Despite many people being pet lovers, dogs sometimes do things that aren’t likable and loveable. According to a survey, 75% of pet parents like to change and fix their pet dog’s unwanted behaviors. If you’re a pet owner having a tough time with your furry companion’s annoying antics, you’re not alone. Thankfully, some unwanted dog habits can be suppressed with reward-based training and strategies to ease your concern.
So let’s talk about the common dog behaviors fur parents often struggle with.
Unhealthy Dog Behaviors You Should Watch Out for
When you adopt a dog, whether a puppy or a fully-grown one, it’s inevitable to witness annoying and troublesome behaviors. This is a normal thing to see. Canines are like kids that need to be taught and corrected to be well-behaved. Also, your dog’s unhealthy behavior will not go away on its own, so it’s up to you to help them. Below are five canine behavioral issues that need to be corrected.
1. Excessive Chewing
Chewing is normal and a part of how pets are wired. However, it can be troublesome if it gets to the point where your dog is damaging your valuable possessions and causing a mess everywhere. When left ignored, excessive chewing can put them at risk of serious dental problems and accidentally ingesting foreign objects. When this happens, you’ll have to take your pet to vet surgeons to attend to the issue. If you’re looking for professionals to perform surgery on your pet, you may search for “veterinary surgeon near me” for specific results.
This behavior can be easily addressed by giving your pet safe and appropriate dog chew toys and keeping your personal things away. If you see them chewing the wrong thing, distract them and immediately replace it with a chew toy.
2. Jumping Up
Jumping up is often a dog’s way of greeting its owners and looks adorable for smaller dogs. However, they might also do the same to your visitors if this habit is not corrected. Teaching them the sit and stay command can help stop jumping problems.
3. Annoying Hyperactivity
Hyper dogs are different from energetic ones. Energetic pets have longer stamina but still get tired. However, hyperactivity is when dogs don’t switch off and become manic. This can be prevented by helping your pet burn excess energy. Avoid giving them caramel, candies, and sugary foods, as they fuel hyperactivity.
If your pet continues to be hyperactive despite your efforts, you can ask the veterinarian about it when you take them for a regular wellness exam. You may browse the web for more info on the importance of routine vet exams and why you should never skip them.
4. Begging for Food
Begging for food is easier to prevent than cure and is an inevitable part of dog ownership. You can prevent this habit from worsening by putting them away in a dog crate or area with chew toys to occupy themselves during your family’s meal time. By only letting your dog out when you’re done eating, you are training them to restrain themselves from begging or getting food despite being able to smell it.
When you do this, you and your family might have to endure a few days of persistent barking till your pet gets completely trained, but it’ll be worth it after.
It’s also worth noting, though, that when your pet starts being lethargic and losing appetite altogether, it could be a sign of underlying health problems. It’s even worse if they suddenly become anxious and overly sensitive, which could indicate severe illness. Take them to a Salem vet emergency clinic for instant treatment and medical diagnosis of their condition.
5. Stealing Food off Counters
Trainers often call this behavior counter surfing. It’s a challenging habit to break because canines think they’ll get huge rewards by eating everything they can steal from the table.
Here are the best ways to help eliminate it:
- Never leave food unattended.
- Use baby fences to keep your pet from going to the kitchen when you’re not around to monitor them.
- The command “leave it” can also be helpful when you catch them stealing snacks that are not for them.
Conclusion
Unwanted behaviors are common in pet canines. Feeling frustrated when your pet exhibits undesirable behaviors is normal, but sulking around will never address the issue. You can follow the steps mentioned above, but only your veterinarian can help you better if your pet’s behaviors worsen despite your efforts. In some cases, the vet might recommend an experienced dog trainer to curb your pet’s unwanted behaviors that are beyond your control.
