Top 3 Problem Behaviors
Certain behaviors consistently rank among top concerns of dog owners. Chewing, barking, aggression, etc. are the chief reasons animals are surrendered. Ease consumer tensions and help reduce the number of post-holiday surrenders by offering this guide for solving problem behaviors from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Excessive Barking:
Barking isn’t often a quick fix. Dogs bark for many reasons: to say hello, to express frustration, because they are excited or happy, to warn other dogs to stay away from their territory, when they play, the list goes on and on. A certain amount of barking is to be expected.
With the help of an animal behaviorist or veterinarian, you can determine the factors that cause incessant barking. Since those triggers vary greatly from dog to dog, owners can start by keeping in mind what not to do around a “barker.”
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Don’t encourage a dog to bark at strangers by repeating the same action each time a new person comes to the door. Shouting, ‘who is it?’, for example, signals barking behavior each and every time those words are spoken.
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If barking is triggered in response to sound, don’t punish the dog for barking at some sounds, i.e., children playing – while at the same time rewarding the animal for barking at strangers. Inconsistencies only confuse dogs.
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Don’t punish your dog for barking out of fear or anxiety. These actions can only escalate the problem.
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Never forcefully muzzle a dog for long periods of time.
Destructive Chewing:
Dogs explore with their mouths. Lacking the dexterity of human fingers, it is their own way of getting to know their surroundings. Puppies also chew to relieve the discomfort of teething and older dogs chew in response to separation anxiety and pent-up energy. A few basic guidelines should keep chewing in check:
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Getting down on your hands and knees helps to better puppy proof a household. At their level, you’ll discover chewing temptations, like old slippers, newspapers and the like.
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Invest in a wide variety of appropriate chew toys. Make them available when the behaviors are most prevalent. Save your dog’s favorites for the crate, when separation anxiety is at its peak.
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Reward appropriate chewing with verbal praise and treats. Dogs want to please their owners. When they get the message that certain forms of chewing are OK, behaviors tend to fade.
Jumping:
Dogs jump as an instinctual way to greet their pack members. We just happen to be taller than they are, preventing them from bumping noses with us. A deeply engrained behavior like this is not an easy habit to break. It’s easy for owners to become frustrated and overwhelmed by the problem. The biggest strategy for deterrence is ignoring the behavior. It may help to remind owners what not to do in this situation.
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Don’t get excited to see your dog after a long day at the office. As counterintuitive as this may seem, excitement often triggers jumping behaviors.
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Don’t raise your voice in anger. Dogs have little concept of human emotion. They may easily confuse anger with excitement, reinforcing unwanted jumping.
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Don’t touch your dog. Physical contact is seen as an answer in approval to the dog’s behavior. It’s just what a dog hopes to achieve when jumping up on its owner.
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