Dog Troubles and Frustrated Handlers

As a Certified Dog Trainer I am in a position to hear a lot of complaints from people about how their dogs behave. In fact, many owners would have no problem listing behaviours that frustrate, embarrass or annoy them in their dog.

The same behaviours that we consider to be problematic are not problems for dogs, most often these behaviours are the only way our dogs can communicate with us. For example:

1. Dogs bark when they have something to say.
2. Dogs dig when they are bored and to follow scents underground.
3. Dogs chew when they are teething, anxious, bored or feeling uncomfortable in their surroundings.
4. Dogs chase things because it’s their instinct.
5. Dogs are aggressive when they perceive a threat, are nervous or have been under socialized and/or untrained.

Most dogs actually misbehave because their basic care, training and instinctive needs are not being met by the very people that are upset at their behaviour! The following areas need to be addressed before you can hold your dog accountable for their own actions:

A. Health – It commonly believed among canine care professionals that approximately 20% of all behaviour issues result from problems with the dog’s general health. Many dogs begin misbehaving when they are sick or in pain. This is especially true of dogs that suddenly start acting aggressively towards people and touch that were previously not a problem. Always get a thorough check-up from a trusted veterinarian before attempting to treat the problem.
B. Diet – Hyperactivity, anxiety, lethargy and aggression can all be helped or exacerbated by the food you choose to feed your dog. For example a dog food with protein, fat or carbohydrates levels that are higher than your dog needs can cause hyperactivity, while feeding higher protein diets can alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Dogs of different ages, breeds and activity levels may need different types of food throughout their lives. Be sure to read the label of the food before you buy it and seek professional advice if necessary.
C. Exercise – A dog lacking the benefits of regular structured exercise is highly likely to have behaviour problems. Not getting enough exercise is unhealthy and can lead to hyperactivity, excessive barking, and destructive behaviours in dogs. Not getting structured exercise can lead to an imbalanced dog who is unclear of who is leading whom, which can result in anxiety and aggression. Each dog’s exercise needs will vary depending on their breed, age and health. This is a very important consideration when you are choosing a new puppy.
D. Leadership – The importance of consistent, positive leadership for the overall well-being of your dog cannot be stressed enough. Dogs display a vast array of behaviour challenges when they lack a clear positive leader. Aggressive, anxious and destructive behaviours, leg lifting, marking, mounting, barking, etc… can all be avoided with the development of good positive leadership skills.

All dogs develop behaviour problems, none of which evolve spontaneously. These behaviours are the outcome of an interaction between the dog and its environment, including the owner. All canine behaviour issues can be managed and controlled if not completely rehabilitated-all it takes is a genuine commitment to work on it and taking the time to see and understand things from your dog’s perspective. With a little effort and a lot of love, you may find that your dogcan be a model companion.