10 Common Dog Behavior Problems
Barking
Chewing
Digging
Separation Anxiety
Inappropriate Pee/Poop
Chasing
Begging
Jumping Up
Biting
Aggression
Solutions to the 10 Behavior Problems
Will your dog not stop barking?
Problem: Loud and Disruptive Barking
Barking is not necessarily a bad thing especially since dogs typically use it to signal the presence of a stranger. However, some dogs just bark way too much. Barking is a self-rewarding behavior, meaning once they start it feels good to them to continue.
They’ll catch a glimpse of someone’s shadow somewhat near the door and start barking loudly. Some dogs will also bark throughout your interaction with someone they don’t know.
Things can get to a point where your pet’s barking becomes disruptive. Even your neighbors may start to complain about it.
Solution
You can stop your pet from barking all the time by teaching them appropriate commands. Teach them a “leave-it” command and employ it whenever they start barking. With rewards, your dog will understand that you want them to refrain from barking and it will lessen.
Does your dog keep chewing the wrong things?
Problem: Excessive Chewing
After leaving some of your stuff on the floor for a few hours, you may come back to see them covered in bite marks. Your pet already got to them and now they’re ruined.
Pieces of furniture are also not safe from dogs that like to chew. Your expensive wooden table may quickly depreciate after your dog has its way with it.
Solution
Excessive chewing tends to be a more prevalent problem in puppies compared to adult dogs. That’s mainly because excessive chewing can be driven by teething and curiosity.
To stop your pet from chewing everything on or near the floor, try giving them some toys. You’ll be giving them something else to chew on so they don’t damage something valuable.
Give your dog opportunities to exercise its body and mind. Walks with lots of sniffing are very effective for this. By the time two of you return home, your pet will have no energy to chew on anything.
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Do you find holes in yard from your dog digging?
Problem: Messy Digging
Digging in your backyard may not be your pet’s first instinct, but they may eventually try that under the right conditions. You don’t want that to happen because it’s hard to dissuade your dog from digging once they realize how much fun it is for them.
Pretty soon, your yard may turn into a patchy mess because your dog has dug holes everywhere.
Solution
Since digging occurs when the conditions are right, your aim should be to never expose your pet to those perfect conditions. Never leave them alone in your yard for an extended period of time and don’t leave half-dug holes open because you didn’t finish your gardening.
You can also discourage your dog from digging by giving them toys. The tried and true solution of physical and mental exercise also works here.
Need help with inappropriate digging? We are here to help and we service Everett Area in following cities and zip codes: Edmonds 98026, Everett (98201, 98203, 98204, 98205, 98208), Lynnwood (98087, 98027), Mill Creek/Bothell 98012, and Mukilteo (98275)
Is dog anxious when you to leave the home?
Problem: Separation Anxiety
To this day, we don’t know why dogs experience separation anxiety. However, we have learned to recognize its symptoms better.
Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety can urinate and poop inside your home even if they’ve been potty trained. They may also display some of the undesirable habits we’ve discussed here such as excessive chewing and loud barking despite the efforts you’ve made to eliminate them.
An anxious pet may attempt to escape from their place of confinement. That can be dangerous because they could get injured while trying to get out.
Solution
Separation anxiety is something you can begin to address with a consistent low-key routine when you leave and when you return. For example, have your dog do a sit or down then reward with praise before you leave. Try to do the same thing when you get home.
If developing a routine around your departure and arrival doesn’t work, a visit to your veterinarian is your next step. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication that will help keep your pet calm.
After some time, your dog or puppy will get used to you leaving and returning and their separation anxiety will be easier to manage at the very least.
Another resource regarding this topic: https://tailoredpetservices.com/2020/separation-anxiety-signs-and-solutions/
Need help with separation anxiety? We are here to help! We service the Everett Area in following cities and zip codes: Edmonds 98026, Everett (98201, 98203, 98204, 98205, 98208), Lynnwood (98087, 98027), Mill Creek/Bothell 98012, and Mukilteo (98275)
Is dog peeing/pooping in the house?
Problem: Inappropriate Elimination inside Your Home
All pet owners understand that finding urine or poop inside the house occasionally is inevitable. The key word there is occasionally. If your pet has a habit of urinating or pooping inside your home, that’s a different matter that must be addressed through training.
Failing to address your pet’s bad bathroom habits can ruin your home. Staying in a confined space with all that waste is also not good for anyone’s health.
Solution
Diligent training is the only way to fix your pet’s inappropriate potty habits.
While they’re young, develop a routine of taking them outside so they can handle their business away from your home. Be consistent with potty times so your pet can understand where they can go when they need to.
Early on, you may also need to utilize a crate to help train your pet. Keep up the training until your dog understands that pooping and urinating inside your home is a big no-no.
Need help with peeing/pooping in house? We are here to help! We service the Everett Area in following cities and zip codes: Edmonds 98026, Everett (98201, 98203, 98204, 98205, 98208), Lynnwood (98087, 98027), Mill Creek/Bothell 98012, and Mukilteo (98275)
Does your dog chase other animals/people?
Problem: Chasing Anything Moving
Dogs love to chase things. It’s something hardwired into their DNA. According to the American Kennel Club, certain breeds including Afghan Hounds and Whippets are especially likely to chase anything in sight.
Chasing is not a form of behavior you can just permit. After all, your neighbors likely won’t appreciate being run down by your pet whenever they’re walking by. Kids in particular may be terrified by the sight of an unknown dog chasing after them.
Solution
Proper training is critical to curbing your dog’s chasing habits. Teach them to return to you immediately after you issue a specific command. Use a leash to stop your pet from chasing any random thing nearby.
It can also be helpful to engage your pet in games that involve running around after a toy, for example. Help them satisfy their desire to chase after things during playtime. Soon enough, chasing other things will be something they can resist.
Does your dog beg at the dinner table?
Problem: Constantly Begging for Food
The love affair most dogs have with food is intense. They are especially fond of whatever it is you’re eating even if they’ve never had it before.
Not long after spotting you with a plate of food, your dog may approach you and start begging. Every time you look at them, they just stare back with those big ol’ eyes and it becomes impossible to resist.
Still, you shouldn’t give in. You’re not doing your dog a favor by giving them extra treats. If anything, you could be jeopardizing their health.
Solution
The best way to stop your pet’s begging habit is to prevent it from developing in the first place. From the time your pet is a puppy, refuse to give them any food from your plate so they never learn that begging can lead to treats.
If your dog already knows how to beg, you should start having meals together. Eat at the same time to encourage them to focus on their food instead of yours.
Do you need training your dog not to beg? We are here to help! We service the Everett Area in following cities and zip codes: Edmonds 98026, Everett (98201, 98203, 98204, 98205, 98208), Lynnwood (98087, 98027), Mill Creek/Bothell 98012, and Mukilteo (98275)
Is jumping on guests your dog’s normal greeting?
Problem: Jumping Up on Everyone
Dogs often jump up on people because they’re excited to see them and want to interact. Your dog may do exactly that whenever you get home after work.
When dogs beg for food, it is often accompanied by some form of jumping. They may start hopping on your leg to let you know they want a treat.
It’s important to note that not everyone likes having a dog jump on them. You’ll have to control that behavior if you’re planning to bring guests around.
Solution
You can stop your dog from jumping by ignoring them and using a cue to get off. This helps get the message across that you don’t like their jumping habit.
Make sure everyone in your family does the same thing when your dog or puppy starts jumping. Once your dog sees that jumping is not the way to get attention, they will learn to stop doing it.
Do you need help teaching your dog not to jump on people? We are here to help! We service the Everett Area in following cities and zip codes: Edmonds 98026, Everett (98201, 98203, 98204, 98205, 98208), Lynnwood (98087, 98027), Mill Creek/Bothell 98012, and Mukilteo (98275)
Is your dog show signs of aggression like growling?
Problem: Displays of Aggression
Dogs display aggression in many ways. They may express it through growling, flashing their teeth, lunging, changing their posture, barking, and biting. Those are just the most common forms of canine aggression and there are others you may see in your particular pet.
Any dog that displays aggressive behavior should not be taken lightly. There is a chance that they will attack and someone could end up badly hurt as a result.
Solution
Unlike many of the problems included in this article, your dog’s aggression is not something you should attempt to curb on your own. You want to enlist the help of a behaviorist or a trainer so they can determine the triggers of your dog’s aggression. Once they identify the underlying cause of your dog’s aggression, they can address it more effectively.
In the meantime, make sure that your dog is always accompanied by someone and leashed whenever they’re outside. You should also consider outfitting them with a muzzle to prevent any attacks.
Do you need help with your dog’s aggression? We are here to help! We service the Everett Area in following cities and zip codes: Edmonds 98026, Everett (98201, 98203, 98204, 98205, 98208), Lynnwood (98087, 98027), Mill Creek/Bothell 98012, and Mukilteo (98275)
Does your puppy bite your fingers?
Problem: A Biting Habit
Biting is a common behavior for puppies especially. It’s something they do not just when they’re in the middle of a fight.
Some dogs can bite as part of playtime.
Sometimes, dogs will bite when they feel afraid. They may lunge at you in an attempt to keep you away.
A dog may also bite because it is in pain. If your dog has an injured leg, it may try to bite you if you bring your hand near.
Solution
To discourage your puppy from biting, you should show them that it is not okay. Training for this starts best at playtime. The moment your puppy bites you hard, let out a loud noise (yipe!) and move away from them.
Do not begin playing again until your pup settles down. Resume playtime and see if your pet bites you with force again. Continue the same steps with your pet’s forceful bites and they will learn that a ‘soft mouth’ is needed.
Do you need help training your puppy not to bite? We are here to help! We service the Everett Area in following cities and zip codes: Edmonds 98026, Everett (98201, 98203, 98204, 98205, 98208), Lynnwood (98087, 98027), Mill Creek/Bothell 98012, and Mukilteo (98275)