Common Dog Behavioral Problems

People who have been handling dogs for long are probably aware of some dog behavioral problems. There can be lots of reasons for these, and one of them would be miscommunication. Let us understand the common dog behavioral problems and see how we can solve them.

1. Barking

Of course all dogs bark. It is the dog's own language. But at some point, they bark too much which can be annoying. Before you can prevent them from barking too much, you need to find out the reason why they are barking. Usually, they just want to tell you something. Some of the reasons would be:

- warning or alert

- excitement/playfulness

- seeking attention

- boredom

- anxiety

2. Chewing

Most dogs chew a lot especially in their puppy months. If they are still young, they need to exercise their jaws in order for them to chew on hard foods later. But most of the time, this can cause destruction to our homes. They may chew the carpet, the couch and anything they can get. To avoid this, you can try giving your pet some toys that he can chew on. A durable rubber ball will be perfect so that he won't destroy it immediately.

3. Digging

Dogs came from hunting ancestors. Early dogs stay in the woods to hunt for their food. That is why even the modern dogs do a lot of digging. They usually dig when they get bored or want to cool down from the hot weather. This can be very frustrating if you have a yard. To avoid this, all you have to do is spend more time with your pet. Give him a walk outside so he can have some exercise.

4. Separation Anxiety

This is one of the most common dog behavioral problems encountered by owners. They usually notice this when they try to leave the dog at home. The dog will start having an anxiety knowing that he will be abandoned. You can train your dog properly to avoid this kind of problem. Make him feel that you are coming back for him after.

5. Chasing

Dogs have a chasing instinct because they are born carnivores. They can sometimes chase after people, cars or even other animals. If your dog happens to chase a lot, you better keep him tied on his leash. You might also want to take him for some walks in the park. That will teach the dog how to socialize with others so that he will stop chasing.

6. Biting

Again, just like the way they chew, dogs also have a habit of biting. This may be due to their inborn instinct, fear, pain or just being bored. You can train your pet to stop biting by giving him a toy. Enrolling the dog for obedience training will also prevent him from this common dog behavioral problem.

All these common dog behavioral problems can be prevented through proper training. Obedience training is a very helpful method for your dog to know his manners. You also need to know how you can effectively communicate with them so that you will understand why they develop their behavioral problems.