Category: Behavior

There are several ways you can try to keep dogs off the couch when you’re not at home including crating and confining the dogs to a particular part of the home. If your dog is well trained, he can be taught to stay off the couch, but if you’re not home to tell him to get down, there is no guarantee that you won’t find pet hairs on your sofa when you return home.

Keeping Dogs Off The Furniture

If you think some kind of shenanigans go on at your house, you’re probably right. Many pet owners just give in to the idea that the dogs are going to get on the furniture. If that’s not an option for you, here are some things you can do:

• Spray Deterrents: The effectiveness is hit or miss with these sprays. Plus, you’ll want to test the spray on a hidden area of the couch to be sure its colorfast.
• Crating: Keep your dog out of all mischief by crate training him. Then he’ll be safely snoozing in his crate while you’re at work. Note: You shouldn’t crate your dog for more than 4-6 hours.
• Confining To One Room: If you have the space, setting aside a room for your dog is an alternative to crating.
• High-Tech Solutions: Two way cameras are available that allow you to both watch and communicate with your pet. Take a peek at the camera, and if the dog is on the couch, a stern “NO!” might make him get down. 

Whether you choose crating, sprays, or some other solution, it is possible to keep your dog off the couch while you’re away—or you could just give in like so many pet owners do! 

Dog separation anxiety can be treated effectively, but it will not just go away on its own. In fact, if left untreated, the anxiety will become worse over time. Separation anxiety runs the gamut from mild to very severe. If you’re fortunate enough to be dealing with a mild case, talk to a vet or animal behaviorist as soon as possible to stop the anxiety from becoming worse.

How Do I Recognize Separation Anxiety? 

Separation anxiety doesn’t just mean your dog misses you when you’re gone and stays stuck to you like glue when you’re home. In severe forms, dogs will actually injure themselves as they attempt to escape. Some of the signs that point to separation anxiety include:

• Excessive Barking
• Going to the bathroom in the house
• Destructive chewing
• Pacing
• Escape attempts 

Note that those behaviors can occur in a dog without separation anxiety. If these issues only occur when you’re gone, then it’s likely a form of separation anxiety.

Since you know that separation anxiety isn’t going to just go away on its own, you need to take action. While you can try DIY remedies like calming collars or playing classical music, such methods should be reserved for mild cases. If you don’t see immediate progress, talk to your vet.

If the anxiety is moderate to severe (i.e. includes destructive behavior and escaping) you should visit your vet or a highly qualified animal behaviorist as soon as possible to prevent your dog from harming himself.

The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll no longer have to worry about the health and safety of your pet while you’re away. 

How to calm a stressed dog will depend on the reason for the stress and may be as simple as playing soft music or exercising him more. In other cases, it may take medical intervention in the form of medication in order to calm your pet. What will work for your dog depends on the severity of the stress and the underlying cause.

Stress Relief Remedies 

There are many types of stress, and if you figure out what is causing your dog’s anxiety, it will be easier to help him. Some dogs are just generally stress-prone. In those cases, there may not be a specific cause. Either way, there are several things you can try to calm your stressed dog.

DIY Remedies 

If the stress seems mild and isn’t causing your dog to harm himself, try these simple solutions:

• Exercise: Some dogs are stressed because they are bored, and more exercise can help to relieve that boredom. Make sure he gets at least two long walks per day. More is even better.
• New Toys and Tricks: Another way to stave off canine boredom is by regularly teaching him new tricks and buying him interactive toys that keep his mind engaged.
• Soothing Music: Playing classical music or even keeping the television on while you’re away can help calm a stressed dog.
• Calming Products: Many pet owners found great success by using calming products such as collars, shirts, and diffusers. 

Professional Intervention 

If the stress is severe or if the DIY methods don’t work, it’s time for professional intervention. Talk to your vet about whether or not medication is appropriate or call an animal behaviorist. Keep in mind that if the stress came on suddenly, it could be due to a medical condition. In that case, make an appointment with your vet right away.

Stress doesn’t usually go away on its own. In some cases, it will continue to get worse over time, so ignoring the problem won’t help. Start working on a solution today, so you can have a calmer, happier dog. 

Some dogs outgrow pica while others will need treatment of the underlying medical or behavioral condition that is causing the pica. It’s not something that should be ignored as it can cause serious health issues for your pet. In some cases, it can be stopped as simply as providing lots of chew toys for your dog. In more severe cases, professional intervention may be required.

What Is Pica? 

Pica is eating objects that are not edible. This could include dirt, paper, cloth, rocks, feces, and many other objects. It’s easy to see the dangers of the condition, and many dogs require surgery after ingesting rocks or need other medical treatment after eating something toxic.   

While a puppy with pica may outgrow the condition, adult dogs usually will not. Causes of pica include:

• Stress or anxiety
• Boredom
• Depression
• Lack of socialization
• Malnutrition 

It can also be triggered by one of a long list of medical conditions such as:

• Diabetes
• Iron deficiency
• Parasites
• Anemia 

If the behavior started suddenly, schedule an appointment with your vet to rule out a medical cause. If there is no medical condition that’s to blame, you can try to treat pica yourself or work with a behavioral therapist.

If you think your dog may be bored or lack stimulation, try spending more time walking and playing with your pet. If that was the cause, you may see an improvement pretty quickly. Generally speaking, working with a qualified trainer or behaviorist is the best course of action to get lasting results.

While you’re working on stopping the behavior, you’ll have to keep a close eye on your dog in order to stop him from eating something that could harm him.           

Pica is a potentially dangerous condition that needs to be dealt with in order to keep your pet safe and healthy. The good news is that, with proper treatment, most dogs can be cured of the behavior. 

Some dogs howl when left alone simply because they are lonely. Dogs are very social, and they want to be around their families. In some cases, howling can be a sign of separation anxiety—a condition that must be properly treated in order to stop it from getting worse over time. If your dog only howls when left alone, it’s probably loneliness or anxiety. On the other hand, some dogs are just very vocal and will howl whether you’re there or not. 

Helping My Dog With Loneliness 

No good pet owner likes the idea of leaving their dog alone—and hearing them howl as you pull out of the driveway only make the guilt worse. While you may not be able to quit your job and spend the entire day pampering your pooch, there are some things you can do to help ease his loneliness.

• Try doggy daycare or hiring a dog sitter. Daycare is great for dogs who enjoy playing with other dogs to get lots of exercise and be happier and less anxious on days when they are left at home.
• Leave him treat puzzles and other interactive toys. Keeping his mind occupied is a good way to ease his loneliness.
• Consider a second dog to be his companion. This way, he will never have to be alone!
• Check out more tips to help your dog’s loneliness in our blog article here. 

Dealing With Separation Anxiety 

If the howling is accompanied by destructive behavior, escape attempts, and excessive chewing, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. This is not something that will get better on its own. In fact, when left untreated, it often gets worse. Treatment depends on the severity of the anxiety, so talk to your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist for advice about how to help your dog if you suspect separation anxiety.

Some breeds howl more than others, but if your dog becomes vocal only when he’s alone, these tips may help to ease his loneliness. 

Dogs moan to show they are content—or disappointed, so context is important when trying to figure out why your dog is moaning. If he’s happily snuggling next to you, it’s likely a contented moan. If you’re rebuffing his attempts to play, he’s probably disappointed. Whining and moaning can also occur when a dog with separation anxiety is left alone.

It’s A Form Of Communication 

Since dogs can’t say “I’m so glad you’re here,” or “I’m so disappointed you won’t take me for a walk!” moaning is a way that they express their feelings. Usually, moaning is no cause for concern, but there are some cases in which action may need to be taken such as:

You Suspect Separation Anxiety 

Does your dog moan or whine when you’re gone? That could be a sign of separation anxiety, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. No matter the level of your dog’s anxiety, you should talk to a vet or animal behaviorist. Separation anxiety won’t go away without intervention, and it often gets worse over time. The sooner you start working on ways to help your dog overcome his anxiety the better.

My Dog Moans When Trying To Get Comfortable On A Bed 

Most of the time dogs suffer in silence. That’s why diseases are sometimes quite advanced before they are detected. Sometimes, however, their discomfort does lead to vocalization. If your dog moans when getting comfortable in their bed, it could be due to fluid buildup in the abdomen. To test this, try rubbing your dog’s belly. If he seems to be in pain at your touch, make a visit to your vet a priority.

Whether your dog’s moaning is a sign of contentedness or disappointment, it’s usually no cause for concern. Just pay close attention to context, and contact your vet if you suspect there may be a problem. 

Many dogs get into mischief now and then, but if your dog often tears stuff up when you leave, it could be a sign of anxiety. Anxiety in dogs is quite common, and it ranges from mild to severe. It won’t resolve itself if ignored, so if you suspect your dog is suffering from anxiety, it’s important to take steps to address the issue before it gets worse.

Is It Anxiety Or Boredom? 

Boredom is another reason that your dog may be destructive, so how do you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Here are a few hints that it’s anxiety:

• Your dog only acts up when you’re not there.
• The destruction is accompanied by excessive barking.
• Your dog tries to escape.
• Your dog goes to the bathroom in the house.

Dogs with severe anxiety are not only destructive, but they may even injure themselves trying to escape. That’s why it’s so important to find a resolution.

Work with your vet to determine if your dog is just bored and lonely or if he’s suffering from anxiety and then you can address a solution to his behavior based on that.

For Boredom:

• Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise—and that means different things to different dogs. Some pets are fine with a 30-minute walk each day while others need to be much more active.
• Provide interactive toys, such as treat puzzles, to keep his mind busy. Swap out the toys often to keep it interesting.
• Consider investing in doggy daycare especially if you work long hours. Hiring a dog walker is another option. 

For Anxiety: 

While mild anxiety can sometimes be resolved with the use of calming products, by changing the dog’s environment, or even by playing classical music, moderate to severe cases may require the help of a vet or animal behaviorist. 

The good news is that destruction due to boredom and anxiety are behaviors that can be resolved with the right interventions.

  

There are many reasons your dog may cry at night including loneliness, anxiety, pain, and alerting you to noises he hears outside. Since there are so many possible reasons for the crying, it can be difficult to pinpoint the reason without looking at context and then working to eliminate each potential cause. The good news is that, more often than not, it’s no cause for alarm when your dog cries at night.

Ruling Out A Medical Issue 

Anytime there is any notable change in your dog’s behavior, a visit to the vet is warranted. Since dogs can’t tell you when they feel sick, you have to rely on other cues to know when something is wrong.

If your dog has typically been pretty settled at bedtime but suddenly has started crying at night, it’s a good idea to schedule a vet visit to rule out a medical issue. Also note that some dogs begin crying at night as they age even in the absence of a medical problem.

Dealing With A Crying Dog 

Once the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, you’ll have to decide how to deal with the crying. It sounds unkind, but don’t run to comfort the dog every time he cries or he’ll quickly learn that crying in the middle of the night equals attention.

Instead, keep these tips in mind:

• Puppies in a new home will cry. It’s to be expected. Once they settle in and realize they are safe, it will stop on its own.
• It’s possible that the crying stems from a lack of exercise. Try giving your dog an extra walk or two during the day.
• Limit food and water as it gets close to bedtime.
• Try playing soft music or the television to calm your pet.
• If the crying only occurs when you’re out of the room, it’s possible your dog has separation anxiety. Make note of any other behavior that seems off, and mention this to your vet.
• While you may have the urge to run to your pet anytime he cries at night, doing so only sets you up for the crying to continue indefinitely. Instead, try the tips above. If none work, talk to an animal behaviorist for advice tailored to your pet. 

If your dog is whining, there likely is a reason—even if you’re having a hard time figuring out what that reason is. Puppies and dogs use whining as a form of communication, so the whining could be because he’s trying to alert you to something, he’s hurt or sick, or to let you know he wants something. In most cases, whining isn’t an issue, but if it’s excessive, you may need the help of an animal trainer to curb the behavior.

Is Your Dog Sick? 

One thing that is important to rule out is a medical condition. Sometimes it’s easy to tell when the whining is due to pain, but other times it’s not. If it started suddenly and occurs at random times, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your vet to make sure nothing is medically wrong.

Is Your Dog Alerting You? 

If your dog is whining and running to the same spot or staring out the window, it’s likely that he’s trying to alert you to something. This could be anything from a stranger in the yard to a stray plastic bag stuck in a bush, but it’s always a good idea to check things out. Once your dog sees that you’ve given the all clear, he’ll likely stop whining. Be sure to praise him, so that he’ll know that alerting you to potential danger is the right thing to do.

Is Your Dog Looking For Attention? 

Some dogs will whine for extra food, more treats, or additional playtime. While you want to supply your dog’s needs, you also want to be careful not to teach your dog that whining = getting what you want.

If your dog whines to get certain things, only supply that thing once the whining has stopped. This will reward silence rather than whining.

Whining rarely happens for no reason, so try to pinpoint the cause so you can stop the behavior.