As the saying goes, dogs will be dogs. Being a pet parent will test your patience and your ability to care for another living thing. If you are new to dog ownership or interested in welcoming a dog into your home, one of the most important things to do is to familiarize yourself with the most common dog behavior issues. Having enough familiarity with various canine behaviors allows you to prevent unwanted behavior from becoming an issue.
In this article, we listed some of the most common dog behavior issues to help pet parents understand where these issues come from and how to fix them. Read on to find out more!
Destructive Chewing
What is it: Destructive chewing, or any kind of destructive behavior, typically stems from boredom in dogs. Dogs that frequently engage in destructive chewing behavior may also be experiencing some sort of anxiety and stress.
How to fix it: Inappropriate dog chewing can be dealt with through ample mental and physical exercise. Keeping your dog mentally stimulated prevents boredom and enables you to redirect their attention to something more productive. Another thing that you can do to keep your dog from being bored is to give them plenty of physical exercise. Not only will you be able to prevent your pup from destroying your furniture, but you will also help improve their overall mood.
Separation Anxiety
What is it: In a previous blog post, we mentioned that anxiety is a common response to stressful situations such as abandonment, trauma, and separation. Dogs are inherently social creatures that move in packs. There are probably only a handful of dog breeds that actually enjoy being left alone. To better understand separation anxiety in dogs, here’s a quick explanation from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, “Separation anxiety is triggered when dogs become upset because of separation from their guardians, the people they’re attached to.”
How to fix it: The best way to treat dog anxiety is to first provide them with enough mental and physical exercise. As mentioned above, mental stimulation and physical exercise help curb most unwanted behavior in dogs. Another thing that pet parents can do is to talk to a veterinarian. Your vet will be able to determine your dog’s triggers and suggest treatment strategies to help them overcome their condition.
Inappropriate Elimination
What is it: According to VCA Hospitals, there are a plethora of reasons that a dog might inappropriately eliminate inside your house. Assuming medical causes can be ruled out, some of the more common behavioral causes are a change in owner schedule, a change in housing, or any change in the pet’s home that may cause anxiety.
How to fix it: There are a number of training (and retraining) techniques that pet owners can use to house train a dog. However, the key to effective house training is to determine where the problem comes from and develop a strategy that specifically addresses the root of the problem. As a responsible pet parent, make sure to put in the time and effort necessary to correct this type of unwanted behavior.
Pro Tip: If all else fails, try calming treats
If you’re finding it difficult to train or retrain your pup, calming treats could be a great alternative to curb unwanted canine behavior. Here at Healthy Dog World, we understand the need to look for a supplement that uses a blend of natural calming ingredients. This is why we came up with our own calming treats to soothe and calm anxious pets!
Our calming treats feature a blend of organic hemp seed oil and organic hemp seed powder that helps your dog manage stressful situations from visiting the vet to separation anxiety. It also contains the necessary nutrients and fatty acids such as omega-3, omega-6, and GMA (gamma-linolenic acid) that promote normal growth, boost immune function, and ensure healthy skin and coat.
Interested in learning more about our product? Check out our calming treats by clicking here.
