When
Your Dog Has A Behavior Problem
by Valerie Slaughter
While you might not be thrilled at some of the behaviors your
faithful companion has taken on… you need to realize that
your dog isn’t at all bothered by digging, barking, chewing,
jumping, begging for table scraps, chasing cars, getting into
the garbage, being aggressive toward other dogs —these behaviors
are a part of who he is, and has been through the centuries. They
are behaviors he (or she) would have used out in the wild. Your
dog isn’t digging up your garden or chewing on your new shoes
to spite you… he’s not barking because he’s angry
or feeling neglected — he does these things because they
come naturally to him. There’s nothing more to it than that.
Once you understand and accept this, you’ll be in the right
frame of mind to change the bothersome behavior once and for all.
The trick to being successful isn’t at all about brute force
or intimidation — it’s all about using your dog’s
natural inclinations to help you correct the behaviors you don’t
like while still keeping the warm, loving relationship you want
to have with your best friend. It can be done, but it takes time
and a consistent effort to turn those behaviors around.
As you work to change your dog’s bad habits, keep in mind
that…
- Your dog needs enough exercise for his age and breed. Too
little exercise gives him endless energy to dig, to chew, or
to pursue other problem habits. But, if his energy is spent
on walks or runs in the park he isn’t likely to have anything
left over for bad behavior.
- Your dog needs your time and attention — you’ve
heard it before, dogs are social animals. You and the members
of your household are your dog’s pack and he wants to be
with you as much as he can. Many bad behaviors stem from the
dog not having enough time, attention and guidance about what’s
expected and what’s not.
- A visit to the vet might be in order so you can talk about
what’s going on; sometimes bad behavior can stem from pain,
an infection, hormone imbalance or other physical problem —
all of which need to be ruled out first. Other times behavior
problems come from an inborn tendency of the breed. In either
case, an honest talk with your vet can give you a clue about
what you’re up against.
- You need to catch your dog in the act so that your displeasure
can be clearly linked with the act. Reprimand your dog while
he’s nose deep in the hole, not when you find your garden
overturned. A dog just can’t connect your screaming (or
punishment) now with what he’s done in the past —
to him your temper is not in any way connected to that chewed-up
pair of shoes. Over time dogs deal with what they see as unpredictable
anger by loosing trust in you, which brings on even more problems.
- You need to look for the source of the behavior — consider
things other than not enough exercise or time with the family
as reasons for what’s happening. Some dogs tolerate being
alone all day, others don’t. A recent move or the arrival
of a new pet (or baby) in the home are other sources of upset
you should think about.
If you’re struggling with problem behaviors that go beyond
what can be handled by these suggestions, you may want to consider
seeking professional help, which comes in one of two varieties.
A dog trainer will help you handle more straightforward obedience
issues (jumping up on people or furniture, chewing or housetraining
problems) so that you establish the communication needed to get
your dog to understand what’s expected of him.
In cases where a dog’s behavior is motivated by fear, aggression
or anxiety an animal behaviorist may be your only hope of handling
the problem. These pros have advanced training and will work with
you and your dog to get at the root of the problem, and then help
you change the behavior to something more acceptable. In some
cases, intervention by an animal behaviorist is the only hope
of keeping the dog with the family.
The good news is that even the worst behaviors can be changed,
so long as you stay consistent and keep working on the problem.
Talk with other dog owners to see what worked for them. Learn
all you can.
Valerie Slaughter is a veteran marathoner and author of "You
Want To Do What!?" who trained for marathons with her dog,
Sam. For more articles, information and tips about caring for
pets (dogs, cats) visit: doghealthynews.wordpress.com
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