
Dogs are supposed to be pets that offer good time and companionship. They should alleviate stress and help you loosen up 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 displays behavioral issues, there has to be a cause. Today, we will unravel the few reasons dogs develop unwanted behaviors to help you proactively address particular traits you don’t want in your pet.
Why Do Dogs Develop Unwanted Behaviors?
Exploring, chewing, barking, digging, and many more behaviors can occur in dogs, which can be an unavoidable part of pet ownership. Knowing the causes of these behaviors can help you act on areas of their life that need attention. So below are five causes of unwanted dog behaviors you should be aware of.
1. Lack of Physical Exercise
Dogs need 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 doggie daycare for socially-active pets are exercise choices worth considering.
If you want to bring your four-legged companion to a dog daycare or dog park to interact with their fellows, ensure they’re fully vaccinated by your veterinarian. This helps protect your pet from any prevalent pet diseases they may encounter outside. You may visit websites like www.surfsideanimalhospital.com to learn more about the importance of regular pet preventative care.
2. Changes in Diet
Changing your pet’s diet to a poorer, cheap, or less suitable diet can cause them to act up. You might not think of it, but diet can influence your pet’s actions. Changing your dog’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 high-quality diet, and avoid changing their diet regularly. If you’re unsure what to feed your furry buddy, always ask your veterinarian for the best options.
3. Illness
Behavioral changes or failure to adapt or show normal behavior may stem from health problems. The dog might bark unnecessarily or might not bark at all. They may 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 observe any of these suspicious signs in your pet, take them to the vet for a checkup.
This is why veterinarians encourage consistency in routine vet examinations to prevent, detect, and treat any underlying health conditions before they worsen and become lethal for your pet. If you’re looking for facilities to examine your pet, you may search for “dog exam near me” for specific results.
4. Boredom or Social Isolation
Pets that do not get opportunities to socialize with their owners and fellows, or do not have toys or playmates in their environment, may engage in activities that can result in destructive behavior like excessive chewing. Excessive chewing can put them at risk of major dental problems and accidentally swallowing foreign objects.
If the worst comes to worst, you’ll need to take your pet to a vet surgeon should these problems occur. If you’re looking for specialists to handle your pet’s surgical operation, you may search the web for “pet surgeons near me” to see accurate results.
5. Fears and Phobias
Fearful reactions to loud noises, fireworks, or thunderstorms often involve escape attempts that trigger destructive habits. When this happens, door frames, doors, walls, screens, and window trim often get damaged. This concern can be dangerous as excessively fearful canines can hurt themselves when attempting to break through doors or windows to escape from the feared situation. Certain approaches like staying by their side, gently comforting them, and helping your pet feel safe are simple ways to overcome phobias and fears in canines.