Are you struggling with your dog’s behaviour? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many dog owners face common behaviour problems in their furry friends, from barking excessively to digging up the yard. But the good news is that most behaviour problems can be corrected with a bit of patience and effort.

So what causes abnormal behaviour in dogs? There are a few common factors to consider. Lack of training, boredom, anxiety and medical issues can all contribute to behavioural issues in dogs. It’s important to identify the root cause of your dog’s behaviour problems and take steps to address them.

But how do you know if your dog has behaviour problems? There are a few key signs to look out for. If your dog is barking excessively, chewing on inappropriate objects, or ignoring commands, they may be exhibiting behavioural issues. Other common issues in dogs include separation anxiety, aggression towards other dogs or people, and inappropriate play.

This article will cover common behavioural problems in dogs and how to fix them. Whether you’re dealing with house training issues, chewing, digging, or any other problem, you’ll find practical solutions to help you and your furry friend live happily together.

What Are Signs Of Behavioral Issues In Dogs?

Before we dive into the common behavioural issues in dogs and how to fix them, let’s talk about how to recognize when your dog is exhibiting abnormal behaviour. Here are a few key signs to look out for:

Barking excessively: If your dog is barking excessively, it could be a sign of boredom, anxiety, or a lack of training. To address this behaviour, you can provide plenty of mental and physical exercise, use a crate or confinement area when you’re not home, and consider using a barking collar or other training aid.

Chewing on inappropriate objects: Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs, but it can become a problem when they chew on inappropriate objects such as shoes or furniture. To prevent chewing, you can provide plenty of chew toys, keep your dog’s environment free of tempting items, and consider using a bitter-tasting chew deterrent spray.

Digging up the yard: Digging is another natural behaviour for dogs, but it can become a problem if your dog is digging up your garden or digging holes in the yard. To prevent digging, you can provide your dog with a designated digging area, redirect your dog’s digging behaviour to a toy or puzzle feeder, and ensure that your dog is getting enough mental and physical exercise.

Biting: Biting is a common behaviour problem in dogs, especially in puppies and young dogs. Biting can be a sign of a lack of training, a lack of socialisation, or a lack of mental and physical exercise. To prevent biting, you can provide plenty of socialisation and training opportunities, use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate bite inhibition, and consider using a muzzle or other training aid if necessary. If your dog’s biting persists or becomes severe, seek the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist for further guidance and support.

Below we’ll dive into these common dog behavioural problems and more: 

Common Behavioral Problems In Dogs & How To Fix Them

Dogs Going To The Loo In The House

We’ve all been there when you come home to that smell. House soiling is a common behaviour problem in dogs, and it can be a sign of a medical issue, a lack of house training, or a lack of attention.

How To Stop Dogs From Peeing Or Pooing In The House? 

To fix house training problems, you can establish a regular schedule for potty breaks and reward your dog for going outside, keep your four-legged friend’s environment clean and free of any tempting smells, and consider using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home. If your dog has accidents inside, avoid punishing them – instead, try to identify any potential triggers and take steps to prevent future accidents.

Chewing

Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs, and it is important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, satisfying natural instincts, and relieving boredom or anxiety. However, chewing can become a problem if it is directed at inappropriate objects or if it is not controlled through training and management. Some common reasons why dogs chew include teething, instinctual behaviour, boredom or anxiety, attention-seeking, and medical issues. It is important to address chewing as soon as possible in order to prevent damage to your property and to prevent your dog from potentially harming themselves. 

How To Stop Dogs From Chewing Everything?

To fix chewing issues, you can provide your dog with plenty of appropriate chew toys and redirect their chewing to those toys, use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate chewing behaviours, and consider using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to inappropriate objects. If your dog’s chewing persists, seek the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist.

Digging

Digging is a natural behaviour in dogs, but it can become a problem if your dog digs up your yard or garden. It can be a sign of boredom, frustration, hunting instincts, play, attention-seeking, anxiety or stress, or territorial behaviour. Digging can be a destructive behaviour, and it is important to address it as soon as possible in order to prevent damage to your property and prevent your dog from potentially harming themselves. 

How To Stop Dogs From Digging Everything Up?

To fix digging issues, you can provide your dog with a designated digging area and redirect their digging to that area, use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate digging behaviours, and consider using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to inappropriate digging areas. 

Biting

Biting is a common behaviour problem in dogs, and it can be a sign of a lack of socialization, a lack of training, or a lack of mental and physical exercise. Biting can also be caused by pain or discomfort, fear or anxiety, territorial behaviour, or protective behaviour. It is important to address biting as soon as possible in order to prevent injury and promote healthy socialization and training.

How To Stop Dogs From Biting? 

To fix biting issues, you can use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate biting behaviours, seek the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist, and consider using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to inappropriate biting objects. If your dog’s biting persists or becomes severe, seek the help of a veterinarian or behaviourist.

Ignoring Commands

Ignoring commands can be a common behaviour problem in dogs, and it can be a sign of a lack of training, a lack of motivation, or a lack of attention. It can be frustrating for owners when their dogs ignore commands, but it’s important to remember that dogs are not intentionally being disobedient – they just need proper guidance and training to learn how to obey. 

How To Stop Your Dog From Ignoring Commands? 

To fix your dog ignoring commands, you can use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog to obey commands, establish a regular training schedule and stick to it, and consider using food rewards or toys to motivate your dog to obey. If your dog’s ignoring commands persists or becomes severe, seek the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist for further guidance and support.

Aggression Toward People And Other Dogs

Aggression toward people and other dogs is a common behaviour problem in dogs, and it can be a sign of fear, anxiety, territorial behaviour, or a lack of training. It’s important to remember that aggression is a natural behaviour for dogs, and it can serve a variety of purposes, such as protection or dominance. However, aggression can also be dangerous, and it is important to address it as soon as possible in order to prevent injury to people or other animals.

How To Stop Your Dog From Being Aggressive? 

To fix aggression issues, you can seek the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist; or work out what is triggering the aggression yourself. Come up with a plan that may include training techniques, environmental modification, or a combination of these approaches. Then use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate social behaviours, and consider using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to inappropriate aggression triggers. 

Medication is a popular remedy for aggressive behaviour in dogs. However, it should be a last resort as there is nearly always something triggering your dog’s aggressive behaviour, so try to fix that first. 

Whining For Attention

Whining for attention is a common behaviour problem in dogs, and it can be a sign of boredom, anxiety, or a lack of training. It can be frustrating for owners when their dogs whine for attention, but it’s important to remember that dogs are not trying to be annoying – they just want to communicate their needs and get the attention they crave. 

How To Stop Your Dog From Constantly Whining? 

To fix whining for attention issues, it’s important to establish a regular schedule for attention, exercise, and mental stimulation, use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate attention-seeking behaviours, and consider using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to inappropriate attention-seeking behaviours. With a little bit of training and patience, you and your pup can learn to communicate effectively and enjoy a happy, harmonious relationship.

Barking Excessively

Barking excessively is a common behaviour problem in dogs, and it can be a sign of boredom, anxiety, or a lack of training. It can be annoying for owners when their dogs bark excessively, but it’s important to remember that dogs are not trying to be a “barking nuisance” – they just want to communicate their needs and alert us to potential dangers. 

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking Continually?

To fix barking excessively issues, it’s important to provide plenty of mental and physical exercise, use a crate or confinement area when you’re not home, and consider using a barking collar or other training aid. It’s also important to identify the underlying cause of the barking and address it, whether it’s boredom, anxiety, or a lack of training. With a little bit of training and patience, you and your pup can learn to “bark less, wag more” and enjoy a happy, harmonious relationship.

Barking At The Door

Barking at the door is a common behaviour problem in dogs, and it can be a sign of boredom, anxiety, or a lack of training. It can be annoying for owners when their dogs bark at the door, but it’s important to remember that dogs are not trying to be a “door-drama queen” – they just want to communicate their needs and alert us to potential dangers.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking At The Door? 

To fix barking at the door issues, it’s important to establish a regular schedule for attention, exercise, and mental stimulation, use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate door-barking behaviours, and consider using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to inappropriate door-barking behaviours. It’s also important to identify the underlying cause of the barking and address it, whether it’s boredom, anxiety, or a lack of training. With the right approach, you and your pup can learn to keep the noise down when your doorbell goes and enjoy a happy, harmonious relationship with each other and your visitors.

Barking At Strangers

Barking at strangers is common in dogs, and it can be a sign of fear, anxiety, or a lack of socialization. It can be intimidating for owners and strangers when their dogs bark at strangers, but it’s important to remember that dogs are not trying to be a “stranger danger alarm” – they just want to communicate their needs and alert us to potential dangers. 

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking At Strangers? 

To stop dogs from barking at strangers, it’s important to provide plenty of socialization opportunities for your dog, use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate stranger-barking behaviours, and consider using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to inappropriate stranger-barking behaviours. It’s also important to identify the underlying cause of the barking and address it, whether it’s fear, anxiety, or a lack of socialization. 

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common behaviour problem in dogs that can cause a lot of stress and discomfort for both owners and their pets. It occurs when a dog becomes anxious or distressed when separated from their owner or primary caregiver. This can manifest in different ways, such as excessive barking, whining, pacing, and even destructive behaviour. If your dog is exhibiting signs of separation anxiety, it’s important to remember that they are not trying to cause trouble – they just want to be with you and feel safe and secure.

How To Stop Your Dog From Experiencing Separation Anxiety?

To help your dog overcome separation anxiety, it’s important to establish a regular routine for attention, exercise, and mental stimulation. This can help your dog feel more confident and self-assured when you’re not around. You can also use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate separation behaviours, such as using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home. This can provide a sense of security and familiarity for your dog and prevent access to inappropriate separation behaviours.

It’s also important to identify the underlying cause of your dog’s separation anxiety and address it. This might involve providing more attention and exercise, addressing any underlying medical conditions, or seeking the help of a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer. With the right approach, patience, and understanding, you and your furry friend can overcome separation anxiety and enjoy a happy, harmonious relationship even when you’re apart.

Pulling On The Leash:

Leash pulling is a common behaviour problem in dogs that can be frustrating and even dangerous for owners and their pets. It occurs when a dog pulls on their leash while being walked, either to get to a specific location or object or to escape the walk altogether. This can be a sign of excitement, anxiety, or a lack of training, and it can make it difficult to enjoy a peaceful walk with your dog.

How To Stop Dogs From Pulling On Their Lead?

To help your dog stop pulling on their leash, it’s important to use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate leash-walking behaviours. This might involve using a special training collar or harness, treats or toys to motivate your dog to walk beside you, or a “no pull” leash that helps control your dog’s movement. Establishing a regular routine for leash training and being patient and consistent in your approach is also important.

Jumping Up On People

Jumping up is a common behaviour problem in dogs that can be frustrating and even dangerous for owners and their pets. It occurs when a dog jumps up on people to greet them or get their attention. This can be a sign of excitement, anxiety, or a lack of training, and it can make it difficult to enjoy a peaceful visit with your dog.

How To Stop Your Dog From Jumping Up?

To help your dog stop jumping up, it’s important to use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog appropriate greeting behaviours. This might involve using treats or toys to motivate your dog to sit or stay when someone approaches or using a “no jump” leash or harness to help control your dog’s movement. It’s also important to establish a regular greeting training routine and be patient and consistent in your approach. This way, your dog will understand what they should be doing as apprised just being told what not to do.  

Fearful Or Timid Behaviour

Fearful or timid behaviour is a common behaviour problem in dogs that can be a “scary” situation to manage and can lead to other problems such as aggression or separation anxiety. It occurs when a dog is “frazzle-dazzled” or anxious in certain situations, such as when they are around new people or animals, in unfamiliar environments, or during loud or stressful events. This can be a sign of a lack of socialization, a history of abuse or neglect, or a genetic predisposition to anxiety.

How To Stop Your Dog From Exsibiting Fearful Or Timid Behaviour?

To help your dog overcome fearful or timid behaviour, it’s important to provide a safe and comfortable environment and gradually expose them to new experiences. This might involve using positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog to feel more “paws-itive” and relaxed in new situations or using calming aids such as pheromone sprays or anxiety wraps to help “calm their nerves.” It’s also important to consult with a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer to rule out any medical or behavioural issues that might be “ruffling” your dog’s feathers.

With the right techniques and a little bit of patience, you can help your furry friend overcome their fears and build the confidence they need to “thrive” in any situation. Remember, “no fear, all cheer” is the motto when it comes to helping your pup feel their best!

Maternal Behaviour In Non-Pregnant Female Dogs (Pseudopregnancy)

Maternal behaviour in non-pregnant female dogs, also known as pseudopregnancy, is a common behaviour problem that occurs when a female dog exhibits nesting, lactating, and maternal behaviours even though she is not pregnant. This can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or a lack of spaying, and it can cause physical discomfort and behavioural problems such as aggression, separation anxiety, and destructive behaviour.

How To Stop Maternal Behaviour In Non-Pregnant Female Dogs?

If your dog is exhibiting maternal behaviour, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions and discuss treatment options. You can also help stop this behaviour by providing plenty of mental and physical exercise, using positive reinforcement techniques, keeping your dog’s environment free of tempting items, and using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home. 

Begging

Why do dogs beg? Well, it’s usually because they’ve learned that begging gets them what they want! Whether it’s attention, treats, or food, dogs are masters at using their cute and irresistible begging behaviours to get what they want.

But begging can be more than just an annoying habit. It can also be a sign of underlying issues like boredom, anxiety, or a lack of mental and physical exercise. So if your dog is a chronic beggar, it’s important to take a deeper look at the root cause and address any underlying issues.

How To Stop Your Dog From Begging?

One way to stop begging is to simply ignore it and refuse to give in to those adorable begging eyes. You can also redirect your dog’s attention with toys or puzzles and make sure your dog is getting plenty of mental and physical exercise to keep her mind and body happy and healthy.

So next time your dog begs, try to resist the urge to give in and remember that a little bit of training and plenty of love and attention can go a long way in helping your furry friend kick the begging habit.

Counter Surfing

Dog’s usually counter-surf because they’ve found something tasty up there! Dogs are natural scavengers and have an excellent sense of smell and a keen eye for anything that looks or smells delicious.

But counter-surfing can be more than just an annoying habit. It can also be a sign of underlying issues like boredom, anxiety, or a lack of mental and physical exercise. So if your dog is a chronic counter surfer, it’s important to take a deeper look at the root cause and address any underlying issues.

How To Stop Your Dog From Counter Surfing?

One way to stop counter surfing is to simply keep your counters clean and free of tempting items. You can also try using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to the counters and make sure your dog is getting plenty of mental and physical exercise to keep her mind and body happy and healthy.

So next time your dog tries to raid the counters, try to resist the urge to give in and remember that a little bit of training and plenty of love and attention can go a long way in helping your furry friend kick the counter surfing habit.

Destructive Behaviour

Why do dogs exhibit destructive behaviour? It could be a sign of boredom, anxiety, or a lack of mental and physical exercise. Dogs are social animals, and they need plenty of stimulation to keep their minds and bodies healthy and happy. If they’re not getting enough, they might find ways to entertain themselves by chewing, digging, or otherwise destroying things.

But destructive behaviour can also be a sign of underlying health issues, such as dental problems or joint pain. So it’s important to pay attention to your dog’s behaviour and consult with a veterinarian if you suspect there may be an underlying health issue.

How To Stop Dogs Destroying Everything? 

To prevent destructive behaviour, it’s important to provide your dog with plenty of mental and physical exercise and give her plenty of toys and puzzle feeders to keep her entertained. You can also use a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to prevent access to tempting items and consider using a bitter-tasting chew deterrent spray to discourage your dog from chewing on inappropriate objects.

So next time you come home to find that your dog has chewed up your favourite shoes or dug a hole in the yard, try not to get too upset. Instead, take a deep breath and remember that a little bit of training, love, and attention can go a long way in helping your furry friend kick the destructive behaviour habit.

Resource Guarding

It’s a natural instinct for dogs to protect their territory and their resources, such as food, toys, and even their own bodies. Resource guarding is a way for dogs to communicate that they feel threatened or uncomfortable when someone (or another animal) gets too close to their stuff.

But resource guarding can also be a sign of underlying anxiety or insecurity. Dogs who are anxious or fearful may be more prone to resource guarding as a way to feel more in control of their environment.

How To Stop Your Dog From Garding Resources? 

To prevent resource-guarding behaviour, it’s important to establish clear boundaries and rules with your dog and to socialize your dog to different people and situations. You can also use positive reinforcement training techniques to teach your dog to share and to be more relaxed around people and other animals.

If you suspect your dog is exhibiting resource-guarding behaviour, it’s important to seek the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist. They can work with you to develop a customized training plan and help you address the underlying cause of your dog’s resource-guarding behaviour.

So remember, if your dog starts growling or snapping when you try to take her food bowl away, it’s not personal – she’s just trying to protect what’s hers. With a little bit of training and patience, you can help your furry friend learn to be more relaxed and share her resources with you.

Fear Of Loud Noises

Just like us humans, It’s normal for dogs to be wary of unexpected or unfamiliar loud noises. Loud noises can startle or scare dogs; for some dogs, the fear can be intense and even debilitating.

But dogs can also develop a fear of loud noises due to negative experiences or trauma. For example, a dog who has been scared by fireworks or thunder in the past may develop a phobia of loud noises.

How To Stop Dogs Being Scared & Fearful Of Loud Noises?

To help a dog who is afraid of loud noises, it’s important to be patient and understanding. You can try gradually desensitizing your dog to loud noises by playing recordings of the noises at a low volume and gradually increasing the volume over time. You can also try using positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog that loud noises are nothing to be afraid of.

If your dog’s fear of loud noises is severe or you’re having trouble helping your dog overcome this fear, it may be helpful to seek help from a professional trainer or behaviourist. They can work with you to develop a customized training plan and help you address the underlying cause of your dog’s fear of loud noises.

So remember, if your dog starts shaking or hiding during a thunderstorm, it’s not because she’s being stubborn – she’s just feeling a little bit overwhelmed. With a little bit of love and support, you can help your furry friend feel calmer and more confident around loud noises.

Escaping

Dogs may escape for a variety of reasons, such as a desire for adventure, a lack of stimulation or attention, or a lack of training. 

How To Stop Dogs Escaping?

To prevent escapes, it’s important to ensure that your dog has plenty of mental and physical exercise, provides a safe and secure environment, and properly trains your dog to stay and come when called. You may also want to consider using a leash or harness when taking your dog out for walks and using a crate or confinement area when you’re not home to keep your dog safe and secure.

Inappropriate Play

Dogs may play aggressively or inappropriately with other dogs or people due to a lack of training, socialisation, or boundaries and rules. 

How To Fix Dog’s Playing Aggresivily Or Inapprorpitly? 

To stop aggressive or inappropriate play, it’s important to properly socialize your dog, establish clear boundaries and rules, and teach your dog appropriate play behaviours through positive reinforcement training. You may also want to consider providing plenty of mental and physical exercise and using toys or puzzle feeders to redirect your dog’s play behaviours. Remember to always supervise play sessions and intervene if play becomes too rough or aggressive.

Running Away

Dogs may run away due to a variety of factors, such as a lack of training, a lack of boundaries and rules, a lack of mental and physical exercise, or a desire to explore their surroundings.

How To Stop Your Dog Running Away? 

To prevent your dog from running away, it’s important to establish clear boundaries and rules, provide plenty of mental and physical exercise, and use positive reinforcement training to teach your dog to stay in designated areas. You may also want to consider using a leash or harness when outside and a collar with identification tags in case your dog gets lost. It’s also a good idea to make sure your dog is microchipped for additional identification.

Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity in dogs is a common behaviour problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, including a lack of mental and physical exercise, boredom, anxiety, or an excess of energy. Some dogs are simply more active and energetic by nature, while others may have been bred for high energy levels and require more exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

How To Stop Your Dog From Being Hyperactive All The Time?

If your dog is hyperactive, it’s important to provide plenty of opportunities for exercise, mental stimulation, training, and socialization to help your dog learn appropriate behaviour. In addition, you may want to consider using a puzzle feeder or other interactive toys to keep your dog’s mind engaged and help burn off excess energy. With patience, consistency, and a little bit of creativity, you can help your hyperactive dog learn to channel their energy in more constructive ways and enjoy a happy, healthy life.

Positive Reinforcement – Don’t Say ‘No’ Show Your Dog What You Want Them To Do? 

We’ve mentioned positive reinforcement a lot in this blog post, so what is it? It’s important to remember that saying “no” to a dog doesn’t necessarily tell them what you want them to do. Dogs are more likely to understand and respond to positive reinforcement rather than negative punishment, so it’s important to show them the behaviour you would like them to exhibit rather than just telling them what not to do. For example, if you don’t want your dog to jump up on people, instead of saying “no” and pushing them down, try rewarding them with a treat or praise when they keep all four paws on the ground. This way, your dog will learn that staying on the ground is the desired behaviour and will be more likely to repeat it in the future. Using positive reinforcement can also help to build a strong bond with your dog and make training more enjoyable for both of you. Just remember to keep it fun.

Conclusion

This article has covered common behaviour problems in dogs and how to fix them. It’s important to remember that all dogs are different, and what works for one dog may not work for another. If you’re having trouble with your dog’s behaviour, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you can help your dog overcome their behaviour problems and enjoy a happy and healthy relationship.

If you’ve tried the suggestions in this article and your dog’s behaviour problems persist, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist. They can provide you with customised advice and support to help you and your dog overcome your behaviour challenges.

Leave a comment below if you have any other ideas on how you can help fix any of the above behaviour problems in dogs. We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!