Does Your Dog Need an Attitude Adjustment?

While most people adore their dog, canine companions are not without their troubles. Here is a look at some of the more common behavior problems dog owners may see in their dogs and steps they can take to effectively deal with them. Aggression Your dog's breed, as well as size, can play a role in aggression towards humans. Researchers using the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, a test that has dog owners assess their pet's behavior, found American Cocker Spaniels and Beagles are larger breeds that are most likely to show aggression - biting or bite attempts -towards their owners, and Australian Cattle Dogs are more likely to show aggression towards strangers. The data also showed that Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell Terriers, all small breeds, are most likely to show serious aggression towards both their owners and strangers. Researchers hypothesize that because a small dog cannot do as much damage as a larger or more powerful breed, such as a Pit Bull, dog owners perhaps tend to tolerate this bad behavior more than they would otherwise. Without realizing it, pet owners may be encouraging bad behavior by allowing nipping. Barking Most dogs bark, but some dogs bark more than other dogs. Dogs may bark to alert you someone is at the door or they have to go outside. Some dogs seem to bark just because they can. After researchers at the University of Pennsylvania also analyzed data from the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, they found short dogs with long snouts were especially prone to stubborn barking. Anxiety There are three primary types of canine anxiety that may be affecting your dog. Separation Anxiety Pet owners tend to include their dogs in everything they do. As a result, it doesn't take long for many dogs to come to expect constant companionship. When they are denied this companionship and left to their own devices, they can become destructive or exhibit other bad behaviors, such as barking, to make their feelings known. Noise Anxiety Loud and unexpected noises can startle any dog, just as it would a person. Unfortunately, because a dog's hearing is far more sensitive than a human's, loud noises can also be painful. Dogs with upright ears have more sensitive hearing than dogs with floppy ears. Social Anxiety Dogs who were denied adequate socialization opportunities as puppies may exhibit social anxiety towards humans and their environment. How to Help Your dog's veterinarian is the best source for addressing specific behavior issues you may be having, but there are some tactics that may help in the meantime. Exercise Most dog breeds require regular exercise. Some breeds are naturally more energetic than others, and their individual temperaments may also play a role in their energy level. It's not uncommon for puppies of any breed to be full of curiosity and extremely energetic. In addition to keeping their weight in check, daily exercise can reduce boredom and potentially reduce or eliminate behavior issues. Obedience Training Dogs of any size and breed can struggle with behavior problems, and some dogs just tend to have certain personality traits, such as stubbornness. But according to Psychology Today and researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, small breeds tend to have more behavior issues. Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna also found small dogs - less than 44 pounds - were less obedient than large dogs over 44 pounds. Thankfully, obedience training and positive reinforcement can go a long way towards ensuring your dog behaves properly. Obedience training is also a great opportunity for early socialization with both humans and other dogs. Some dog behaviors may also have underlying health issues, such as a urinary tract infection. Perhaps their diet needs to be evaluated. Occasionally, a dog may require medication to deal with severe anxiety, especially noise anxiety. If you are having behavior issues with your dog - small or large - or have any other concerns, contact us today at Pet Medical Center of Vero Beach to schedule an appointment.