Dogs are often misunderstood. Their needs are different from those of humans yet we attribute many of our habits to them. This can lead to dog behavioral problems. Here are a few of the more common “dog behaving badly” situations and how you can deal with them.
Have you ever heard someone remark that they don’t know what has gotten into their dog? The behavior comes as a surprise to them. But, dogs don’t usually do things without a reason. When they act out, something is wrong.
Here is an interesting fact: Dogs are not people. When we treat them as such, that is when trouble begins. Dogs are social animals and are happiest when they have company, whether that be of dogs or other humans. But the rules of their social interactions are very different to those of humans.
Dogs need clear, consistent communication and guidance. They thrive in structured, predictable environments with kind, confident leadership and positive reinforcement, which helps them feel secure and well-adjusted.
With that said, there are only a few reasons why dogs exhibit behavioral issues:
- Lack of confident leadership by their owner
- Confusion with commands given by owner
- Lack of proper and positive training
The 4 Common Dog Behavioral Problems
You may have already experienced some of these. If not, consider yourself lucky and keep reading to learn how to continue to avoid them.
1. Digging
Dogs love to dig to bury bones or to discover already buried treasure. Though it can harm your lawn, a harsh “no” isn’t always effective and could worsen anxiety. A better approach is to redirect digging by creating a designated area, like a sandbox. Encourage its use with positive reinforcement, buried toys, or treats, whilst simultaneously placing a physical barrier or deterrent in the areas where digging is not appreciated.
2. Chewing
Dogs like to chew. It can help them to relieve stress. But, chewing on your furniture is less than appealing. For your dog, eating decorations, yarn, socks and other small items can cause them to choke and become seriously ill. Provide your dog with plenty of chew toys to redirect the behavior and whenever possible, keep your property out of reach.
3. Poor Response
If your dog isn’t coming when called, it’s often due to confusion, distraction, or a lack of consistent training, not stubbornness. It’s best to use a clear, cheerful recall cue and avoid repeating it multiple times. Never scold your dog for coming late, as it discourages future responses. Instead of going to your dog, try moving away enthusiastically or even running in the opposite direction to trigger their chase instinct and make coming to you more rewarding.
4. Begging
It’s not polite to beg at the table. A good way to discourage this is to refuse to feed your dog table scraps. Don’t allow others to feed him from the table either. This will only encourage more begging. Instead, teach the dog to stay in a designated area of the kitchen, a rug or dog bed can do the trick. Remember to reinforce them for staying there once everyone finishes their food.
Conclusion
As you can see, the root of many common dog behavioral problems is the misunderstanding of their natural instincts and needs. Rather than treating these behaviors as disobedience and scolding your dog (which they won’t understand anyway), it’s important to address the root causes through proper training, clear communication, and alternative behavioral redirections. A veterinary televet service like our own PangoVet can put you in touch with a veterinarian from the comfort of your home, so they can help you identify the problems and help you find solutions.
Patience and consistency are key and you need to make sure that everyone in the household is on the same page and giving the dog the same instruction so as to not confuse them. By understanding why dogs act the way they do and providing the right guidance, you will be able to stop these unwanted behaviors and keep your dog happy, healthy, and out of trouble!
Featured Image Credit: freestocks-photos, Pixabay
