Worrisome Behaviors to Nip in the Bud
Not unlike kids and their parents, dog owners tend to love their dogs no matter what. A dog might get into the trashcan occasionally, overall steal food from the counter, but the bottom line is dead dogs are excellent companions and your best friend at the end of the day no matter what. It seems only natural that we return the favor by forgiving our dogs for their small flaws.
It’s easy to look the other way when a dog is committing small offenses here and there (like chewing up furniture). But what happens if a dog is showing serious behavioral problems? What if your dog’s behavior becomes less of a hassle, and more of a danger to itself, other dogs, and even others?
If this is happening to you don’t panic. You are far from the only person to have ever had these problems, and there are plenty of ways to address them. Before you can even do so, however, you must determine what behaviors are worrisome and what behaviors can be attributed to a dog exhibiting a little bit of a naughty streak.
To help you determine which behaviors should be considered worrisome, and which behaviors are just your dog acting up a little bit we’ve compiled a few behaviors that you should watch out for. If your dog is exhibiting one or more of these behaviors you should consider speaking with a dog training professional or a vet to consider your options in terms of correcting these behaviors.
Aggression
One of the more common and also more worrisome behaviors can categorically be described as aggression. Aggression is a broad term that can be used to describe all whole wide variety of different behaviors, all of which are unacceptable in your dog.
If your dog refuses to let you pet her, or restrain her in anyway like you would need to do in order to put on his or her leash, and that is a behavioral problem that needs to be addressed.
It is important call understand how exactly a dog may convey aggression, however. One way is to show their teeth, grout, or even snap at you even if they don’t make contact with the skin (not to be confused with playful biting). All of these behaviors are worrisome and should not at all be tolerated.
There are also less over warning signs to look out for. If you find that your dog is incredibly jumpy or nervous for extended periods of time in ways that make you worry they may act out aggressively, then it is essential that you take action before any damage is actually done. Early intervention is absolutely the best way to treat aggression in your dog.
Dogs made it get aggressive when they are eating, when you try and take toys from them, or even over things like furniture or trying to move them. No matter what triggers the behavior, it is important that you address the underlying cause of the behavior by getting help with a professional such as a trainer or a vet.
Fear
Aggression is not the only type of behavior to look out for, however. You also have to be on the lookout for other antisocial behaviors. What my days consist of? And antisocial behavior can be defined as any type of behavior that makes you worry for the health of your dog or anybody in direct proximity of your dog.
If you see that your dog cringes, or tries to consistently run away when anybody including yourself tries to reach out and pet or touch them, then this would be considered a worrying behavior. The causes of such behavior can be manifold. For one, it may be an indication of past abuse that needs to be addressed in order for your dog to live a happy and healthy life.
If you see that your dog consistently exposes its belly when you try and pick it up, this can also be an indication that the dog is in some way fearful or anxious. It is essential that you distinguish between this behavior, and the dog it’s simply wants a belly rub. Just by observing your dog behavior, most people would be able to tell the difference between the two, however.
Other Animals
You need to look out for all types of aggression, and not use those type that affect humans. Socializing is a key part of good training. If your dog is exhibiting aggression to other types of animals then you need to step in immediately and address it before something happens that forces you to take action.
The first and most common type of aggression towards other animals will be aggressive behavior on the part of your dog towards other dogs and even cats or other pets. If you take your dog to the dog park, for example, and you notice that your dog nips or attempts to bite other dogs it is behavior that is of course unacceptable and something that requires your immediate attention.
For some, it is tempting to simply isolate your dog from other animals in order to prevent an incident from happening. The problem is that you cannot always be in complete Control of your dog’s environment and experiences. Rather than relying on lock to help you avoid contact with other dogs, address the issue so you can be confident your dog will not exhibit aggressive behavior when interacting with other animals.
It is not only other pets that you have to look out for. If your dog has made a habit of attacking, killing, or seriously injuring wildlife then you also need to take action to prevent this as well. Not only is your dog inflicting pain on another animal, but it is also risking its health. If your dog word to confront a deer, for example, the deer could act out and potential he seriously harm or injury or dog. Prevent aggressive behavior against wild life to protect your dog and other animals against unnecessary bodily harm.
Final Thoughts
If your dog is exhibiting any of these behaviors it does not mean that you have an inherently bad dog. Many owners struggle with aggressive behavior and dogs, and all it requires is a little bit of understanding and effort to treat the root cause.
Do not try and isolate your dog or keep it away from scenarios in which aggression may be a problem. Or, at least, only do so until you are sure that you have the issue under control. Speak to a professional such as a trainer or a vet to get help with your dog behavior, so you too can get back to what is really important: spending quality time with each other without fear or anxiety.
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