| Many first time dog owners can be overwhelmed | | | | Marking behavior is best corrected using punitive |
| by all the things they hadn't really considered | | | | measures as soon after the act as possible. |
| before obtaining their dog. People sometimes try | | | | Again, punishing the dog well after an accident isn't |
| to address only the dog's physical needs. That's | | | | effective and will just create stress for the dog. |
| natural as those needs can be easily | | | | Another common behavior in new dogs is best |
| communicated by your dog. However, much of | | | | classified as "the rampage." If you don't kennel |
| the "problem behavior" in dogs stems from their | | | | your dog when you're away, you're begging for a |
| emotional needs not being met. Believe it or not, | | | | rampage. This goes for any new dog regardless |
| your dog is capable of emotions nearly on par | | | | of age. Curiosity and fear can turn a perfectly |
| with you. | | | | wonderful dog into a wrecking crew. Dogs are |
| When you encounter problem behavior with your | | | | naturally curious and if they are unfamiliar with |
| new dog, consideration of several things is | | | | both the behavioral and physical boundaries you |
| necessary to discover the cause and prevent it | | | | expect of them, bad things will happen. Fear and |
| from continuing. Punishing a dog without knowing | | | | the anxiety it produces can also lead your dog to |
| why the behavior occurred simply invites a repeat | | | | destructive behaviors that you would never |
| performance. See the event through your dog's | | | | expect. |
| eyes. What may look like a completely random | | | | When a dog engages in destructive behavior in |
| and senseless act to you, can hold a great deal of | | | | your absence, it's typically anxiety or boredom. |
| significance for your dog. | | | | The dog relies on you for instructions and |
| The most common annoyance for pet owners is | | | | guidance and when you're a way there's no |
| their living space being used as a public toilet. | | | | feedback. Some dogs need that constant |
| Some causes are easy to recognize such as | | | | feedback especially at a younger age or their |
| when you arrive home late from work. Your | | | | anxiety often leads to chewing and scratching. |
| dog's body is subjected to same laws of physics | | | | Leaving a radio on and plenty of dog toys around |
| as yours and what goes in must come out. Never | | | | is a quick fix in some cases. In most cases you |
| punish your dog for accidents if there's even a | | | | will have to train your dog to be comfortable with |
| remote chance the blame is on you. In most | | | | your departures. The easiest and most practical |
| cases you're only making yourself feel better and | | | | solution is to kennel your dog while you're away. |
| creating stress for the dog. | | | | It protects your home from your dog and |
| One way to know if you're dealing with blatant | | | | protects the dog from its own natural tendencies. |
| disobedience versus something else is if the dog | | | | However you choose to handle your dog's |
| will relieve itself in front of you. That sounds | | | | indiscretions, always try to put yourself in your |
| crazy, but it does happen. This behavior is most | | | | dog's shoes first. What stimuli or lack thereof |
| common in male dogs and is typically referred to | | | | inspired the behavior? Is the behavior ongoing |
| as marking. With that said, female dogs living in | | | | regardless of your corrections? Being human we |
| close proximity to each other will also engage in a | | | | may have more intelligence than a dog, but if we |
| battle of marking if the mood strikes them. | | | | don't use it then it's not of much benefit to us. |