Common Behavioural Issues In Pets (And What To Do About Them!)

Barking and vocalisations are a natural way for dogs to communicate. Research indicates that 60-70% of pet dogs bark at strangers, which is completely normal. However, when barking becomes persistent or problematic, it’s important to take a closer look at the cause of the behaviour.

Common triggers for excessive barking include:

• Boredom or Lack of Mental Stimulation: Dogs, especially active or intelligent breeds, require mental stimulation to stay engaged and content. Without adequate mental challenges, such as puzzle toys, training sessions, or interactive play, your pup may start barking excessively out of boredom. This becomes especially apparent if they are left alone for long periods or don’t have enough activities to do during the day.
• Territorial Responses: Many dogs are naturally protective of their homes and their territory. Barking at visitors, delivery people, or passersby is often a sign of territorial behaviour. It’s your dog’s way of alerting you that someone is near their space. While this is a natural response, it can become excessive if the dog barks at every noise or movement, even when there’s no real threat.
• Attention-Seeking Behaviour: Some dogs learn that barking gets them the attention they want. Whether it’s barking for food, to be let outside, or to play, this behaviour can become habitual if the dog learns that it brings a reward. It’s especially common in dogs that are left alone frequently or have learned that barking can lead to interaction from their owners.
•  Fear or Anxiety-Related Responses: Dogs that are fearful or anxious often bark as a response to stressful situations. This could include barking at loud noises (such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or sirens), at unfamiliar environments, or when they are left alone. Anxiety-related barking is often accompanied by other signs of distress, such as pacing, drooling, or destruction of household items.

How to Manage Excessive Barking

• Mental Stimulation: One of the most effective ways to reduce barking caused by boredom is to ensure your dog has enough mental stimulation throughout the day. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, or even learning new tricks can keep your dog’s mind engaged and reduce the urge to bark out of boredom. Additionally, regular training sessions can tire out your dog, making them less likely to engage in unnecessary barking.
• Desensitisation: If your dog’s barking is triggered by certain stimuli, such as visitors or other dogs passing by the window, you can work on desensitising them to these triggers. Gradually expose your dog to these situations at a controlled level, rewarding calm behaviour with treats or praise. Over time, this will help your dog become less reactive and more relaxed in the face of the trigger.
• Consistency is Key: Inconsistent responses to barking can confuse your dog and make the behaviour more difficult to correct. Be sure that everyone in your household responds the same way to barking, whether it’s ignoring the behaviour or reinforcing calm behaviour. The more consistent you are, the quicker your dog will learn what is expected.

Separation anxiety can be one of the most distressing behavioural issues for both dogs and their owners. It occurs when a dog becomes anxious or upset when separated from their guardian. This condition can be difficult for both the dog and their family, as it can manifest in a range of troubling behaviours that reflect the dog’s stress and discomfort.

Signs of separation anxiety can include:

• Destructive Behaviour Near Exit Points: Dogs may chew on or scratch on doors and windowsills in an attempt to escape or in response to their anxiety. This can also extend to damaging furniture or other household items as a way to express their frustration.
• Excessive Drooling or Panting: Dogs suffering from separation anxiety may exhibit excessive drooling or panting, even when there is no physical exertion.
• Accidents Indoors: When dogs experience separation anxiety, they may lose control of their bladder or bowels and have accidents indoors, even if they are normally house-trained. This behaviour is often a sign of extreme stress and emotional upset caused by being separated from their person.
• Constant Barking, Howling, or Whining: A common sign of separation anxiety is excessive vocalisation. This is their way of expressing distress and attempting to call out for their guardian, as they feel insecure and frightened without them.

How to Manage Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Managing separation anxiety requires patience, understanding, and consistent training. While it can take time, with the right approach, dogs can learn to cope with being alone.

•   Gradual Desensitisation: This process involves slowly getting your dog accustomed to being alone for increasingly longer periods of time. Start by leaving your dog alone for short periods, even if it’s just a few minutes, and gradually increase the time as they become more comfortable.
• Create Positive Associations with Alone Time: To reinforce calmness, try associating your departure with something positive. For example, you could leave a special toy or a puzzle feeder filled with treats to keep your dog occupied. This helps them connect being alone with a rewarding experience, which can alleviate some of their anxiety.
•  Establish a Consistent Routine: Dogs thrive on routine, and an inconsistent schedule can increase anxiety. Try to keep your dog’s daily routine as consistent as possible, especially when it comes to feeding, exercise, and departure times. Knowing what to expect can provide a sense of stability and reassurance.
• Provide a Comfortable and Safe Space: Make sure your dog has a designated, comfortable space where they feel secure. This might be a crate, a quiet room, or a specific area where they feel safe. Keep their favourite bedding, toys, and water bowl nearby, and ensure the space is free from distractions or anything that might add to their stress.
•  Exercise Before Leaving: Before you leave your pet alone, take them for a walk or engage in some form of physical exercise. This can help tire them out and reduce anxiety. A physically tired dog is less likely to engage in destructive or anxious behaviours when left alone.
• Avoid Punishment: It’s important to avoid punishing your dog for behaviours related to separation anxiety, such as chewing or barking excessively. Punishment can worsen their anxiety and cause more distress. Instead, focus on redirecting their behaviour and reinforcing calmness.

Chewing is a natural and essential behaviour in dogs. Puppies, in particular, are prone to chewing as they explore their world and ease the discomfort that comes with teething. But without training, it can quickly become destructive.

Common Causes of Destructive Chewing

• Teething (Especially in Puppies Under 12 Months): As puppies go through the teething process, their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth emerge, causing discomfort in their gums. This leads them to chew on objects to relieve the pain and pressure. Typically, teething behaviour subsides once their adult teeth have fully erupted, usually by the time they reach 6-12 months.
•  Exploration of Their Environment: Dogs, especially young puppies, explore the world with their mouths. This natural instinct drives them to chew as a way of investigating their surroundings. It’s how they interact with new textures, tastes, and smells.
•  Anxiety or Stress: Dogs may chew destructively as a way of coping with anxiety or stress. This could include separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, or stress from changes in their environment (such as moving to a new home). Chewing helps some dogs self-soothe during stressful situations.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: A lack of proper nutrition can also lead to unusual chewing behaviours. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in minerals like iron and calcium, can cause your dog to chew on things they normally wouldn’t. It’s important to ensure your dog is on a well-balanced diet, and if chewing persists, a vet checkup can rule out any dietary issues.
• Boredom or Lack of Exercise: Dogs that don’t get enough exercise or mental engagement may resort to chewing as a way to release pent-up energy. Bored dogs often chew to entertain themselves, and this behaviour can become more destructive the longer they are left without proper outlets for their energy.

Jumping is a natural greeting behaviour for dogs, as they often seek attention or excitement when interacting with humans. However, it is an unwanted behaviour for many owners.

Here’s how you can help curb the jumping behaviour and teach your dog to greet people in a calmer, more respectful way:

• Teach the “Four on the Floor” Rule: Start by teaching your dog that keeping all four paws on the ground is the desired behaviour. When they jump up, gently guide them back down and only reward them when they’re standing or sitting calmly with all paws on the floor. This reinforces that calm greetings are the right way to get attention.
• Reward Calm Behaviour: Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement. Each time your dog approaches a person without jumping, offer praise, treats, or affection. This rewards calmness and helps your dog understand that this behaviour is preferred. Make sure the rewards are immediate and consistent to strengthen the connection.
• Be Consistent in Your Responses: Consistency is key in training. Everyone in the household should use the same commands and respond the same way when the dog jumps. If some people allow the jumping and others don’t, it can confuse your dog, making the behaviour harder to correct.
• Use a Leash During Initial Training: When you’re working on this behaviour, using a leash can be helpful to control your dog’s movements. By gently guiding your dog away from jumping on people, you can reinforce the desired greeting behaviour. This also provides you with better control in situations where you might not be able to intervene quickly enough.
•  Redirect with Alternative Behaviours: Most dogs jump out of excitement, and redirecting their energy can help. Encourage them to sit, lie down, or shake paws before giving attention. Teaching them these alternative behaviours gives them an outlet for their excitement and ensures a more respectful greeting.

House-soiling is a common issue that can affect both puppies and adult dogs. While puppies are still learning the ropes of house training, adult dogs can also experience accidents indoors.

Common Causes of Indoor Accidents

• Medical Conditions Requiring Vet Attention: Medical issues, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney disease, or gastrointestinal problems, can make it difficult for dogs to control their bladder or bowels. These conditions can cause increased frequency of urination, urgency, or even incontinence.
•  Limited Outdoor Access or Inconsistent Bathroom Routines: Dogs rely on consistent potty breaks to avoid accidents. If your dog isn’t getting enough outdoor access or their bathroom routine is irregular, they may have trouble holding it.
• Anxiety-Related Issues: Anxiety can also cause accidents. This might occur during stressful situations, such as when you’re gone for a long time (separation anxiety), when there are changes in the household (e.g., a new pet or a baby), or during loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks.
• Previous Living Conditions: Dogs adopted from shelters or have been rescued might have developed poor bathroom habits due to lack of training or stress in their previous environment. If a dog was left in a confined space or had limited access to outdoor areas, they may have learned to relieve themselves indoors out of necessity. It can take time for them to adjust to new rules and expectations in a stable home.

How to Address Indoor Accidents

•  Establish a Consistent Potty Routine: A consistent potty routine is key to avoiding indoor accidents. Take your dog outside at regular intervals, especially after meals, naps, playtime, and first thing in the morning. This helps reinforce the idea that there is a designated time and place for bathroom breaks. Puppies, in particular, may need more frequent potty breaks.
• Ensure Easy Access to Outdoor Bathroom Areas: Make sure your dog has easy access to a designated bathroom area outdoors. If you’re away for long periods, consider providing access to a dog door or arranging for a pet sitter to take your dog out regularly. For dogs in apartments or homes without yards, you might need to schedule additional outdoor walks or bathroom breaks throughout the day.
• Consult a Veterinarian: If accidents persist, a visit to the vet is necessary to rule out medical conditions like UTIs, kidney disease, or other health issues that could be causing incontinence or frequent urination. Early detection and treatment can help resolve these issues quickly and prevent further accidents.
•  Patience and Positive Reinforcement: Avoid punishment when your dog has an accident indoors. Punishment can create fear and confusion, making the problem worse. Instead, focus on rewarding your dog for going outside to do their business. Positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, or affection, will encourage your dog to continue using the bathroom in the appropriate place.
•  Reduce Anxiety Triggers: If anxiety is the cause of your dog’s indoor accidents, work to identify and minimise stressors. Create a safe, quiet space where your dog can retreat when feeling anxious. For separation anxiety, gradual desensitisation training and providing comforting items can help ease your dog’s anxiety.