Our beloved furry friends offer us companionship, protect our homes and play with us when we are bored. However, there are a couple of behaviors that make dogs insufferable. As a dog owner, it is vital to take the time to understand why your dog does the things it does. You should also be on the watch out for common behavior issues. Well, here are some of the typical dog behavior issues and how to deal with them.
Digging
Dogs can’t help but dig a hole any chance they get. Your dog might dig because they are anxious, have too much energy or are trying to access a hidden area, or just seeking comfort. Remember that some dog breeds, like the terrier, have stronger hunting instincts, making them more likely to dig. The best way to deal with digging would be to determine the root cause of the issue and deal with it appropriately. For instance, if they have too much energy, you could incorporate more exercise into their routine.
Chasing
One of a dog’s most basic predatory instincts is to chase after moving things such as cars, people or small animals. It would be very devastating if your dog chased after an innocent passerby or a small child. Unfortunately, it is not possible to eliminate this behavior in dogs. However, you can use a leash to confine your dog, train them to only come to you when you call, and use a whistle to capture their attention.
Chewing
Annoying as it is, chewing is hard-wired into your dog’s psyche. However, if you don’t deal with this issue promptly, your dog might ruin your most expensive shoes and shred your pillows. Anxiety, curiosity and excessive energy are major culprits that cause your dog to chew on your belongings.
It is also not uncommon for puppies to chew when they are teething. The best way forward would be to encourage your dog to chew on the right things, like toys or treats like bully sticks. Find out more on what is a bully stick and how it can help you give your dog the right chewing treats.
Incontinence
Taking care of a dog that urinates and defecates inappropriately around the house or in public is pretty frustrating. In addition to the damage to your home, you might also be hesitant to visit public places or other people’s homes. A lack of proper housebreaking, anxiety, excitement, urination, and a need to mark their territory could cause them to engage in this inappropriate behavior. It would be best to consider serious behavior modification to correct incontinence, especially if your dog is older than 12 weeks.
Biting
Besides typical puppy behavior, a dog will bite out of fear, defensiveness, sheer predatory instinct, or to protect their possession. You may come across dogs like this when you are out with your own dog, unfortunately, there is a chance that they could lunge and bite you which may require a hospital visit and a conversation with dog bite lawyers to see what your next steps are. But you don’t have to be the one on the other end of this waiting to be summoned to court because you didn’t train your dog well enough. An excellent solution to this predicament would be to sign them up for proper training and socialize them with other dogs. With time, they will learn it is wrong to bite other people and animals. It would also be wise to consider breeding practices to reduce biting tendencies.
Final thoughts
Some of the behaviors are primarily rooted in your dog’s instincts. Dogs can also start acting up when they feel anxious or afraid. Fortunately, rigorous obedience training sessions at the onset of your relationship with your dog can eliminate these issues and make pet ownership a breeze.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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