At Time for Paws, we understand that nobody's p erfect, and the same goes for our beloved canine companions. Whether you've already got a dog, or you are considering getting one, it's important that you have a good understanding of the most common dog behaviour problems and the steps you can take in order to solve and prevent them in the future. On top of having a sound understanding of basic obedience training, knowledge of common behaviour issues will give you the upper hand when it comes to controlling them. In this post we are taking a look at the most common behaviours and how you can fix them.
1. Barking
It's not uncommon for dogs to bark, whine and even howl at times, however, excessive barking is considered a behaviour problem. Before you even think about correcting your dogs barking, you need to understand why they are barking so much in the first place. The most common types of barking are: Warning or alert Attention-seeking Boredom In response to other dogs Playfulness and excitement AnxietyIn order to control excessive barking, it is important that you are both patient and consistent as you consider teaching your four-pawed pal bark and quiet commands. It can be a long process but if you persist it can go a long way.
2. Chewing
Again, chewing is a natural action for all dogs; it's just part of their behaviour each and every day. However, if you don't nip it in the bud chewing can progress into a serious behaviour problem if your dog causes destruction within your household. Typically, dogs will chew for the following reasons: Puppy teething Anxiety Curiosity; particularly common for puppies Boredom Excess energyWhen you catch your pup chewing something they shouldn't be, quickly correct them with a sharp noise. Then, you need to replace the item with a chew toy. You can also provide your dog with a lot of from the offset to avoid the risk of them chewing your shoes or household items. If you find your dog chews things up when you're not home, be sure to take them for a long walk before going out to burn off excess energy and keep them in a confined area in order to limit the amount of damage they can cause.
3. Begging
Begging is a bad habit, one of which is often caused by dog owners or other humans in the household encourage it. Begging can not only be destructive to meal times but also very bad for your dogs' health, sometimes leading to issues with digestion and obesity. We understand that sometimes it might be hard to say no to those puppy eyes, but you need to be mindful that you are often doing more harm than good when you feed your beloved Dog Food from your plate. The just this once approach to treating your canine companion can lead to serious begging problems down the line. To manage the problem, you should tell your dog to go to its bed or a confined area, ideally where they cannot see you. If they stop begging, reward with a and lots of love and attention once the entire household has stopped eating. There you have it, 3 of the most common behaviour problems in dogs and the simple steps you can take to prevent them for a calmer household for both dogs and humans alike