Dogs that have been domesticated now are far more adept at acting how humans would like them to than they were 10,000 years ago. Even so, many of a dog’s innate actions can be problematic for pet owners since they can be either inconvenient or harmful. The following list of the top 5 dog behaviour issues that owners frequently encounter includes solutions (with demonstration videos).
- Excessive energy and disobedience
The majority of the time, a dog’s excessive energy, unruliness, and hyperactivity are symptoms of boredom or a lack of stimulation, exercise, or fun. Dogs vary in their degrees of activity depending on their breed, size, age, and upbringing. Some energetic breeds feel the need to exercise constantly or combat boredom no matter where they are or what they are doing.
How to solve it:
Every dog is unique, thus pet owners must try a variety of approaches to discover the optimal answer in order to correct this very typical dog behaviour issue:
Don’t fall for the dog’s tricks. Avoid supporting your pet’s unexpected energy outbursts and ignore them entirely for a while until they realise they won’t get what they want if this behaviour is not something you are comfortable with.
Make sure you get enough exercise. Be mindful of the breed-specific exercise needs of your dog. Make sure your dog exercises often, goes for walks, runs, and plays so they may burn off any excess energy they may have throughout the day.
Clicker instruction. For many other canine behavioural issues, this is one of the most successful training approaches. Despite the fact that hyperactive dogs don’t always respond well to this method, employing a clicker might help you calm the dog whenever they exhibit certain behaviours.\
- Theft of Items
The most frequent issue with canine behaviour is certainly this one. Generally speaking, our canine friends will take anything that piques their attention and is within their grasp. Even while it is an understandable animal behaviour in general, this isn’t that big of a deal. It’s difficult to stop all dogs from “stealing,” so when you’re getting ready to adopt a dog, think about the items they could reach for when you’re not home and dog-proof your house.
How to solve it:
Consider the items that your dog will reach out for while you’re not home when you’re just getting ready to introduce them into your house, especially if they’re small puppies. Utilize redirection to draw the dog’s attention away from prohibited objects and towards your person. Put down lots of dog toys for your dog to chew on, or anything else that won’t hurt the dog that you don’t mind getting dog saliva all over. Replace the “bad” things with the “good” things.
- Uneven Play
Dogs like playing with other dogs and humans alike, but occasionally this play may get out of hand very fast and turn into something that might harm you, other animals, or your children. In most circumstances, rough play amongst dogs is OK, but you must stop it right away if you feel your dog is out of control around other people or animals. Additionally, if the two dogs are fighting, it’s crucial to tell the difference between a play and “nearly a fight” and proceed with caution.
How to solve it:
When your dog starts to play rough with you, get up right away and step out of the dog’s realm of influence. Stop engaging with the dog; refrain from making noises, pacing, or responding to the animal’s antics. Keep your arms tight to your body until you totally freeze. Your pet will quickly become aware that the game is done. This needs to be done as soon as rough play begins, maybe with the instruction “No!”
The rough play that your dog engages in with other pets in your home, such as a cat, is another aspect of these most prevalent dog behaviour issues. If you see this, calmly and without hesitating halt the play between the two and block your dog from the other animal/play while avoiding interacting with or entertaining him. Your pet now needs a vacation from socialisation, therefore it’s a good idea to break off any contact for a bit.
- Recurrent biting
Dogs’ tendency to bite humans can be caused by a variety of factors. Dog specialists concur that this is mostly because of dogs’ innate need to live in groups. On the other hand, puppies bite anything and everyone to explore the world, comprehend their surroundings, and discover their own habitat. However, this canine behaviour should be avoided wherever possible, especially in puppies, as it is likely to worsen as the dog becomes bigger.
How to solve it:
Dog biting is caused by the fact that dogs still use their mouths the same way humans do, but this can be fixed with frequent, effective training and socialising. The best way to solve this issue is to spend time with your pet and allow them to interact with other animals and people. Introduce your dog to new situations, locations, and objects, and anytime you see your dog being uneasy, don’t ignore it—try to change the situation. In essence, this is a habit that can be broken with some effort and frequent supervision.
- Picky Eater
There could be a number of reasons why your dog is being a picky eater. Maybe they’re not getting enough food, or the food you’re giving them isn’t appealing to them. It could also be a medical issue. If your dog is suddenly refusing to eat, it’s best to take them to the vet to rule out any health problems.
How to solve it:
If your dog is a picky eater, there are a few things you can do to get them to eat. First, try changing up their food. If they usually eat dry food, try wet food, or vice versa. You can also try adding some wet food to their dry food, or mixing in some chicken broth. If your dog is still not eating, they may be sick and you should take them to the vet.
