Despite many people being pet lovers, dogs sometimes do things that are not pleasant and loveable. According to a study, 75% of pet parents like to change and fix their pet dog’s unwanted behaviors. If you’re a pet owner having a hard time with your furry companion’s annoying antics, you’re not alone. Fortunately, some unwanted pet habits can be tamed with reward-based training and strategies to alleviate your concern.
So let’s talk about the common dog behaviors pet 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 frustrating and bothersome behaviors. This is a normal thing to see. Pets are like children that need to be taught and corrected to be well-behaved. Also, your canine’s unhealthy behavior will not disappear on its own, so it’s up to you to help them. Below are five dog behavioral problems that need to be corrected.
1. Stealing Food off Counters
Trainers often call this behavior counter surfing. It’s a tough habit to break because dogs think they’ll get huge rewards by consuming 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 aren’t for them.
2. Begging for Food
Begging for food is easier to prevent than fix and is an inevitable part of pet ownership. You can prevent this habit from worsening by putting them away in a crate or room with chew toys to occupy themselves during your family’s meal time. By only letting your dog out when you’re finished 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 may have to endure a few days of persistent barking until your pet gets completely trained, but it’ll be worth it after.
It’s worth noting, though, that when your pet starts being lethargic and losing appetite altogether, it could be a symptom of underlying health issues. It’s even worse if they suddenly become anxious and overly sensitive, as this could be a sign of serious illness. Take them to a Salem emergency pet clinic for immediate treatment and diagnosis of their condition.
3. Annoying Hyperactivity
Hyper dogs are different from energetic ones. Energetic dogs have longer stamina but still get tired. However, hyperactivity is when pets don’t switch off and become manic. This can be prevented by helping your pet burn excess energy. Avoid giving them candies, caramel, and sugary foods, as they fuel hyperactivity. If your pet continues to be hyperactive despite your efforts, you can ask the vet about it when you take them for a regular wellness exam.
If you’re looking for facilities to have your pet checked, you may search for “dog checkup near me” to see accurate results.
4. Excessive Chewing
Chewing is normal and a part of how pets are wired. However, it can be problematic if it gets to the point where your canine is damaging your valuable possessions and causing a mess everywhere. When left ignored, excessive chewing can put them at risk of severe dental problems and accidentally swallowing foreign objects. When this happens, you’ll have to take your pet to veterinary surgeons to attend to the problem. You may check their surgery page to see the common pet surgical procedures.
This behavior can be easily fixed by providing your pet with appropriate and safe canine 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.
5. Jumping Up
Jumping up is usually 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.
Conclusion
Unwanted behaviors are common in pet canines. Feeling frustrated when your pet exhibits undesirable behaviors is normal, but sulking around will never solve the problem. You can follow the steps discussed above, but only your veterinarian can help you better if your pet’s behaviors exacerbate despite your efforts. In some cases, the vet may recommend a skilled dog trainer to curb your pet’s unwanted behaviors that are beyond your control.
