Table of Contents
Introduction
We all love our dogs, but every once in awhile, they can get on our nerves with their bad behavior. While dog behavior problems are common in many pets, if you see them happening with your dog or puppy on a regular basis it’s time to take action. It’s important that you talk to your vet about these issues because the problem could be something more serious than just bad manners.
Growling
Growling is a warning. It’s also a sign of dominance, which means you should be careful about how you respond. If your dog is growling at you, he or she may be trying to establish dominance over you by showing that he or she is the leader of the pack. In this case, it’s important to assert yourself as the alpha dog in order for things to stay healthy in your relationship with them (and vice versa).
If your pup is growling at other people or dogs, it could mean they’re scared or aggressive—or both! If this happens often enough that it becomes an issue for neighbors or family members who come over often, talk with a veterinarian about what other options there are besides giving up on having a pet altogether (like putting them in doggy daycare throughout the week instead so they don’t get too worn out).
Aggression
Dog aggression is a serious problem that should be addressed by a veterinarian. Aggression can be caused by a medical problem or because the dog hasn’t been properly trained, socialized, exercised or given attention.
Aggressive dogs may be aggressive to unfamiliar people or other dogs and even their owners. If you have an aggressive dog in your home, consult with your veterinarian about possible causes and solutions for the behavior
Leash biting
Most people don’t know that leash biting is actually a common problem. Dogs bite the leash because they are bored, anxious or frustrated. You can train your dog to stop this behavior by using positive reinforcement training methods and by giving them lots of attention and praise when they behave well.
If you’re not ready for the commitment of training your dog, one option is an anti-biting collar. These collars use a light electrical current to deter dogs from biting. The collar will beep when it detects pressure on its sensors so that you can tell if your dog is about to bite his leash (or anything else).
Excessive Licking
If your dog licks excessively, there are several things you can do to help. Sometimes excessive licking is a sign of an underlying health problem, so it’s important that you rule out any issues with your veterinarian. Once this has been done, he or she will be able to suggest solutions for the behavior problem.
- First of all, make sure that your pet has plenty of toys available to play with. If they’re bored and understimulated by their environment, they may resort to licking themselves as a way of relieving stress or boredom. Try adding some new stimuli into their lives—a new toy or two should do the trick!
- If this doesn’t work, try providing your pooch with some sort of distraction when it begins licking itself excessively; perhaps take them outside for a walk or ask someone else (maybe even a friend) over so they’ll get distracted by playing with another animal instead? Dogs love being around other dogs! Just make sure not too many people are visiting at once if yours tends towards nervousness when meeting strangers; otherwise their anxiety might just increase from having too many new people entering into its world at once.”
Marking territory
Your dog may be marking territory if he leaves his scent on a tree, a wall, or other vertical surface by urinating. This is normal behavior for dogs and isn’t an indication of illness unless the dog continues to mark after all of his prior medical issues have been ruled out.
If your dog is urinating in inappropriate places because of stress or anxiety, there are things you can do to help him feel more comfortable at home. You should first make sure that any medical issues have been ruled out by visiting the vet; then, you can start working on behaviors that will help reduce stress and anxiety.
Here are some strategies to try:
- Feed him smaller meals at more frequent intervals throughout the day instead of one large meal every day or two days
- Make sure there’s enough space for him to move around without feeling crowded by loved ones who may inadvertently brush up against him while passing through areas where he likes to hang out (for example: underfoot)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Some dogs develop obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which is a common problem in people and can also be seen in animals. OCD can be treated with medication, but it may take some time for the dog to respond. If you’re interested in trying other methods of therapy before resorting to medication, talk with your vet about behavioral training techniques that might help make your dog’s life more comfortable.
In addition to providing medical care for dogs with behavioral problems like OCD, veterinarians are often trained counselors who offer advice on how to cope with animal behavior problems at home. This can include techniques like keeping a diary of when certain behaviors occur so that patterns can be identified and addressed through changes in household routines or training programs.
If your dog has a behavioral problem, take them to the vet!
If you think your dog has behavioral problems, take them to the vet. Your vet can help you with training and diet, which are two of the most important things when it comes to dealing with behavioral problems.
If you have a small dog that is not easy to handle, then consider taking them to a professional trainer who specializes in small dogs.
Conclusion
We hope this blog has helped you understand the importance of talking to a vet about your dog’s behavior. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!