There are many behavioral problems that can affect our dogs, however, before starting to apply methods indiscriminately, it is necessary to reflect: we must know the causes, the types of problems that exist or the different solutions. It is essential to make the right decision when treating them.
In this article on our site we will show you the 10 most common behavior problems in dogs and we will give you several tips so you can find a solution.
What causes behavioral problems in dogs?
The appearance of behavior problems in animals is frequent and there are many causes that can provoke them. Some owners even consider themselves guilty, when there are many factors that they are unaware of and that may have influenced.
genetics plays a very important role in a dog's behavior. At times, it can overcome learning [1] It is not uncommon for a fearful dog has puppies with similar behavior or that breeds that have suffered a lot of punishment, such as the German shepherd, have a certain tendency to fear. Stress during the dog's pregnancy can also affect the puppies.
Another decisive factor is puppy socialization It is a process that begins around 3 weeks and ends when the dog is 3 months. During this period, the little one must learn everything necessary for his adult stage: the habits of dogs, canine language, tolerance, detachment…
For this reason, promptly separating a puppy from its mother and siblings can cause various behavioral problems, since when the period ends, fears begin to appear. That's why we always stress the importance of socializing a puppy on our site.
With the closure of socialization the dog is susceptible to suffering fears and even phobias A bad experience, perhaps unnoticed for us, can provoke an authentic trauma in the animal, which later explains why it reacts to one stimulus or another.
Top 10 Behavior Problems in Dogs
Next we will explain the most common behavior problems in dogs. In this way, you will be able to identify what is wrong with your best friend and start working to remedy it:
- Fears towards dogs, people, objects and environments: fear is not exclusive to dogs that have suffered abuse. As we have explained before, there are many causes that can cause fears and phobias. Lack of habituation is generally the most common cause. There are many different types of fear, from fear of people to fear of fireworks.
- Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety occurs when the dog is home alone. Prolonged barking, bowel movements and urination, destructiveness, crying, and door scratching are common. It is a behavior problem that appears when the owner is not at home.
- Excitability: we are talking about effusive behaviors that are not well received by us, for example, the dog jumping on people, to run around throwing everything in its path or to constantly push a baby. These are overly excitable behaviors and owners don't like them.
- Destructiveness and excessive biting in puppies: Many people say they have a puppy with behavior problems, however, destructiveness in puppies or suffering from a painful bite are totally normal and acceptable situations. A puppy should never be reprimanded for it. It is vitally important to understand that they are in a very important stage, in which the discovery and experiences will have an impact on their adult stage.
- Destructiveness in Adult Dogs: Destructiveness in adult dogs may indicate a problem related to stress or the five freedoms of animal welfare. A dog that enjoys a he althy, positive lifestyle, good he alth, exercise and mental stimulation, and a lack of fear should not engage in destructive behavior.
- Aggressiveness towards other dogs, cats or people: There are many different types of aggressiveness: the protection of resources (the dog "protects" an object, such as a bed or a bowl of food, can also protect a living being), fear aggressiveness (when faced with something that causes fear or if you do not know what is going to happen), territorial aggressiveness (the dog acts in a reactive to scare strangers away from its territory), predatory aggressiveness (the dog chases cars or children, for example), intrasexual aggression (between members of the same sex)…
- Coprophagia: Coprophagia in dogs is common in puppies. It is a way of experimenting. Just like human babies do, little ones put everything in their mouths. However, this is not normal behavior in adult dogs.
- Urination and defecation at home: it is probably one of the main reasons for consulting canine educators and trainers. In proper parenting, it would be the mother who would teach her pups to urinate outside the "nest" or home. In her absence, it is the owners who must teach her. If that fails, it may happen that even in its adult stage the dog continues to defecate and urinate at home. However, it is possible to learn how to teach a dog to relieve itself on the street.
- Intolerance to handling or use of certain objects: this problem is common in dogs that have been suddenly exposed to certain elements to which they were not accustomed. The lack of habituation causes the animal to use different forms of communication to remove the unpleasant stimulus. It can occur in dogs that won't let their teeth be brushed, dogs that won't let themselves be touched at all, or those that refuse to get into a vehicle. Once again, this problem is directly related to early socialization and habituation.
- Abnormal behaviors: there are other behaviors that alert owners such as stereotypes, repetitive and constant movements without an end apparent "spoiled dog behavior" refusing food or the various dog-to-dog problems that may arise.
Finally, but not least, it should be noted that if you have problems with your own dogs there is probably a serious conflict between you. The misinterpretation of canine language, the use of aversives (repellant sprays, for example), punishment and other factors may be causing this gap between the two.
How to correct the behavior of dogs?
Sometimes access to the right information allows many owners to self-correct behavior problems in their dogs. We generally talk about puppy behaviors, urination problems or the slightest fears.
That is why many decide to learn more about canine language, ethology or consult professional blogs and magazines. Learning about the nature of the dog, its high social and cognitive abilities can make us understand what is the mistake that is being made so that abnormal behaviors are carried out.
It is also important to note that some pathologies, such as hypothyroidism, can alter the behavior of dogs. Precisely for this reason, when faced with a serious behavior problem it is advisable to visit a veterinarian or an ethologistBoth are he alth professionals who can diagnose an illness, which explains bad behavior. But in addition, an ethologist will be able to guide you in behavior.
If you have ruled out that your dog suffers from pain or some disease that you could not identify at first glance, the next option will be to visit a professional to help you modify behavior of the dog Canine educators, trainers and ethologists can help you in this regard. We recommend looking for professionals with good references, open about their work and who do not apply punitive methods.
Behavior problems in dogs
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