Adopting a new pet is exciting, we think of numerous scenarios of playing and looking after them with love care yet there are also a few tasks that come along with a pet that needs to be addressed at the earliest. Common dog behaviour problems like barking, digging, and chewing are all repetitive habits that many dogs do, which a pet parent or a new pet parent might face difficulty dealing with.
Not only is it about making your pet learn to undo these habits. But it is also very crucial as a pet parent to know how to deal with & approach your pet in the right manner regarding making your dog realize the problem. We’ve listed some common dog behaviours and shared a few tips and solutions to help you to deal with them.
1. Dog Urinating
It is a frustrating and bothering problem that every dog owner faces – Inappropriate elimination. It may be because of excitement, but mostly it is a behaviour of submission. If your dog is pee trained and still doing it indoors, then you must visit a vet and rule out any medical conditions and check that your pet is completely healthy.
Solution For Urinating Behaviour
When you leave the house, put it safely. When you return, do not rush straight to them, instead greet them as calmly as possible. Let it out quickly so it can relieve itself. The key to this issue is to go through the procedure rigorously. It may take some time but you both will get there.
2. Dog Aggression
An aggressive dog can be terrible if not corrected. Observe the signs they show to recognize their aggressive nature. Perhaps, they growl when you tell them off. They seem to guard their food bowl and toys or bare teeth when anyone comes near. Or maybe they bark at other dogs or pull toward them in an unfriendly manner. They show aggression toward newcomers or toward your guest. If you see these tendencies, then do not ignore rather.
Solution For Dog Aggressive Behaviour
Look out for what triggers your dog’s aggression. Determine the cause of its aggressive behaviour. It could be because of the pessimistic experience. Every time your dog behaves well, praise or give a treat to them, and develop positivity. Never limit your pet too much which may make it more aggressive. If it’s far turning major, seek help from a professional dog behaviour trainer. Please take immediate action as this may result in your dog causing a bite or injury one day.
3. Dog Chewing
Excessive chewing may be the cause of boredom, anxiety, and teething. The fact is that every dog needs to chew so you need to understand how to make them avoid ruining valuable things and divert their attention.
Solution for Chewing Behaviour
You must provide your pet with Safe Chew Toys. Do not leave your dog around the house unsupervised. Ensure all the relevant items are out of their reach. Give them some attractive, durable, and flavoured chew toys. There is plenty of variety available to satisfy your puppy’s toothy habits.
Read Also: Types of Dog Toys And How To Choose The Best
4. Dog Digging
The ultimate favorite sport for a dog who is feeling bored, angry, mischievous, and whatnot. They might not even need any reason to dig, they simply love it! But digging causes a mess for the dog owner especially if they have a beautiful garden space to maintain.
Solution for Dog Digging Behaviour
Dogs have a common tendency to dig and to deal with this, don’t shout at your dog by just saying no – it won’t help. Also, don’t chase them after they are done digging. Make sure to interrupt them while they are digging, your pet must be aware that on what you’re angry about. Get a sandbox for them or choose a place that would not damage much & encourage them to use this designated area. Encourage them to use this designated area, and stuff toys in the sand so they can enjoy the act.
5. Dog Disobedience
Not responding when being called is disturbing, you might have a major problem dealing with your pet’s disobedience. Many guests or visitors are scared of dogs and you’re chasing your dog to get on hold of them, not following through with what you said can be an extremely difficult situation and needs to be tackled effectively.
Solution for Dog Disobedience Behaviour
Always praise your dog when they come to you, whether you called or not. That will build a good habit in it. Call it using commands like “Come” or “Here.” It may not understand your expectation if you call their name only. If they do not listen to you, never chase them. Call them again whilst you move, then it might follow you. If they still do not show up, tell them to sit.
6. Dog Chasing
Chasing goes way long back to a predatory instinct. Dogs run at other animals, vehicles, and even people they find suspicious. This is a matter of concern for a pet owners as chasing might to accidents and injuries. You cannot be attentive at all times to your pet. So, how to prevent dogs from chasing unnecessarily?
Solution for Dog Chasing Behaviour
Train Your Dog to obey when being called. If you find it difficult then get a trainer for your dog. You can also use a leash while taking your dog out for a walk. It allows better control. Also, try to observe your pet’s behaviour on why exactly they are chasing or what triggers them, this will help you to understand and look out for better ways to control. Your best chance at success is to keep the chase from getting out of control. Dedicated training over the course of your dog’s life will teach him to focus his attention on you first, before running off.
7. Dog Begging For Food
A dog begging you for food is a common dog behaviour problem that many pet owners face regularly. It is an unfortunate side effect of love and pampering your dogs to an unlimited extent that you would like to give them everything that they ask for, and the more you do it, the worse this behaviour will become. Dogs know how to manipulate us.
Solution for Dog Begging Behaviour
Teach your pets that begging for food will not result in food. Never give them any food when eating at the table. Be patient and consistent. Do not reprimand your dog for begging. The attention received by you may reinforce this behaviour. It is an ongoing process. If you fail to continue the procedure, you have to start it from the beginning.
8. Dog Stealing
Are the pair of socks missing from the drawer, the newspaper not in place, or your dog taking food off your plate? To deal with this naughty behavior is simple. Do not leave things alluring out where your dog can reach them. So, they do not seek out anything else.
Solution for Dog Stealing Behaviour
Ask your pet to firmly leave it by using the command “Leave It” and if they leave do not forget to give them a reward treat. Suppose you feel that its aggression is rising; back away and go it as it is. Consider consulting a dog behaviour specialist and approach in the right manner. Another solution is that give them as many exciting toys as possible to keep them busy. This makes certain that they are occupied and won’t look for things to damage. When your dog robs, never chase them because they may take it as a game.
9. Dog Jumping
It is natural for canines to greet by leaping up. But that can be scary for guests. Turn away in case your dog jumps on you. Jumping can be dangerous and shouldn’t be neglected by assuming a common tendency of dogs. Instead, make sure to train your dog & never use objects such as sticks, knives, or anything to be aggressive for making your pet understand.
Solution for Dog Jumping Behaviour
Pay no attention until they put their paws on the ground. Tell them to sit and wait until they behave, then only you should greet and pat them. Help your dog learn to control their excitement by keeping your appreciation as low as possible. Teach them not to bother or scare unfamiliar people. Obedience training should be incorporated as soon as you bring your beloved pet home.
10. Dog Whining And Excessive Barking
A highly annoying problem. Many reasons can make your dog bark all through the day and night. No matter what you do to make it calm, it will not stop. Sometimes telling your dog off may even exacerbate the situation. You may lose your temper but yelling at it will certainly not help. That is because when you raise your voice, the dogs perceive it as a message and bark even louder in response.
Solution for Excessive Barking And Whining
Barking is a natural way of communication for dogs but it is crucial to determine the exact reason. Please give them a comfortable, safe, and secure atmosphere. Be sure it is cozy, so you can add an article of old clothing with your fragrance for extra security. Instead of getting irritated, give proper training. It is a way of controlling for this you can seek professional advice too. Another way could be considering a bark collar. Plenty of safe collars are available in the market that uses non-static stimulation.
11. Dog Biting
While dogs are teething is common for them to bite and chew things but if this habit continues and turns into an aggressive manner it can be scary. Some owners also play and tease their pets which develop a habit of biting while interacting. Dogs do not understand clear differentiation among guests, kids, and pet parents. So, it’s important to make sure they don’t become habitual of biting while playing.
Solution For Dog Biting Behaviour
Any dog that feels threatened or nervous can bite. To make pets feel relaxed around everyone, you must teach them to socialize at an early stage. Make them feel safe and secure by exposing them to different scenarios. Guide them to trust people and spend lots of time with them. Always look ahead for symptoms of uncomfortableness and then put your best efforts to make it feel better. Be specifically cautious around young children. If there is no improvement, you should see your vet or a trainer for help.
Conclusion
Dealing with dog behavioural problems is indeed a challenging task. Therefore, first understanding common dog behaviour problems are the elementary step. Solve and prevent them from experiencing such issues. Do not scare your pet or be aggressive, the right way is not by being harsh with them. They are companions requiring love and care. Handling difficult situation is important, it doesn’t mean making your pet’s life hard by being rude.
A solid foundation of obedience training will help in controlling bad habits and will promote good and positive behaviour in pets. Following these tips will surely help you bond more strongly with your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Indoor urination may be due to submission, excitement, or medical issues. Consult a vet to rule out health concerns and maintain a consistent potty-training routine.
Identify triggers for aggression, avoid negative reinforcement, and reward calm behaviour. For severe cases, seek help from a professional dog trainer.
Chewing is often caused by boredom, anxiety, or teething. Provide safe chew toys and keep valuable items out of reach. Supervise your dog and redirect their attention to acceptable items.
Dogs dig out of boredom or instinct. Designate a digging area, like a sandbox, and encourage your dog to use it by hiding toys or treats there.
Use consistent commands like “Come” or “Sit,” and always reward compliance with praise or treats. Avoid chasing the dog, as it may turn into a game.
Leash your dog during walks and train it to obey recall commands. Identify and avoid triggers. Professional training may help if the behaviour persists.
Never feed your dog from the table. Teach them that begging won’t result in food and be consistent. Distract them with toys or their own meal during your eating time.
Train them with the “Leave It” command and reward compliance. Keep tempting objects out of reach and provide engaging toys to reduce boredom.
Ignore the dog until it calms down. Teach the “Sit” command and reward calm behaviour. Begin training as early as possible to prevent this habit.
Excessive barking is often due to fear, boredom, or attention-seeking. Identify the cause, provide a secure environment, and train your dog with positive reinforcement. Bark collars can be a last resort for extreme cases.
Socialize your dog early and teach them to trust people. Avoid rough play that encourages biting. If the behaviour continues, consult a trainer or veterinarian for help.
