When should I be worried about my dogs Behaviour?
Jacinto Oberbrunner
2025-05-31 20:57:50
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If your dog’s behaviour has changed, book an appointment with your vet. Pain is a common reason why your dog’s behaviour may have changed and a medical issue may be the cause. If your vet rules out a medical condition as the cause, they will refer you to a qualified behaviourist who can help with your pet’s behaviour issue. Problems are easier to solve when you seek help early as a dog’s behaviour can become worse the longer an issue goes unresolved. If you have tried to resolve your pet’s problem through training and you’re not seeing any improvement, speak to a qualified behaviourist. Serious behaviour problems generally need professional support to help resolve them. These may include aggression to people, dogs or other animals, separation anxiety, noise phobias, compulsive behaviours. We recommend contacting a qualified behaviourist or trainer through your vet or the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.
Cleora Langosh
2025-05-31 18:59:37
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Dogs who are feeling frustrated and bored might begin to turn their attention to their own bed, or to your furniture or your children’s toys, remote control handsets etc. This can take many forms. Dogs might vocalise to grab your attention: You might think that telling them sharply to be quiet should stop them from barking or whining. In fact, any attention counts when you’re a bored dog so, whether you’re reaching out to soothe them for whining or telling them for the fifth time to quieten down, it’s likely to encourage your dog to keep going. Just like children, bored pets can sometimes get a bit over-the-top when playing, resulting in potential for someone to get scratched or nipped. Some dogs can become frustrated when they aren’t having regular interactions with other dogs. This can lead to them displaying some new behaviour or it can exacerbate other behaviour that’s previously been kept to low levels. You might see this happening if your dog starts to patrol garden boundaries and bark at passers-by, or you might notice that they’re spending more time watching the street through a window or door and getting excited and noisy when they see people. If your dog was already of a shy or anxious disposition before social distancing measures came into place, you might find that their confidence with other people or dogs takes a step back now that you’re unable to have regular practice at calm and positive interactions.
Tremayne Gutmann
2025-05-31 18:31:28
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It is likely that your dog is anxious or fearful if you notice combinations of the anxiety and/or fear behavioural signs, such as licking lips, with ears back, and a tense facial expression. But combinations of signs can vary between dogs and even within the same dog. Therefore you may only notice one of the behavioural signs, and this can still be important. If you see an increase in frequency of any of the behavioural signs, or an increase in bouts of the behavioural signs, it is likely that your dog is experiencing anxiety or fear. If your dog shows the behavioural signs in specific contexts, and not in others, it is likely that your dog is experiencing fear or anxiety in those specific contexts. If your dog pants, salivates, yawns, or licks his lips for no apparent physical reason, it is likely that he is anxious or fearful.
Anais Hahn
2025-05-31 18:24:56
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If your dog feels fearful or anxious around other dogs or people, they may try to hide or get away from them. They may also approach them using threatening body language to make them move away. Your dog could be considered reactive if, when on walks, they lunge, bark, growl or snarl at another dog or person. Dogs communicate with us and each other through body language and vocalisations. Signs your dog is reactive include bouncing around frantically, maybe trying to get out of their collar or harness, grabbing your clothing or body and shaking it, nipping another dog they’re being walked with, trying to hide behind you, or between your legs, trying to jump up into your arms, pulling away. Reactive behaviour can develop due to a dog's experiences, or lack of, during puppyhood. Some dogs may lack social skills because they haven't learned appropriate boundaries, or how to communicate appropriately. Learn to recognise your dog's body language, this will help you understand when they're feeling worried or frustrated.