Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
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An Orange cat eating from a bowl filled with mixed food
Your dog is a wiggly ball of furry love, a four-legged member of your family. But sometimes he can test your patience. His bad dog behavior can drive you crazy in countless ways. But no matter whether your pup is guilty of archaeological digs in your garbage, putting his paws on grandma's shoulders, or nearly pulling your arm out of its socket on walks (squirrel!), you love him. However, that doesn't mean you can't curb the bad dog habits that drive you batty.
So how do you get him to stop? Understanding why your dog behaves the way he does goes a long way to figuring out how to curtail bad dog behavior. Check out these common bad dog habits, why they might be occurring, and how to finally put a stop to them.
Common Bad Habits and Why They Occur
Destructive dog behaviors can almost always be traced to an underlying issue. A dog suffering from behavior problems perhaps is bored, is being accidentally encouraged, or might even be suffering from a medical condition. Here are three causes of the most common bad dog behaviors and what you can do about it.
Boredom
Dogs get bored when they don't get enough exercise or mental stimulus. Most dogs thrive on physical exercise and time with their owners. If you are not exercising your dog regularly or finding ways to play with him, your dog might be suffering from boredom. Boredom can result in bad dog behavior such as nonstop barking, chewing the legs of your dining room table, or digging holes in your prized flower bed.
Accidental Encouragement
You might not realize it, but you could be encouraging bad dog habits. For instance, if you allow your dog to jump on you to give you a "hug," you are encouraging him to do the same to your guests. If you "just occasionally" give in to those sad puppy eyes and sneak your dog a table scrap, you're rewarding him for his behavior. If he barks when he can't reach a toy and you get it for him, you're unintentionally teaching him barking is a way to get your attention.
Possible Medical Issues
Dogs that suddenly show a change in behavior might actually be suffering from a medical issue. For instance, a dog that you believe simply seems to have "forgotten" that he's housebroken might have a bladder infection. Or if your dog is suddenly showing aggressive tendencies when he's always been calm before he might be in pain or suffering from a thyroid issue, according to The Whole Dog Journal. A dog that is driving you crazy with his constant scratching and licking is likely suffering from some sort of skin issue ranging from parasites to food allergies. A dog that scoots his behind on the floor might be suffering from an anal gland disorder.
The ASPCA notes a study, conducted by the Humane Society, that calculates 10 percent of animals are given up to shelters each year because of behavior issues. Most of those issues can be solved by taking a step back and determining why a dog has the bad habits he does. Once you know the why behind a behavior, you can figure out how to solve the problem. With consistency, positive reinforcement and patience, you can change your dog's behavior. And never be afraid to reach out for help. If you're at your wit's end, take an obedience class or visit your vet.
Just remember: changing your pet's bad behaviors can be a rewarding process and, when done with positive reinforcement, care and love, you may forge an even stronger bond between you and your four-legged friend. Dogs are not necessarily destructive or acting out, they just simply do not know any better. Just like children, dogs require help understanding what they can and cannot do. The more you work with them, the better chance they have at turning out to be a little gentleman.
Kara Murphy is a freelance writer and pet parent who lives in Erie, Pa. She has a goldendoodle named Maddie.
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
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Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.