5 Main Behavioral Problems Of Pet Dogs

Experienced owners of dogs would tell you the 5 main behavioral problems of dogs are barking, biting, chewing, digging, and chasing. Knowing all about these behavioral problems of dogs and how to prevent or solve them would make having a pet a happy experience.

The 5 main behavioral problems of pet dogs are:

1) Barking excessively is the first behavioral problem of a dog; correcting the behavioral problem of barking is best done when you figure out why the dog actually barks. Barking could be a warning signal, just playfulness and excitement, a way to seek attention, anxiety, boredom or a response to other dogs. Patience and consistency would help bring excessive barking in control; teach your dog to obey the bark/quiet command.

2) Chewing is natural to most canines, but it becomes a behavioral problem once the dog causes destruction. Dogs chew due to various reasons like puppy teething, anxiety, puppies’ curiosity, boredom or even excess energy. Destruction by chewing can be controlled by encouraging the dog to chew on toys. It is best to keep personal items away from the dog and confine the dog to an area when you go out. Make sure the dog gets plenty of exercise; correct the dog when it chews with a sharp noise indicating he is wrong. 

3) Biting in dogs is due to instinct or pack mentality; puppies bite and nip at other dogs and human beings to explore their environment and learn about their place in the pack. Also dogs bite out of fear, as a method of defensiveness, out of pain and sickness, dominance assertion or out of the predatory instinct. It depends upon owners and breeders of dogs to convey the message that biting is not accepted and decrease the biting tendency through proper training, breeding and socialization.

4) Dogs dig out of instinct; it is common for certain breeds like Terriers to dig due to hunting histories. Other dogs dig due to boredom or excess energy, a hunting instinct, fear or anxiety, for seeking comfort, hiding possessions like bones and toys or to escape or gain access. It could be very frustrating to have your dog dig in the backyard; digging could be remedied with spending quality time with your dog, giving him a lot of exercise, and working on extra training. It would be ideal to allot an area like a sand box where your dog could dig.

5)    Dogs take to chasing as a display to their predatory instinct; since chasing could lead to undesirable and dangerous outcomes, so steps are to be taken to prevent disasters. It would help to keep the dog on leash especially when outdoors and train the dog to come when called. Watch for potential triggers like joggers and keep a dog whistle or noisemaker to attract the dog’s attention. 

There are a lot more behavioral problems that a pet dog can have. Check it out at 5 More Behavioral Problems of Dogs.