Common Dog Behaviour Problems

Common Dog Behaviour Problems

• Common issues include barking, jumping, and chewing; often misunderstood by owners.
• Understanding these problems is crucial to prevention and resolution.
• Consistency in obedience training is essential to mitigate these behaviours.
• Behaviour modification plans must be tailored to individual dogs and situations.

Physical and Mental Exercise

• Lack of proper exercise leads dogs to engage in nuisance behaviours.
• Increasing daily physical activity can reduce common behaviour problems.
• Dogs have significant mental energy needs; inadequate stimulation can prompt destructive behaviours.
• Engaging dogs through constructive brain games can reduce excess mental energy.

Brain Games

• Activities that require problem-solving and focus help reduce mental energy.
• Suggested resources include "Brain Games" by Claire Arrowsmith.

Behaviour History and Assessment

• Evaluating behaviour history helps identify specific issues.
• Key assessment points: Who is involved? What has been attempted? Where and when does behaviour occur? Why does the owner believe the dog is acting this way?

Prevention and Management

• Focus on preventing unwanted behaviour patterns through management strategies.
• Change the dog's environment to minimize opportunities for undesirable behaviours.

Medical Considerations

• Refer to a veterinarian for sudden behaviour changes to rule out underlying medical issues.
• Behaviour modifications cannot fix medical conditions.

Training Approaches

• Consistent, patient training is necessary for behaviour modification.
• Reinforce good behaviour and redirect inappropriate actions to encourage positive habits.

Impulse Control

• Many behaviour problems stem from insufficient impulse control.
• Cues like "tug," "leave it," and "stay" can help teach calmness and impulse regulation.

Chewing and Digging

• Chewing can be natural but problematic if it leads to destruction; causes include teething, boredom, and anxiety.
• Provide appropriate chew toys and monitor personal items to prevent inappropriate chewing.
• Dogs dig due to curiosity, boredom, or seeking attention; provide diversions and adequate exercise to minimize digging.

Leash Training

• Puppies may resist collars initially; gradual adaptation is important.
• Prevent reinforcing stopping behaviour by encouraging forward movement with treats and praise.

Counter Surfing

• Prevent access to dangerous items on counters by removing clutter and rewarding alternative behaviours.
• Use barriers like X pens to stop counter surfing habits.

Polydipsia and Coprophagia

• Excessive thirst may indicate health issues; immediate vet consultation is necessary.
• Dogs may eat feces due to deficiencies, boredom, or anxiety; keep living areas clean and monitor behaviour closely.

Pica

• Pica involves eating non-food items; potential causes include attention-seeking, boredom, or underlying medical issues.
• Provide ample exercise and redirect to acceptable chew items; obedience training can help prevent this behaviour.

Hard Mouth and Inhaling Food

• Teach gentle treat-taking to prevent snapping; avoid rewarding hard-mouthed behaviour.
• To combat fast eating, schedule regular meals, use special bowls, or interactive toys to slow down food consumption.

Jumping on Furniture

• Attitudes towards furniture-jumping vary; clear household rules should be established early.
• Consistent enforcement of "off the furniture" as a house rule is vital for behaviour management.### Training Challenges with Dogs
• An uncooperative dog can hinder training progress, leading to unfairness in behavior management.
• To limit a dog's access to furniture, items like TV trays or ottomans can be placed strategically in front of the sofa.
• Covering furniture with a couch cover can also deter dogs from jumping on furniture.
• When removing a dog from furniture, be gentle; avoid physical contact unless lifting a small or puppy dog.
• Larger dogs should be lured or cued to get off furniture and rewarded for returning to the floor.
• Aggression in dogs can be triggered by forceful removal from comfortable spots due to pain or defense response.
• Orthopedic issues in dogs are common and can lead to aggressive reactions if they are forced to jump down.

Understanding Commands: "OFF" vs. "DOWN"

• "Down" indicates lying flat, while "Off" signifies moving off surfaces like beds or couches.
• Teach the "Off" cue by starting with the dog on a blanket; use an upbeat tone and reward when the dog exits the blanket.
• As the dog masters the cue, progress to not using treats as lures and reward for following the cue instead.

Addressing Fear of Car Rides and Motion Sickness

• Some dogs may experience anxiety in cars, leading to symptoms like drooling, shaking, or vomiting.
• True car sickness stems from inner ear issues, but most cases relate to fear of motion or noise.
• To acclimate dogs to car rides, positive reinforcement is key.

Steps to Make Dogs Comfortable in Cars

• Share treats in the car while it's stationary; create a positive environment before moving to the next steps.
• Feed dogs in proximity to the car to foster familiarity.
• Gradually introduce the sound of the engine while continuing positive interactions.
• Increase driveway movements and incorporate enjoyable chew toys and treats during the ride.
• Slowly extend the time spent in the car while maintaining a calm demeanor and reinforcement.

Calming Techniques for Anxious Dogs

• Non-prescription calming products like Serene-um, Pet Calm, and Rescue Remedy may help; vet-prescribed anti-anxiety medications are options for severe cases.
• Early exposure of puppies to car rides can facilitate easier adaptation in the future.
• Dogs typically outgrow anxiety related to car rides; avoid associating car rides solely with negative experiences, like vet visits.
• Crate training may help, and covering the crate can provide a safe space during travel.
• Never force a dog into the car, as this can exacerbate fear.

Cat-Dog Introductions

• Introductions between dogs and cats should be gradual to promote a positive relationship. Avoid sudden mixing of pets to reduce stress.