Common Reasons A Dog Misbehaves

Our four-legged friends bring us a lot of pleasure in life. They greet us at the door with a wagging tail and a slobbering kiss. They provide comfort when we’re feeling lonely. And they give us the incentive to exercise, usually with a bark to remind us that it’s time for them to stretch their legs and use the outdoors to potty! But then there are those times when our dogs frustrate us with their misbehavior. They bark at the mailman and chew on our shoes. They scratch and bite our furnishings. And they do all in their power to fend off the cats that patrol our neighborhoods. So, what are the reasons dogs misbehave?

Some behavior is instinctual

Some ‘bad’ behaviors aren’t bad at all. When your dog barks at the mailman, it’s because his instinct is to guard you and the house from possible intruders. And when your dog chases the neighborhood cats, it’s not because he hates their very presence in your garden, but rather it’s your dog’s natural hunting instincts that kick in. He just has to chase them! So, don’t assume your dog is behaving badly in these instances. Remember that it’s in your dog’s very being to behave in such ways, which you should actually be grateful for, as any unwelcome intruders of either the human or animal kind will be warned away from your home.

Dogs crave human attention

Some dogs crave a lot of human attention, so if you have been neglectful of your dog in any way, he will do everything in his power to make sure you notice him. Unfortunately, he might behave badly in an effort to raise a response from you, as even negative attention is better than no attention at all. So, put down your smartphone once in a while. Turn off the TV. And give your pet the time he deserves, because he loves you, and is desperate to experience your love in return.

Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety

Cats will happily spend their days with little to no company at all. As long as you feed and groom them occasionally, they will be perfectly happy to care for themselves for the rest of the time. Dogs, on the other hand, are very different.

They get very stressed when away from their owners for a long period of time, and because of this, they might act out in response to their frayed emotions. This might include chewing your table legs and ripping up your carpet. And if you have ever returned home to discover your dog has been to the toilet on your living room floor, know that this might be because of his anxious state. So, where possible, try not to leave your dog alone for long periods. Ask family members and neighbors to check in on him. And use these gadgets to prevent your dog from getting lonely when you’re gone.

Some dogs benefit from training

Not every dog requires training. Certain breeds are laid back and are instinctively obedient to their owners. And if you have welcomed an older dog into your home, they might have been through training already. However, some dogs are high-maintenance, and require a lot of training, especially at the puppy stage. When you own one of these dogs, you need to be ready for the challenge. There is a lot of advice online, of course, but you might also pay for dog obedience classes if you struggle to train your dog alone.

These aren’t the only reasons a dog misbehaves, but they are the most common. Continue your research online or seek professional help from a dog trainer if you need to know more.