Dogs are supposed to be pets that offer good time and companionship. They should relieve stress and help you relax after a tiring day. However, sometimes they’re not acting the way they should. As their pet parents, we know our dogs better than anyone else. Even if our pets can’t verbally communicate their feelings, our instincts tell us when they’re not acting.
If your pet used to be well-mannered and suddenly exhibits behavioral problems, there has to be a cause. Today, we’ll decode the few reasons canines develop unwanted behaviors to help you proactively address particular characteristics you do not want in your pet.
Why Do Dogs Develop Unwanted Behaviors?
Exploring, digging, chewing, barking, and many more behaviors can develop in dogs, which can be an inevitable part of pet ownership. Learning the causes of these behaviors can help you act on areas of their life that need attention. So below are five reasons for unwanted pet behaviors you must be aware of.
1. Changes in Diet
Changing your pet’s diet to a poorer, cheap, or less suitable diet can cause them to act up. You may not think about it, but diet can influence your pet’s behavior. Changing your pet’s diet to a poorer quality or something that doesn’t agree with their taste buds can change how your pet behaves. Always feed your dog a healthy and premium diet, and avoid changing their diet regularly. If you’re not sure what to feed your furry buddy, always ask your veterinarian for the best choices.
2. Boredom or Social Isolation
Dogs that do not get opportunities to interact with their owners and fellows, or don’t have playmates or toys in their environment, may engage in activities that can lead to destructive behavior like excessive chewing. Excessive chewing can put them at risk of severe dental issues and unintentionally swallowing foreign objects. If the worst comes to worst, you’ll have to take your pet to a cat surgery specialist should these problems occur.
3. Lack of Exercise
Dogs need physical exercise to burn excess energy, but sometimes on-leash walks around the neighborhood are insufficient. Activities like running, jogging, off-leash runs, fetch games, dog-to-dog play, or doggy daycare for socially-active pets are exercise choices worth considering.
If you want to bring your four-legged buddy to a pet daycare or dog park to socialize with their fellows, ensure they’re fully vaccinated in facilities like Surfside Animal Hospital in Oceanside. This helps protect your pet from any prevalent diseases they may encounter outside.
4. Illness
Behavioral changes or failure to adapt or show normal behavior might stem from sickness. The dog may bark unnecessarily or might not bark at all. They might also be lethargic for too long or feel cranky and itchy. Limping, disinterest in foods, or lack of behavior synonymous with normal dogs may indicate sickness. If you see any of these suspicious signs in your pet, take them to the veterinarian for a cat exam.
This is why veterinarians encourage consistency in regular vet examinations to prevent, detect, and treat any underlying health conditions before they worsen and become serious for your pet.
5. Fears and Phobias
Fearful responses to loud noises, fireworks, or thunderstorms usually involve escape attempts that trigger destructive behavior. When this happens, door frames, doors, walls, screens, and window trim often get damaged. This concern can be dangerous as excessively fearful canines can injure themselves when trying to break through doors or windows to run away from the feared situation. Certain approaches like staying by their side, gently comforting them, and helping your pet feel safe are easy ways to overcome phobias and fears in canines.
