As dog owners, we want the best for our four-legged friends. We love them and take care of them, just like our babies. Dogs, too, love us back with full passion and energy. However, dogs don’t always show the best of their behavior. As their caretakers, we need to have an understanding of their different moods and traits. Suppose a dog is behaving in a problematic way. In that case, we should be aware of such behavior and what to do about it. Here, in this article, we will discuss most of those behavior issues. In the first part, we will look at some common behavior problems in dogs of all ages. In the second part, we will discuss problems relevant to a particular age group like senior dogs and puppies.
Common behavior issues in dogs
Not coming when called
It is not uncommon that you call your dog, and it is not responding the way you want. It is a common dog behavior problem and can get frustrating. Let’s find out the causes of this behavior.
Causes
There are many reasons behind your dog ignoring your calls, and disobedience is not one of them. Your dog is not trained enough to obey your command. It could be due to hard of hearing or experiencing some pain in the body. It wants to stay out, so it willfully ignores your call. You are confusing your dog by calling in different ways than it is trained to respond. Remember, you know English, your dog doesn’t.
Symptoms
Its obvious sign is your dog is not responding to your calls and choosing to ignore them instead.
Prevention
To prevent this behavior, you need to get behind its reason. It could be a medical issue which a doctor can fix. It is advisable to pay a visit to the vet. If there is no underlying medical reason, then you have to train your dog more. Get an expert’s help if you think that’s important. Reward your dog whenever he obeys your call and comes to you. It could be something as simple as a loving pat. Also, stick with one word that the dog should learn to respond to.
Breeds most likely to be affected
This type of behavior can affect any breed of dog who is not trained enough. But the breeds that are difficult to train may be prone to this type of behavior. These include Afghan hound, Bulldog, Chow Chow, Basenji, Pekingese, Bloodhound, Welsh terrier, Dachshund, and Welsh Terrier.
Pulling on the leash
Pulling on the leash is a common behavior issue in dogs. It tires you and your dog, taking the fun out of the walk. It can also be dangerous because the dog can choke itself or run into moving traffic or people etc.
Causes
There can be multiple reasons behind this. Your dog does not like the leash, as it could be too tight or uncomfortable. Try replacing it. Inadequate training can be another reason. Also, the dog could have loads of pent-up energy and cannot control it, triggering this common dog behavior problem.
Symptoms
You being dragged by your dog helplessly on the streets is a telltale sign of this behavior.
Prevention
It is better to introduce your dog to the leash at a younger age. It will get used to it. Always use a good quality leash. There are specially designed leashes available now that make it difficult for the dog to pull. When a dog pulls the leash, stop immediately, the dog will stop too. Let the leash relax and then restart walking. Repeat if the dog pulls the leash again. Ultimately your dog will realize leash pulling is futile and will stop doing it. It might take a few days, though. Often the dog does this out of sheer excitement of going out. To curb this behavior, insert a gap between leashing your dog and stepping out. This gap will calm the dog’s excitement, and it will behave when you go out. Dogs are natural pacers and walk faster than humans. We need to understand this too.
Breeds most likely to be affected
Dogs with an independent streak, or those who are not properly trained can display this problem. Sometimes big and strong dogs show this behavior too.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs, by nature, are social animals. They don’t’ like to be alone. If your dog behaves in an unruly way when he is alone or when the dog’s main caregiver leaves, he is suffering from separation anxiety. It is another behavior problem in dogs’ which is fairly common.
Causes
Separation anxiety has many causes, like for example the dog is taken away from her mother prematurely causing this behavior, a sudden and abrupt change in the dog’s owner due to separation, divorce, illness, accident, etc., a change in residence, prolonged isolation due to one reason or the other, dog’s instinct that makes him feel vulnerable when alone.
Symptoms
This type of dog behavior problem will showcase itself in several ways: barking, whining, howling, excessive drooling, panting, pacing, chewing and destroying furniture, defecating, and urinating at the wrong places, etc.
Prevention
You can help your dog with his separation anxiety by adopting certain behavioral changes. To begin with, do not attach your dog with yourself too much. Sometimes the owners try to compensate their furry friends for earlier lapses by being with them a lot. Experts even advise against sleeping together. Make your dog independent and encourage him to look for interests and pastimes that do not involve you. It will help in preventing separation anxiety.
Breeds most likely to be affected
German Shepherd, Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Jack Russel Terrier, etc. tend to have separation anxiety.
Whining for attention
Your dog will whine when he wants your attention. Usually, he is trying to communicate something to you. He could be scared, sick, anxious, or excited. A little bit of whining is okay. However, too much of it is not good.
Causes
There could be different reasons behind whining. You have to look at your dog’s body language as to what it is trying to tell you. It could be begging for your attention, asking for some special treat could be excited or anxious or stressed or even sick.
Symptoms
Apart from the usual whining sounds, the whining will be accompanied by signs like pacing, aggression, panting, anti-social behavior, irritability, agitation, etc. Observe closely, and you will conclude.
Prevention
To prevent this common dog behavior problem, try to get to the root cause of whining. If you can’t, and you are sure the dog is whining for no good reason, distract it. Give it a toy or engage it in some activity. Do not give in easily and respond cautiously and selectively to the dog’s whining. Sometimes it is better just to ignore it too.
Breeds most likely to be affected
Vocal breeds are more likely to have this behavior. These include American Eskimo, American Foxhound, American Water Spaniel, Beagle, Basset Hound, etc.
Barking at the Door
Barking at the door is another dog issue that is widely prevalent and can be pretty annoying for the owners.
Causes
This kind of dog behavior problem can be seeking attention, killing boredom, stress, pain, anxiety, lack of training, distracting noise from outside, fear, etc.
Symptoms
In this case, the sign to look out for is the dog barking at the closed door or finding an excuse to do it.
Prevention
You can cure this dog behavior problem by trying to get to the root of the problem. What triggers the barking? If it is doing this just for seeking attention, then ignore this behavior. Otherwise, you can apply many techniques depending on the underlying reason for barking. You can train your dog to respond to the ” quiet ” or ” stop ” command better. You can distract it from some other activity, block its view of the outside, or keep it in another room. Sometimes the dog is not sensitized to outside noises, which trigger the barking. You can introduce it to different noises, but they should not be too loud. You can also indulge your dog in exercise to calm its nerves and relax it.
Breeds most likely to be affected
Breeds that bark a lot under normal circumstances are more likely to indulge in this behavior. These include Fox Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, Miniature schnauzer, etc.
Aggression
When your dog attacks someone or is in an attacking mode all the time, it is suffering from aggression. Aggression is a common problem in dogs. There are some breeds rumored to be prone to it, but it’s just a myth.
Causes
Your dog won’t become violent or aggressive without any reason. Its causes can be limited socialization, inadequate training, being territorial, sickness, distress, trying to be dominant, pain, etc.
Symptoms
The telltale signs of aggression include your dog growling, snarling, baring teeth, becoming still to attack, biting, nipping, etc.
Prevention
To prevent aggression, start from puppyhood. It becomes quite difficult to tame an aggressive adult dog. Socialize the dog in his early years to other dogs and persons, discourage his dominant behavior and reward good behavior with positive reinforcements.
Breeds most likely to be affected
We will not demonize common ‘aggressive’ breeds like Doberman or Rottweiler etc. Any breed can show aggressive streak if it is not socialized or trained enough or has reached sexual maturity and is not neutered yet.
Begging
Begging in dogs usually means begging for human food while you are eating. It is an acquired behavioral tendency that is not inherent among dogs.
Causes
The dog resorts to this dog behavior problem because we give in to his begging. Then, he repeats it, and the cycle continues. So, probably we humans’ condition them to do that.
Symptoms
Its symptoms include barking, nudging, pawing, and whining.
Prevention
Prevention lies in not giving in to your dog’s demands. Set a rule not to feed your dog anything from your table. If you have to share your food, then do it once you are done eating, and put it in the dog’s bowl like you ordinarily feed it. It is also a good idea to keep your dog away from the dining table while you eat. Also, feed your dog according to a fixed schedule and feed your dog well. If your dog still begs for food, distract it with a toy or something.
Breeds most likely to be affected
Any breed of dog can be a beggar if the owner accedes to his begging and whining.
Barking all the time
A dog will bark. It has to communicate things, and barking is their language. However, consistent barking is not good. It is annoying and will drain the energy of your dog.
Causes
The many reasons behind this common dog behavior problem are; boredom, stress, anxiety, illness, attention-seeking, separation anxiety, fear, and territoriality.
Symptoms
Incessant barking is its most glaring symptom.
Prevention
Here too you will find that training is your best choice and it has to start from a very young age. Try to find out the underlying cause of excessive barking and work on removing it. Do not shout or yell at your dog to stop. It will not help, and the dog might confuse it for encouragement. Reward the quite behavior of your dog. Remove the triggers of his barking. Train him with the “quiet” command.
Breeds most likely to be affected
These include breeds like Yorkshire Terrier, Fox Terrier, Miniature schnauzer, Cairn Terrier, Beagles, etc.
Chasing
Chasing comes naturally to dogs. It is part of their instincts. Dogs love it and find it incredibly rewarding and satisfying. But chasing anything and everything all the time can be very troubling for the dog owners. With a little training, you can overcome this common behavior problem in dogs.
Causes
There is no specific cause for chasing. It is a compulsive behavior inherent in almost all the dogs.
Symptoms
When your dog chases cars, bicycles, squirrel, shadow, wildlife, skateboarders, and just about everything, you can conclude that he has a behavioral issue regarding chasing.
Prevention
Prevention lies in training and teaching, and it starts from an early age. In puppyhood, manage the chase instinct of your dog with the help of a leash. Teach him to respect wildlife and birds. You can channelize your dog’s chase instincts into games and sports. It will keep your dog occupied and happy, and you will be at peace too.
Breeds most likely to be affected
Sighthounds or dogs raised to hunt down and chase prey are most likely to have this issue. Likewise, herding dogs have this tendency too.
Rolling in the dirt
Rolling in the dirt is another issue in dogs that we humans do not like. Many dog owners complain about it. Interestingly, this happens after you have given your dog a nice and clean bath.
Causes
Experts point to various reasons behind this behavior. It could be a dog’s way to feel ‘wild’ again. The dogs think by rolling in the dirt and other unmentionables, they will suppress their natural scent, and other animals won’t notice them. They may do it to look superior among other dogs. Also, dogs do not like the fragrant shampoos and soaps you use on them. Rolling in the dirt soon after bath is their way of getting back their natural body musk. They may also be doing it to scratch their back or just for the heck of it because they think it is a fun and exciting thing to do.
Symptoms
You will see your dog smothering itself in a puddle of mud, feces, rotting fruits, dirt, or something like that.
Prevention
This kind of behavior problem in dogs can be corrected by practicing a few techniques. Whenever you go out, put your dog on a leash. Suppose it pounces on something gross stop it. Distract it and, if possible, remove the thing your dog finds tempting to roll in. Do not use fragrant products for bathing your dog. Dogs hate their smell. Use instead of odorless shampoos. They are gentle on the skin too.
Breeds most likely to be affected
We can think of no particular breed here as most of them like to indulge in this activity.
Eating poop or dead animals
Of all the nasty habits a dog has, this one has to be the vilest for humans. It is a disgusting dog behavior issue. Many owners get so fed up that they get rid of the offending dog. The fact is eating poop or munching on dead meat is very natural for dogs. It could be part of their ancestry.
Causes
There are many reasons for this kind of behavior. A dog may be doing this because it does not get enough food or enough nutrients from its food. It could be suffering from parasites, diabetes, or some other sickness. It could be a result of stress or anxiety, too, or doing this to grab your attention.
Symptoms
Eating poop or dead animals like cats, squirrels, birds, etc. are signs of this problem.
Prevention
You can do several things to cure your dog of this habit. Start by cleaning. Do not let the poop or any dead carcass lie around the house. If you are out, supervise your dog as to what he eats. You can also use products available in the market or make some at home that make the poop taste nasty for dogs. Give your dog a healthy diet and make sure he is not hungry. Go to your vet and check if he has some medical issues or not.
Breeds most likely to be affected
Hounds and Terriers are more likely to display this behavior. Shetland sheepdog is also notorious for this habit. Usually, female dogs indulge in it more than their male counterparts. Dogs living in groups can develop this tendency more than an individual dog.
Clingy behavior
We all love to bond with our dogs and take pride when they show their affection towards us. But when a dog abnormally attaches itself to the owner, then it becomes an issue. A normal and healthy dog will not compromise on its independence, so the clingy behavior needs treatment.
Causes
The dog could be under some kind of distress, anxiety, or fear. Physical causes could be some illness or health issue which a vet can ascertain. A female dog can display clingy behavior when she is ‘in heat.’
Symptoms
When the dog refuses to part with you, is in distress when you are not around, whines and barks when doesn’t see you or follows you around everywhere, these are sure signs of clingy behavior.
Prevention
You can take care of this common dog behavior problem by removing the causes triggering this behavior. If it is physical, medication and other treatments will help. If it is emotional, then make your dog happy by indulging it in games and exercise. There are medications too for stress relief.
Breeds most likely to be affected
Some breeds of dogs are very clingy, which are Golden Retriever, Vizsla, Maltese, Pug, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd ad Sheltie.
Excessive Licking
Licking is a natural behavior among dogs. When it gets too much and too often, then it is a cause of worry.
Causes
There can be a multitude of reasons behind this problem in dogs. The dog can have seasonal allergies or infections that cause the skin to inflame, promoting this behavior. It can be due to dry skin, muscle soreness, hormonal imbalance, parasites, anal sac issues, dental infection, gastrointestinal problems, hunger, dehydration, and boredom, etc.
Symptoms
Excessive licking can be both self and surface licking. When the dog licks its paws, genitalia, and muzzle excessively, it is suffering from this condition. Similarly, licking of faces, objects, carpets, furniture, etc. for a prolonged period are symptoms of this issue.
Prevention
Its prevention lies in identifying and removing the causes of this behavior problem in dogs. It’s better to visit your vet, who will determine the exact cause of this behavior. Some sprays taste bitter and discourage your dog from licking. You can also try a collar.
Breeds most likely to be affected
Breeds that lick a lot like Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Pug, Pitbull, Poodle, and Chihuahua are prone to excessive licking.
We will now turn our attention to behavioral issues prevalent in senior/old dogs and puppies. Let us start with senior dogs.
Behavioral Issues in Senior Dogs
Confusion/spatial disorientation
It is a common senior dog behavior issues. The dog will lose its focus and act confused and lost. It will have trouble finding its way and moving around. All this while he is in his familiar surroundings. It is a neurological disorder. Its treatment may include medication, behavior therapy to intravenous treatment. Your dog will feel better with these, although a relapse can always occur.
Losing interest in social interactions
This is another issue faced by senior dogs and their owners. Your friendly and outgoing companion will start losing interest in going out and meeting or greeting new dogs or people. Sometimes he is not interested in playing with the owner too. The decrease in the brain’s chemicals causes this problem. There are medications available for this that can help your dog get back to its old self.
Overdependence and clinginess
This senior dog behavior problem is also part of the cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which arrives with old age. The brain chemistry gets affected and gives birth to issues like these. The dog shows too much attachment to the owner and becomes agitated when alone. The owner must engage the dog in healthy activities and exercise. It will help the dog. Medication is also available for optimum brain functioning.
Slower or disinterested in learning new things
Over time, your dog will be unable or slow in learning new things. It is a normal result of aging. The faculties of the brain become slow, and the dog becomes slow in acquiring knowledge. There are medications to slow this process. If you give a balanced and healthy diet to your dog, this impending condition can be delayed.
Anxiety and fear
Anxiety and fear can be caused by inflammation in the body. It can also be a result of the cognitive dysfunction syndrome that we discussed above. Either way, you must visit your vet to determine the exact cause of this condition and prescribe treatment.
Aggression
Aggression can manifest itself in many ways. It could be towards other dogs or people or children. Aggression can be a result of hormonal changes, pain, sickness, or other medical problems. To treat this, the exact cause must be determined. The vet will do that and prescribe medicinal and behavioral remedies.
House soiling
There can be many a medical reason behind house soiling when we talk about senior dogs. It could be a sign of neuromuscular weakness, brain tumor, cognitive dysfunction, and endocrine system disorders. If the house soiling occurs when the dog is alone, it could be a sign of separation anxiety or stress. Again, see the vet get to the root of the problem and start treatment.
Compulsive behavior
Compulsive behavior entails a variety of undesirable activities that include excessive licking, digging, pacing incessantly, tail chasing, air biting, jumping, etc. There can be medical issues behind such behavior, or it can be a result of stress. There are medicines available to deal with this. But such behavior should not be allowed to take root, and owners should make amends as they notice them.
Behavioral Problems in Puppies
Now we will see some common behavioral problems in puppies.
Destructive chewing
Destructive chewing means chewing on things that a puppy should not be chewing on in the first place and then destroying them. It is among the most complained about puppy behavior problems. These may include your shoes, clothes, carpet, etc. If the puppy is teething, then give it a toy to chew on. Otherwise, control this behavior with training, supervision, reward, punishment, and patience.
Play biting
Puppies will bite you innocently while playing with you. If that biting gets hard or aggressive, then you should discourage this behavior. If a puppy bites too hard, then scream and show the puppy you are in pain. It will stop the puppy and make him realize he has done wrong.
Jumping on people
Puppies jump on people to get their attention. To stop them from doing that, train them to ‘sit.’ When they sit, listen to them and address their issue. Reinforcing positive behavior will help them in getting rid of the negative ones.
Getting on counters/furniture
It is a common problem in puppies, which you can be addressed with a little bit of training. Put your puppy on a leash, and the moment it tries to jump on furniture, pull the leash, and say, no’. Repeat the process if required. Encourage it to walk to its bed and pat it when it does. The reward for good behavior will encourage it to repeat it.
Jumping
Puppies like to jump at their owners when they see them. They do this out of happiness or excitement. If you encourage this behavior, it will recur. It won’t be much of a problem when the puppy is small, but when he grows up and still jumps at you, it is a problem. To stem this, ignore your puppy jumps and pet him when he gets down on his four paws. It should send the message home.
Inappropriate urination
Inappropriate urination could be an outcome of excitement, anxiety, or submissiveness. There could be a health issue too. You can take care of inappropriate urination by engaging with your puppy. Do not scold or yell at it. Clean the area and leave the puppy alone. When the puppy urinates at the right place, reward it. Positive reinforcement will help him a lot. All these steps will help your puppy overcome this common puppy behavior problem.
Conclusion
We have covered at large all the common behavior problems in dogs. We have also looked at length some of the issues in senior dogs and puppies. Caring for your four-legged furry friend is very important. It will ensure their well-being and longevity.
