How We Help Cause Our Dogs To Misbehave

Often, dog owners inadvertantly cause or exacerbate their dogs' behavioral problems. Here are five primary examples: Insufficient daily exercise, stimulation and play. Exercise is so important, not only for our dogs health and well-being, but in in the prevention of numerous behavioral problems.

Problem behaviors resulting from lack of aerobic exercise include:  Hyperactivity, Destructive chewing, Hole digging, excessive barking, howling, and vocalizing. An extreme neediness for constant attention, petting, or getting into mischief a lot.  The solution is constructive outlets for the dog's natural energies through sufficient exercise and play.

Problem behaviors resulting from lack of early and on-going socialization include:  Shyness, timidity, fears, phobias and Fear-based aggression

Preventive steps: Begin interactive socialization with a variety of unfamiliar people (children too) very early on.  Expose immunized puppies to a variety of environments and locations, including urban areas.  Problem behaviors resulting from lengthy periods of isolation include:  Hyperactivity, Destructive chewing, Hole digging, Excessive barking, howling, and vocalizing, or Trying to escape

All dogs, like all people, deserve an education. Obedience training helps to strengthen the bond between a dog and its owner, and develops communication, trust, teamwork, and mutual respect. Humane obedience training is in fact one of the kindest things we can do for our best buddies.