Pet Behavioral Issues
Our pets are our companions, and they have learned to live with us and always like to please us. However, of course, we have to train them to avoid their destructive behaviors that can cause problems to their humans and other animals and people too. So, if you want to solve pet behavioral issues, Advantage Insurance Solutions provides insights and helpful tips.
Pet Behavior Problems in Dogs
The two most common behavior problems found in dogs are aggression and scavenging. Some owners would never allow their dogs to sleep beside them in bed, while others don’t mind. Some behaviors that are considered major issues for some owners are non-issues for others. It’s up to you, your dog, and potential consequences, whether something is an issue or not.
Common Dog Behaviors & Symptoms
Bad or destructive behavior in dogs can vary from boredom to malnutrition to injury or illness. Some of these kinds of weird dog behaviors are instinctive, while some are bad habits that have formed over time. We have listed some typical dog behaviors that are easy to see; however, they might be hard to eliminate.
Instinctive Behavior
Some instinctive behaviors include digging, chewing, chasing, and rolling in the dirt, poop, or dead animals. These kinds of actions are natural dog behaviors that we cannot avoid. You can train your dog so we can minimize these kinds of habits. However, it won’t be easy, of course.
Bad Habits
We sometimes encourage bad habits for our dogs to do like resource guarding, jumping on people, climbing on furniture, begging for food, clingy behavior, and taking over your bed. You must set clear boundaries and always be consistent if you don’t want your pet to continue these habits. It’s also important that you provide your pet dogs comfort, safety, and enough food so they won’t be demanding.
Health Issues
Health issues can make your dog become aggressive, growl, and bite. Separation anxiety can also be a big problem for some dog owners since their pooches tend to destroy things while there’s no one home. Some signs of illness or injury can include excessive licking, eating poop, defecating, and urinating indoors.
First Things First
Take note that this is not a definitive guide since your dog might act out differently since they are just bored. Make sure your beloved dogs are healthy and are getting enough exercise before you make any conclusions. If you decide a terrible and unwanted behavior as acting out or seeking attention when there’s, in fact, an underlying health condition, things can get worse.
Training Options
You will need to contact a dog behavior specialist or find a dog aggression management guide for some dog behavior issues that continue to appear. Most owners rely on professionals to help them deal with aggression, resource guarding, and separation anxiety. The experts can help you with dog behavior training, no matter how bad or mild their manners can be.
However, you don’t need to get a pet behavior expert to deal with problematic dog behavior. You have a choice to train them yourself. Making the right approach and always being consistent are the keys to success. Bear in mind what you want to attain and find the very best way to achieve it. It would be better to do this with patience and enough treats and also avoid punishment as a form of a training method.
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List of Dog Behaviors
Here are some following dog behaviors that owners find harmful or annoying. Feel free to tell us what other behaviors you have dealt with and how you solved them.
Barking and howling
Excessive barking and howling can be annoying for both of you and your neighbors. So, we suggest putting a stop to this kind of behavior as soon as possible.
Digging
Some dogs really just love to dig, it’s natural to them. However, if your carpets or your garden are getting destroyed because they continue digging, you’ll have to train your dogs to stop.
Chewing
Chewing is also one of the most common problems in dogs. They chew things like your shoes, phone, clothes, etc.
Play biting
Play biting is so common in puppies and this is a kind of rough play. Your puppies are still young, and they don’t know better, so we highly suggest teaching them.
Urinating and defecating inside
Urinating and defecating inside your home can be signs of health problems if your dog is already potty trained. We suggest taking your dog immediately to the veterinarian to check for medical issues and also find treatment.
Growling and biting
Growling and biting are signs of aggression. If you see signs of your dogs doing this kind of habit, find out the cause, and start training. We suggest stopping this as soon as possible before another animal or another person is seriously injured.
Resource guarding
Your dogs might get possessive-aggressive and might also start to act out when they think there’s not enough food for them, so they guard them very carefully. This also applies to their toys and their place on your sofa.
Begging for food or stealing food
You must be careful when you want your dogs to stop begging for food while you eat or stealing your dinner. They’ll do everything to get the food when they have their eyes on it.
Chasing
We also suggest teaching your dogs to sit, stay, and come to prevent them from running away since going after small prey is an urge some of your dogs can’t resist.
Jumping up on people
Pets are jumpy and will get excited when someone comes to your house and visits. They might also jump onto your visitors. This may be cute. However, some people can’t be bothered by this kind of gesture. We suggest teaching your dog good manners.
Eating poop
Eating poop is, of course, a nasty habit that is out of preference, boredom, and even malnutrition. Humans will never understand or even accept dogs eating poop as a natural behavior.
Climbing on furniture
It’s on the owner to decide whether their pets are allowed on the furniture. However, when they jump onto the kitchen counter to steal your food, that’s an issue that is worth looking into.
Clingy behavior
Some dogs are more lap dogs. However, when you can’t even do anything without your dog like going to the bathroom, that’s already a sign that your beloved pet is already too clingy.
Leash aggression and pulling
Dogs can get very upset when being restrained if they were not introduced to leash early. Starting them young with a sturdy but comfortable training collar and leash would be good. It will be hard to put them on a leash. When you manage to put them on a leash, your dogs will always pull and run in front of you.
Rolling in dirt, poop, or dead animals
Rolling in dirt, poop, or dead animals is a dog’s favorite habit. If you just bathe your dog and they’re all clean and fresh, then be careful when you let your dogs go outside since some of them hate taking baths just like they hate the smell of their shampoo. They will roll in the dirt, poop, or dead animals as they prefer the natural odor.
Taking over your bed
It’s your choice whether you’ll let your pet sleep in your bed. However, when pets are all grown up and start to push you from the bed, you need to teach them and get them under control.
Running away
Certain breeds of dogs that have strong hunter instincts are most likely to run away when they see their prey. However, regardless of breed, always check your dogs during spring and fall when the female dogs are in heat.
Excessive licking
Excessive licking is a sign of an underlying health issue. They might be injured or have an infection if your dog is licking themselves. However, if they lick everything and everyone, there might be a hidden issue. We suggest taking your dogs to the veterinarian to learn the cause of it.
Body Language and Diagnosis
Through the body language of dogs, it is sometimes possible to see signs of aggressive or destructive behavior. Learn how to see signs of discomfort, fear, or aggression on your dogs and prevent bad behavior before this happens. Direct your pet’s attention back on you or something else that distracts them or much better, immediately take them out of a scary situation. We listed some body language signals that you can learn to use to your advantage.
Shy or Nervous Dog
When your dogs are shy or nervous, they get behind you. They may also yawn, lick their nose, shake off and pull their ears backward and flat against their head. Your dog might turn to be aggressive if they’re nervous around new people or other dogs. If your dogs feel threatened, instruct the people around them to approach your dogs carefully or not approach them at all.
Fearful Dog
You can see the hairs on your dog’s neck and back go up when they’re scared or suspicious about something or someone. When a dog is doubtful, it will be stiff with its head and neck raised and tail pointing up. A scared dog might try to pull back and growl or back. The best solution for this is to get out of the situation quickly by walking the other way around.
Stalking
If your dog is bowed with a stiff tail, legs bent, and eyes wide open and fixed on their target, they will usually run off and start chasing them. This doesn’t matter whether this is a toy or a bird. If you have trained your dog well enough, you can always call them back and get their attention as well. However, some dogs can run off and get lost since they find their hunter instincts very hard to combat. We suggest keeping them on a leash if you notice these signs, and you’re not sure if your dog will respond to you.
Playful
Dogs will bark at you to get your attention and if they want to play with you. In this kind of stance, your dog’s body is more relaxed, soft, and its tail will be wagging endlessly.
Anxious
Your dogs can get super anxious too. They will show signs of nervousness, anxiety and will be super clingy when you’re about to leave. These can be signs of separation anxiety. You’ll know once you get home. Your lonely dogs might destroy some of the things in your home.
On the flip side of an anxious dog is aggression. A dog aggressive before pooping is an example of this pet behavioral issue. Dogs feel vulnerable when they need to ‘use the bathroom’. Wouldn’t you feel the same if someone came up to you while sitting on the toilet?
Begging for Food or Getting Ready to Steal
Do you observe that sometimes your dogs are around your table while you’re eating? Do you also notice that they sit like a good boy while licking their lips? It’s pretty obvious that they’re after your food. Some of your dogs might even jump up onto the table, whine or bark at you. We suggest just ignoring this bad behavior if you don’t want to share every meal with your pets. However, if ignoring is difficult for you, bring your pooches to another room while you finish your meal.
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How To Deal With Behavioral Issues With Dogs
You have to start training your dog the moment they step into your home. You have to make the rules in your own home, and with the right stimuli, your dogs will also start to obey. Dogs want to make us happy all the time, so all of them respond well, depending on how we treat them. However, sometimes, we encourage bad behaviors by providing them attention, comfort, and pet treats. Our dogs will take this attention as a reward. The very best way to stop bad behavior is to ignore it since punishment doesn’t work. Your dogs will eventually get frustrated, which could result in fear or aggressive behavior, and this might only show a short-term result.
Set the Environment and Ground Rules
To keep your dog happy and obedient, do the right conditions, provide enough food for them, set the rules, and exercise your dog. You also always have to be consistent. Your dog will be confused if you’re not consistent and will make you stressed. If you feed your dog table scraps and allow them on your bed one day and then you suddenly punish them for the same things they do another day, your dogs would not understand what you want them to really do. You also have to adjust your behavior. Dog behavior training is effective with your consistency. If you don’t allow something today, then it should not be alright in the next few days.
Teach a Few Basic Commands First
Of course, when owning a pet dog, you also have to teach them basic commands like calling them and how to sit down. This is essentially other than your dog’s basic needs and making sure that they are indeed healthy. These are simple things that can help your dogs go a long way for further training. If your dogs happen to chew on your shoes and destroy your personal items, we suggest limiting their access to these before you train them not to chew. We also suggest giving them toys to play with, so they won’t go after your property.
Destructive Behavior in Puppies
Puppies are new little bundles of joy, and both of you can be excited. However, it will be so stressful for both of you at first since they might start making a mess and destroy your things. But, this can also be a good thing since you can train them early.
Pediatric Behavior Problems in Dogs
Puppy behaviors like chewing, playing biting, jumping up on people, and getting on furniture are normal habits for puppies. They’re not aware of the rules yet and just want to have fun and show you how much they love you. Chewing is a common destructive behavior. This can be a huge issue in the teething phase in puppies.
How to fix behavior problems in dogs, particularly puppies?
We suggest giving them chew toys and don’t give them access to anything except those toys. Play biting can also be an issue for pet owners since the teeth of puppies are very sharp and can cause injuries. Be sure not to encourage this rough play. If they do this behavior, show them that they hurt you and express a sharp “no” while pulling your hand back and end playtime early.
Treatment
You can fix most puppy behavior issues. You just have to acquire the right food, interesting pet puzzle toys, enough exercise, and a relaxing sleeping area for your pet dogs. We suggest limiting their access to some areas of your house and to all the items they could destroy. Give them praise and rewards so you’ll have a happy puppy. You can also go for puppy classes since this is a perfect solution for basic obedience and habits. Teach them how to sit on command and come when they are called and start from there.
Monitor Your Dog’s Behavior
When your dog exhibits good behavior in front of you while you’re home but turns into a monster when you’re not around, then these kinds of issues are from separation anxiety, boredom, or lack of exercise. We suggest getting a pet camera in order to monitor your dog’s behavior when you’re not home. This is also to avoid getting home to a battleground.
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FAQs On Behavioral Issues With Dogs
How do you discipline a dog?
Ignoring or giving them a time-out is one of the effective ways to discipline your dogs. A few more things to do are distract them with a loud noise, say a firm “no,” or order them to sit. You can also spray them with water to stop the bad behavior. Also, you can use a quick leash snap when your dog is on a leash. Other ways that are effective are taking away toys and holding back on their rewards. However, be sure never to hit your dog.
Why is my dog suddenly being aggressive?
This might only mean one thing; they might be sick or in pain. Dogs that are in pain will even snap, growl, and bark at their owners. We suggest taking your dogs to a veterinarian to check if there’s a health problem.
Why is my dog trying to bite me?
If they’re still young and starting, they might only find it as a rough play. However, if an adult dog is trying to bite you, then they might not have learned that biting is wrong. Another possible answer is that your dog is getting aggressive. The first step is to rule out a medical issue and other obvious reasons like resource guarding and then address the problem.
Is it bad to let my dog sleep on the bed with me?
There’s actually nothing wrong with letting your dog sleep with you even though some may argue that dogs are dirty, shed a lot, might have parasites, and don’t really smell good. But, if they’re clean and healthy, please do go ahead! Your dogs will be very happy to sleep with you. Sleeping with dogs can actually improve a person’s sleep.
How do I stop my dog from jumping on my bed?
Always be consistent and set clear boundaries to avoid your dogs from jumping on your bed. One unforgivable example is you let your dog sleep with you for a week, but then you kick them out when you’re not in the mood one night. Always make sure that they have a comfortable and safe sleeping station. If they want to be close to you, make sure to put their sleeping space near your bed.
How do I stop dog aggression?
Make sure to determine the reason for aggression before you correct it. Rule out health issues then check for resource guarding, previous abuse, fear, anxiety, and lack of exercise. If you have small children in your home, refrain from interacting with your dogs until the aggression stops. However, it’s best to call an expert on pet behaviors in some cases.
Why is my dog eating poop and rolling in it?
Your pooches might be missing some nutrients, or they’re hungry if they’re eating their poop. They may also try eating what they can if this happens. Dogs think that poop smells good, so they will really try to eat it. Dogs also mask their smell when hunting, so they roll in smelly things instinctively.
Your dog might be lacking nutrients or is still hungry if they eat their poop. So, they may be trying to eat anything they can. Dogs also think that poop smells great, so they will often indulge in it. It can also be instinct as dogs are used to rolling in smelly things to mask their smell while hunting.
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Cat Behavioral Issues
The most common behavioral issues in cats are linked with elimination. Some of these problems are about the litter box, while some focus on social conflicts that involve anxiety or aggression. Most cat aggression is subdued and passive, so there are instances that their owners do not take this seriously.
Normal Feline Behavior
It is essential to make sure that your cat can do normal feline behaviors in order to both prevent and treat the problems. Their major needs include eating or hunting, drinking, elimination of urine and feces, security, play and exploration, climbing, perching, and scratching. Hunting and feeding needs might satisfy your cats if you give food in small portions throughout the whole day and place treats in their toys that require them movement in order to get the food like batting, chasing, rolling, and pawing. So there would also be an element of hunting. Your cat should have opportunities to chase, pounce on, and bite toys as you dangle or pull them from your cat.
How To Deal With Behavioral Issues With Cats?
One way to fix behavior problems in cats is to find toys that may interest your cat so they could be motivated to play. They may be given small toys for batting and chasing, boxes, or containers to explore, and tools to climb upon, perch, and scratch. Catnip is also good. 50% – 75% of cats respond to catnip.
When you reward your cat for good behaviors with positive reinforcement, techniques like treats or favorite toys can help them learn how to urinate, defecate, climb, scratch, or perch in incorrect locations. You should also help your cat when they are scared of something or someone. When your cat is calm and comfortable enough, you can try desensitization and counterconditioning techniques.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing and treating behavior problems in cats is complicated and requires meeting with a qualified behaviorist. We would like to help you understand the different behavior problems in cats and their possible treatment.
Cat Behavior Problems Associated with Aggression
Cat Instincts
For the most part, the aggression of cats towards people is usually due to fear that is related to play or because of predatory instincts. For instance, aggression towards strangers is usually because of fear. The cat doesn’t know you and sees your hands as claws. This is why early exposure to people is important for kittens to become friendly adult cats.
Fear and Anxiety
When you control a cat’s behavior, as in trying to hold them down or something similar, they exhibit status-related aggression such as scratching or biting.
Territorial
Aggression towards other cats in your home may be due to play, predatory behavior, redirected behavior, fear, and status-related behavior in which cats use aggression to keep control of sleeping areas, their common areas, or food.
On the other hand, aggression towards unfamiliar cats can be linked to fear or in order to protect their territory.
Pain and Illness
Pain aggression also happens when your cat is in pain. Illnesses and diseases can also cause aggression so veterinarians rule out medical causes of aggression.
Annoyance
Redirected aggression happens when you prevent your cat from reaching its target. This is not accidental, and your cat will pursue the other cat or person.
Predation
Predatory aggression is behavior linked with predation such as stalking, pawing, pouncing, chasing, and biting.
Treatment
Like dogs, cats will work for food rewards in counterconditioning programs. It is important to seek the help of a veterinarian so that your cats can be treated properly and successfully.
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Behavior Problems Associated with Elimination
Regarding pooping, peeing or using a litter box, your cat’s veterinarian will exclude any medical problems since many conditions can cause cats to urinate or defecate outside their litter box.
Spraying or urine marking is the elimination of urine through a small stream of urine. Cats usually do this to mark their territory.
It becomes a problem when cats that do not use their litter box may just be avoiding the litter box or its location. Some causes of this behavioral problem may be conflict between your cats in your home or sudden changes in their surroundings.
Treatment
Treatment of elimination disorders requires addressing the anxieties of your cats. You should keep your litter as clean as possible at all times, and you should also determine what your cat likes a combination of the litter box, number of boxes, and the location. If your cat has anxiety, medication, and behavior modification techniques can help. Again, punishment is not recommended and makes the problem even worse. Always ask for help from your veterinarian.
Other Feline Behavior Problems
Other kinds of behavior problems also happen in cats.
Hyperesthesia
Hyperesthesia is a syndrome in cats that is not yet completely understood. Cats that have this may be sensitive to being touched, especially along their back. They become agitated when they are handled, and groom the area excessively. Bring your cat to a vet to rule out medical causes.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Compulsive behavior also happens in cats. The most common kinds of this behavior are excessive grooming, chewing of wool, other fabrics, plastic, rubber, cardboard, or string. This may be due to stress or anxiety. Your vet can help you with a behavior modification program, and he can also give your cat some medicines.
Trauma
Fear in cats can be a good thing or a bad thing. This may be due to minimal socialization when they were kittens or due to traumatically frightening experiences. Fear can also lead to threatening behavior such as growling and hissing. Your vet can make a treatment plan that includes avoidance, behavior modification techniques, and also medications.
Alzheimer’s
Older cats may have cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. This can cause disorientation, agitation, anxiety, memory loss, house soiling, and personality changes. Head to your vet immediately to rule out medical conditions and make an effective treatment plan.
Conclusion
Most animal behavioral issues stem from misunderstandings between a pet and the fur parent. So in addition to pet insurance, it’s also a good idea to consider pet behavioral insurance. If pet behavioral issues do arise, it will be there for you. The best way to solve pet behavioral issues is Love and Patience. But it’s still best to get your pet insured today.
Call or text Advantage Insurance Solutions at (877) 658-2472 if you’d like to know more.