As babies cannot communicate what they need, they cry to get attention. Similarly, dogs cannot communicate with us and try to get attention by exhibiting behavioral problems. However, many pet owners often misunderstand or mismanage these dog behavior problems.
Whether you are a new pet parent or an experienced one, the key to handle the challenge is thoroughly understanding the common dog behavior issues. It’s the first step towards resolving and preventing them.
This blog will help you understand some of the common dog behavior problems and guide you with dog training tips to become a better pet parent. Here are 10 Common Dog Behavior Problems and Dog Training Tips to Manage:
Barking
Dogs vocalize themselves with barking, howling, or whining sounds. You must understand the difference in barks before correcting the common dog behavior problem.
Types of Barks
| Playful | High-pitched bark with friendly body language |
| Territorial | Repetitive barks with increased intensity mixed with howls |
| Alarm | One or two sharp sequential barks |
| Excitement | High-pitched, repetitive barks with short pauses |
| Fearful | High-pitched, repetitive barks with aggressive posture and pulled-back lips |
Whenever the barking gets excessive, it becomes a problem. The reasons are
- Attention-seeking
- Anxiety
- Boredom
- In response to other dogs
Be patient and address the cause of the excessive barking by paying attention to detail. Teach your dog the bark/quiet commands during dog training.
Chewing
Dogs are wired to chew things; it’s their natural action. But excessive chewing can become part of destructive dog behavior problems. The common reasons are;
- teething
- boredom
- excess energy
- anxiety issues
- and curiosity (mostly puppies)
Get your home puppy-proofed to safeguard your personal items. Take your dog for regular walks and exercise. Train your dog for crates when you are not at home and provide them plenty of chew toys to distract them from chewing your stuff. Also, don’t forget to replace the chew toys routinely.
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Digging
It’s another common dog behavior that filters from their hunting histories. Certain dog breeds, like terriers, have a stronger habit of doing it. The common reasons are;
- boredom
- excess energy
- anxiety
- fear
- hunting instinct
- nesting or cooling off habit in the dug-up pit
- desire to hide their stuff like bones or toys
- attempt to escape or gain access to a place
Observe your dog and find out the exact reason. Work on eliminating the source and spend quality time together with it. Make your dog exercise and train extra to spend its excess energy. If the habit still exists, get it a sandbox to dig freely. Train and let it know you accept its digging behavior only in the sandbox.
Separation Anxiety
It’s among the most commonly discussed dog behavior problems, occurring when the dog gets separated from its owners. They manifest it through vocalizing, chewing, inappropriate urination and defecation, and other forms of in-house destruction in your absence. They can also have anxious behavior or follow you around always.
Train your dog with desensitization exercises. You can also leave your old clothes to help them sniff your scent and enable them to deal with separation anxiety. A owner of a Doggy Day Care Melbourne states they often see cases of separation anxiety and in extreme cases, you might need dedicated training, behavior modification techniques, and medications to manage it.
Aggression
Dogs show aggression through growling, snarling, showing teeth, lunging, and biting. Remember, all dog breeds have the potential to be aggressive. But dogs with violent or abusive histories tend to show aggression more.
Types of Aggression
- Territorial
- Protective
- Possessive
- Fear
- Defensive
- Frustration – Elicited
- Pain-related
- Sex-related
- Predatory
Figure out the reason for your dog’s aggression. Consult a vet if it’s health-related. Engage in behavior-modification techniques through an experienced dog trainer or dog behaviorist.
Inappropriate Elimination
It’s a common dog behavior issue that can damage the spaces of your home and make your dog unwelcome in public stretches. Consult your vet if it’s an issue with an aged dog. It can be a sign of some health problems. Reasons for the behavioral issue are
- Submissive/excitement urination
- Territorial marking
- Anxiety
- Lack of proper housetraining
Such dog behavior problems in puppies below 12-weeks are unavoidable. But for dogs older than it, you need to housetrain it correctly. If needed, involve in behavior modification training to get rid of the habit.
Begging
It’s always hard to resist that longing look – the puppy eyes. But, some types of human foods and tablescapes can cause health problems in dogs. Dogs beg because they love food, but as a pet parent, avoid encouraging it.
Train your dog to go to its space when you eat. If necessary, confine it to another room with toys. If it behaves, give treats but only after you and your family have finished eating.
Chasing
It’s a common dog behavior that displays its predatory instincts. Many dogs chase cars, people, or animals due to their desire to run after moving things. But it can lead to dangerous and devastating situations sometimes.
The best way is to train your dog to come when called. You cannot stop your dog once it begins to chase. Use a dog whistle and a leash at all times to curb the behavior. Understand the potential triggers and teach your dog to focus its attention on you before running off.
Jumping Up
Puppies jump when they see their mommies, but dogs jump when they are excited or seeking an item in your hand. If they jump while greeting other people, it can be annoying and dangerous. You can stop its jump by lifting a knee, grabbing the paws, or pushing the dog away, but it might send a wrong message.
The jumping behavior of a dog exhibits its attention-seeking need. If you show any acknowledgment, it can consider it as acceptable behavior. Therefore, the best way to train them is to ignore when they jump. If needed, walk away and avoid eye contact or patting your dog. When the dog relaxes, reward it, and soon it’ll get the message.
Biting
Biting, nipping, or mouthing are common dog behavior problems that can become a grave issue if neglected. It’s cute when your 7-weeks puppy puts your toes or fingers in its mouth, but it’s dangerous when big dogs do it. The reasons for biting are
- Fear
- Defensiveness
- Protection of property
- Pain or sickness
- Predatory instinct
A dog bites only when a situation warrants it in its mind. Mainly, mother dogs teach puppies not to bite hard. But as a pet parent, you have to do it through bite inhibition training and socialization. Give a chew toy if it tries to gnaw on fingers or toes. Encourage non-contact forms of play, like fetch, tug-of-war, etc., and teach your dog impulse control with exercises like sit, wait, and leave it.
Conclusion
You can manage the common dog behavior problems with a firm foundation of obedience training. It helps you prevent or control these behavioral issues. But, before curbing the behavior of your dog, get it checked for health issues. If you have any questions about dog behavior problems, post them in the comment section below.
