t be able to see anything that they could bark at.
Aside from covering your windows, you can also manage your dog’s excessive barking by teaching them how to stay quiet.
As a pet owner, you should teach your dog when to stay quiet and give them treats whenever they follow your orders.
Training your dog will require time, but its rewards will surely make it worth it in the end.
Behavioral Problem #3: Chewing
Chewing on objects is one of the most common dog behavior issues pet owners experience. Dogs are pack animals and chewing is their way of bonding with their family.
However, when your dog starts to chew on your valuables, you need to intervene as this can cause stress in the household.
Seeing your dog chew on your favorite pairs of shoes can even increase the likelihood of you inflicting pain on them.
The Solution:
Excessive chewing is a common behavioral problem in dogs and there are many ways you can deal with this problem.
One of the easiest and most effective solutions to prevent your dog from chewing on things they aren’t supposed to is to provide chew toys for them.
These toys come in a wide variety of types today, so make sure to buy ones that are made from safe and natural materials.
Behavioral Problem #4: Peeing Indoors
Just like human beings, your dog also needs to pee. Aside from health reasons, dogs also pee to mark their territories or as a way to greet someone.
Although normal, you should pay attention as to where your dog pees.
Seeing your dog pee inside your home is a cause for concern as this can become the reason why your home will stink and turn into a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
The Solution:
There are many ways you can correct your dog’s behavior of peeing indoors, and you can start by retraining them.
If your dog is house-trained (learn more), and has recently started peeing inside your home, it might be best if you revisit the training and refresh their mind of the necessary steps to follow.
If you’ve trained your dog well in the past, you won’t have any problems reminding them again on why they shouldn’t pee indoors.
Increasing potty breaks can also help your dog curb their behavioral problem of peeing indoors. After eating or drinking, take them for walks outside to let them pee.
You should also do the same after your dog wakes up from slumber. Make sure to reward your dog after they’ve peed in the appropriate place.
Beginnings Are Tough
Dealing with common dog behaviors is challenging, but this is a responsibility that every pet owner should commit to.
You won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of dog ownership or ensure that your dog will remain healthy and happy if you don’t correct any of their behavioral problems.
Once you’ve identified that your dog is showing signs of behavioral problems, use the information on this article to help you determine your next steps.
You won’t have any problems dealing with your dog’s behavioral problems if you know where and how to start.
