Whether your dog is acting up or you have recently adopted a new pup, dealing with behavioral problems in dogs can be overwhelming and frustrating, especially if you don’t know what to do. Like children, dogs love to seek attention, negative or positive. When it comes to managing behavioral problems in dogs, consistency is key. Therefore, before you jump to conclusions and act on your instincts to control your dog, make a pact with your family to ensure that everyone uses the same approach to deal with an aggressive, angry, and ill-mannered pup. The secret here is to thoroughly understand the cause of the behavior issue and handle the situation accordingly. Keep reading to learn about behavioral problems in dogs and how to address them.

1. Destructive Chewing

Dogs and puppies love to chew on different objects. While a young dog will use chewing to relieve pain caused by an incoming tooth, an older dog will chew and bite on random things to clean their teeth and keep their jaws strong. Other causes of excessive chewing include boredom, excess energy, anxiety, and curiosity.

You can simply deal with this problem by giving your dog plenty of toys to chew on, such as inedible chew bones, pig skin rolls, and bully sticks. To make sure that your dog doesn’t chew on inappropriate items, spray them with chewing deterrents so that even if your dog tries, it will spit out the object because of the strange taste and odor. You must also teach your dog the “Leave it” command and give the pup lots of exercises to focus on the right things.

2. Barking

Dogs use barking, howling, and whining to communicate with one another and humans. Excessive barking is one of the most common behavioral problems in dogs. In most cases, a pup might bark, howl, or whine if they have anxiety, are bored, want to seek your attention, talk to other animals, are excited, or give you a warning. Because every bark serves a distinct function, it is important to find out what your dog is trying to tell you before you act.

Once you know the case, eliminating it will fix the problem. However, if it doesn’t, you must teach your dog how to act in certain situations. “Quiet training” is a popular technique used by owners to tame their dogs. For example, if your dog likes to bard at new faces, allow it to bark 3 to 4 times and then say “ssh” or “quiet” and reward the good behavior with the treat. Instead of shouting at your dog, give the command calmly and clearly. In case your dog is barking to get attention, do not respond until it stops.

3. Digging

Digging isn’t only a behavioral issue in pups but a natural instinct. Therefore, it is not always easy to fix. Even though certain dog breeds, such as terriers, love to dig because of their hunting history, other dogs dig to overcome boredom, fear, and anxiety, seek comfort, escape, or hide a valuable possession.

The first step to stop your dog from digging into inappropriate places this issue is to figure out the cause of the problem. Now if your dog is digging due to boredom, give it some exercises or toys to play with. On the other hand, if the hunting instinct is the reason behind the digging problem, find the prey and deal with it.

dogs

4. Inappropriate Elimination

Inappropriate defecation and urination are the most frustrating behavioral problems in dogs. They don’t only make your home unhygienic but also make your dog unwelcome in other homes and public places. In the majority of cases, an underlying health complication can be a cause of this issue. Thus, it is important to discuss the case with your vet first. If your dog is medically fit, try to determine the reason for this behavior. Common causes of this behavioral change include anxiety, territorial marking, submissive urination, and lack of proper housebreaking.

Training or retraining your dog is the only way to fix the problem. You must ensure your dog understands that it cannot relieve itself wherever it wants. During the potty training period, you can use dog diapers to limit the damage.

5. Aggression

Dogs exhibit aggression by showing teeth, snarling, biting, lunging, and growling. When adopting a dog, it is important to know if the furry animal shows aggression regardless of its history or breed. For example, a dog with a violent history is more likely to be aggressive toward people and dogs than one brought up in a loving household.

If you are unable to control your dog, it is advised to hire a trainer who can help you tame the aggressive pet. Furthermore, tell your dog they aren’t in control, set limits on how cranky they can get, and use ignorance and positive gestures to deal with the aggression.

Quick Tips to Deal with Behavioral Problems in Dogs

Are you dealing with an ill-mannered dog? Here are some tips for dealing with behavioral problems in dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes:

  • Don’t respond to your attention-seeking dog’s howling, barking, and whining.
  • Make sure that your canine friend gets enough mental and physical exercise every day.
  • Monitor your dog whenever you go to new places to ensure it doesn’t eliminate inappropriately.
  • Reward your dog for good behavior.
  • “Sit train” your dog so that you can control them in case your pup tries to pull on the leash, jump on people, or mount.
  • Dog-proof your house. This will prevent your four-legged friend from learning bad behaviors.
  • Ensure that your spouse or kids don’t feed the dog during dinner.
  • Try to remain calm when your dog acts out.

Are You Searching for Dog Boarding Near Indiana Wells?

No matter what breed your canine family member is, you are bound to run into some kind of behavioral problems in dogs. While some of these are normal dog habits, others are learned through negative and positive encouragement by pet owners, other people, and dogs. Thus, you are responsible for ensuring that everyone around your dog is on their best behavior, especially in the early years of pet ownership.

So, if you are planning a trip with your friends and cannot leave your dog alone at home, there is no better place for your pup to relax like royalty than The Grand Paw. Our state-of-the-art facility is designed to make your pup feel welcome, happy, cared for, and safe. During their stay, our pet-care-certified staff will ensure that your dog is groomed and taken care of in the best way possible. Contact us to learn more about pet care Indian Wells.