Behavioral Problems

The number one reason a pet loses their home is due to unwanted behavior. Any pet has the potential for behavioral problems, but knowing how to handle them and discourage this behavior is the key to a successful relationship with your pets.

Please select from the categories below to read more about the behaviors.

Dogs Cats Birds Destructive Behavior Anxiety & Separation Aggression Predatory Behavior Obedience Training Feline Aggression Litter Box Problems Territorial Issues Behavior Problems Screaming Aggression Destructive Chewing Feather Plucking

Dogs

Destructive Behavior

Destructive behavior is the most common complaint with puppies and younger, more active dogs. This can mean the loss of furniture, carpeting, clothing, knick-knacks and anything else within the dog's reach.

There may be a slew of reasons why a puppy or dog becomes destructive. They may be simply seeking attention, enjoying what they are chewing or nervous energy. The nervous energy can be solved with an exercise program while the others may require constant supervision.

By reprimanding the dog repeatedly for their destructive behavior and rewarding them for good behavior they will learn the difference between playing with their toys and chewing the furniture. When you see your dog chewing something they should not be chewing tell them no in a firm tone and immediately replace the item with a toy you would like them to play with and praise them well. This sends the message that the destructive behavior is "bad" and the toy is "good". Dogs will want to please you and will eventually learn to only play with the "good" toys.

When you are not able to supervise a dog in training be sure to confine them as best you can in a crate or another puppy/dog-proof area.

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Anxiety & Separation

Anxiety will often occur when you are not home and this is referred to as separation anxiety. One sign of separation anxiety is destructive behavior. If your dog only eliminates or chews destructively when you are not home then this is a sign that anxiety could be the problem.

This behavior is brought on by fears that your dog has that could have been caused by something that happened earlier in life. Here are some possible triggers:

• If a puppy loses his or her mother before 8 weeks of age (if the puppy also lost her littermates anxiety is even more common), anaclitic depression can occur. This "depression" can cause an extreme fear of being alone that results in refusal to eat or relax when alone as well as generalized anxiety or neediness even when you are with her.
• Lack of companionship between 8 and 16 weeks of age, such as being caged alone at a pet store or kept in a kennel that does not allow puppies to play together, can contribute to anxiety later in life. Puppies raised in unstimulating environments can be afraid of new things and generally insecure.
• If a dog is abandoned by her previous owner, she knows that sometimes people leave forever. Separation is more difficult for these animals.
• Stray dogs have to pay attention to everything. Over attention, called hyper-vigilance, is necessary to acquire food and avoid getting attacked or trapped. You may see this expressed as excessive energy or a barking at activities that are normal household events.
• Some dogs are bred to watch and notice everything so their hyper-vigilance is instinctive and genetic. Sheepdogs, guard dogs and in some cases, sporting dogs inherit this type of obsessive attentiveness. This can make them nervous or easily bored. These breeds are designed to work with a human companion all day. They may not be prepared for hours alone in a working family.
• An owner previously at home becomes a full time worker and the dog has no time to adjust to staying alone. When you adopt a dog from the shelter or a rescue organization you can pretty much count on changing her schedule.

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Aggression

 

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Predatory Behavior

 

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Obedience Training

 

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Cats

Feline Aggression

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Litter Box Problems

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Territorial Issues

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Birds

Behavior Problems

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Screaming

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Aggression

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Destructive Chewing

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Feather Plucking

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