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BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS IN DOGS

This is a pretty big topic; as veterinarians we are happy to help you and your dogs’ behavioral problems but we are not experts in the field.  Our main function is to rule out medical reasons for your pets’ behavior such as a urinary tract infection in the case of inappropriate urination. Some veterinarians enjoy the challenge of behavioral analysis and have spent much time and effort to learn more. If your cats’ problem goes beyond our ability to help you we can refer you to other avenues of help such as a animal or veterinary behaviorist (in Sydney), reference materials and trainers.

Some relatively common behavioral problems in dogs include unwanted barking, jumping up on people, aggressive (food, animals, humans, territorial), dominance (other dogs and humans), digging, chasing behaviors, mounting, elimination, wandering, and destruction are just some of the problems we see, hear and try to help clients with. Separation anxiety and thunderstorm phobia are also common and we often combine some drug therapy with cognitive behavioural modification for these problems.

First remember that “undesirable behavior” is in the eye of the beholder. To the dog, it’s perfectly alright for the dog to dig, to bark, to chase after other dogs, etc.  This doesn’t mean you can’t control these behaviors, of course, but it does mean that the dog isn’t doing this “to spite you”. The dog hasn’t a clue that it’s not to do these things unless you train it not to.  And it has to understand what you want from it.

When dogs start undesirable (to human) behavior, its best to try to understand the source of this behavior.  Often it stems from frustration of being left alone or boredom. Dogs are very social animals. One positive solution is to make sure your dog is properly exercised, entertained, and in some breeds make it feel as if it has a job to do.

You can start early by picking a puppy of a breed which fits your lifestyle. If you are a couch potato do not pick a border collie thinking this will get you out and exercising more.

Not all undesirable behavior is normal and can be trained out of your dog. Some dogs like people have anxiety or other cognitive disorders that may require behavioral modifications and or drug therapy. In some cases the behavior will not be eliminated but only lessened. It is important to remember that there is no quick fix. If a problem took 4 years to develop, it may take that long to eliminate. For most behavioral problems it takes great patience and love to be successful.

USEFUL CONTACTS

  1. Dr. Kersti Seksel
  2. Dr Jo Righetti

Seaforth Veterinary Hospital

55 Ethel street
SEAFORTH NSW

Website: www.petproblemsolved.com.au

 

Hanrob - Heathcote Boarding & Dog Training Facility

1800 Princes Highway
HEATHCOTE NSW 2233
Website: www.hanrob.com.au