Dog behavioural problems are often misunderstood or even mishandled by various dog owners.
It may be that you are completely new to dog ownership or that you are thinking about getting a dog, but you just don’t know if you are able to handle it or not.
Fortunately, there isn’t any need to wander in the dark when it comes to understanding what you can and cannot do when it comes to fixing behavioural issues in dogs.
If you want to find out more about dog issues or if you would like to know if getting a dog is the right option for you then you can find out everything you need to know, right here.
Inappropriate Urination
Inappropriate urination is a very frustrating dog behaviour. You may find that the urine damages your home and that it can also make your dog unwelcome in the homes of others too.
It’s very important that you talk about this behaviour with your vet first, but if they say everything is fine then it may come down to things like territorial marking, anxiety or even lack of house training.
Inappropriate urination is unavoidable in pups who are under 12 weeks of age but if your dog is older than this then that’s another story.
You may need to talk with your vet to see if they can help but ultimately it starts with calming your dog down as this will help you to make sure that you are giving them the support they need and that you are also making sure that they are comfortable with the environment they’re in.
One common question that people have is does pet insurance cover diagnostics– and most of the time it does. If you need any kind of urine diagnostics, keep this in mind.
Barking
Dogs tend to vocalise in one way. Some of them bark, others whine and some howl. Excessive barking does tend to be a behavioural issue. Before you even start to correct excessive barking, you need to try and understand why your dog is vocalising to begin with.
The most common reasons why dogs bark include warning, being excited, attention-seeking, boredom or anxiety. If you want to try and teach your dog to be quiet then you need to teach them the bark or the quiet command.
Be very consistent in your training and also make sure that you do everything you can to try and stop this behaviour where possible.
If you do then you will soon find that you are able to get them to be quiet on command. If you have a Goldador then these dogs have lots of energy and may be more prone to barking when they aren’t tired enough to settle.
When it comes to helping a dog keep their barking under control, it is crucial to be as patient as possible. The use of treats for positive reinforcement is a good idea, as if you can get them to stop barking on command, giving them a treat will let your dog know that they are doing a good job.
Chewing
Chewing is a very natural action for most dogs. Chewing is a very important activity as well. It is part of the natural way that their brains are wired.
Excessive chewing can be an issue that you need to correct if you let things get out of hand. The most reasons why dogs chew include puppy teething, anxiety, boredom and curiosity.
If you want to help your dog then you need to encourage them to chew the right things. You need to give them a good range of chew toys and you also need to try and keep any personal items out of reach.
When you’re not home, try and keep your dog crated if possible as this will help to keep them under control as much as possible. Dogs like the Goberian are known for having excess energy, and therefore chew.
It is not enough to give them chew toys and expect them to start going for it – especially when they are already used to chewing on some of your favourite pieces of furniture.
It would be a good idea to play with your dog as much as possible, and give them a chance to get used to the idea of playing with their new chew toys. You can give them treats for good behaviour, and to associate their dog chews with positive reinforcement.
Digging
If you give your dog the chance then they will most likely carry out some form of digging. It really is a matter of instinct. Certain breeds, such as terriers will dig more because of the hunting instincts they have. Most dogs dig because they have boredom, others dig out of anxiety and fear.
Some even dig because they have a hunting instinct, so keep that in mind. It can be very frustrating watching your dog trying to dig up the yard, so try and find out the cause of your dog’s digging and then do things to shift that behaviour.
It may be that you need to give your dog more exercise or that you need to work on extra training. If that doesn’t work then give your dog a single patch where they are allowed to dig.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is easily one of the dog behaviour’s that’s discussed the most. Manifestations tend to include inappropriate urination, chewing and vocalisation. If your dog shows behaviours such as this then it may be time for you to get to the root of the issue.
If you want to do this then you need to try and train them. When you leave, give them a chew toy or even work with them to know that you leaving isn’t a bad thing, as you are only gone for a short period of time. It may be that you have to leave them for 5 minutes at a time, and then 10 minutes, etc.
Conclusion
While it is true that negative dog behaviour can be unsettling and discouraging, there is no need to resign yourself to stress. The tips above are sure to help.
