10 Unwanted Dog Behavioral Issues with ONE Solution

Are you at your wit’s end with your dog’s constant barking, chewing, jumping, or digging? Have you tried everything to curb your dog’s hyperactivity or prevent those unwanted pet accidents indoors? There’s one simple solution that can work wonders for all these behavioral issues: regular walks!

As Austin and Dallas’ best dog walkers, we know the secret to a happy, well-behaved dog is regular mental and physical stimulation. Regular walks can transform your dog’s behavior and bring peace back to your home.

UNDERSTANDING DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND THEIR CAUSES

Dogs exhibit unwanted behaviors for a variety of reasons, often stemming from boredom, lack of exercise, or insufficient mental stimulation. When dogs don’t get enough physical activity, they have pent-up energy that manifests as excessive barking, chewing, or digging. Mental stimulation is equally important, as a lack of new experiences and challenges can lead to anxiety and stress, which further contributes to these problematic behaviors.

In many cases, addressing the root cause of these behaviors – boredom and excess energy – can lead to significant improvements. Regular walks provide both the physical exercise and mental stimulation that dogs need to stay balanced and content. By engaging their senses with new smells, sights, and sounds, walks help tire out your dog both mentally and physically, reducing the likelihood of destructive behavior at home.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: EXCESSIVE BARKING

Why It Happens:

• Attention-Seeking: Dogs may bark excessively when they’re bored and seeking attention.
• Alertness: Lack of exercise can lead to increased alertness and anxiety, causing dogs to bark more at passing stimuli.

How Walks Help:

• Reducing Anxiety: Regular walks can help reduce anxiety and hyper-alertness, leading to less barking.
• Fulfillment of Social Needs: Walks provide social interaction and exposure to different environments, reducing the need for attention-seeking behaviors.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: DESTRUCTIVE CHEWING

Why It Happens:

• Boredom: Dogs often chew when they have nothing else to do. Chewing is a way to occupy their time and relieve boredom.
• Pent-Up Energy: Without adequate exercise, dogs have excess energy that they may channel into chewing.

How Walks Help:

• Energy Release: Regular walks help burn off excess energy, making dogs less likely to engage in destructive chewing.
• Mental Stimulation: Exploring new environments during walks provides mental stimulation, reducing boredom and the need to chew.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: DIGGING

Why It Happens:

• Instinctual Behavior: Dogs have a natural instinct to dig, which can be exacerbated by boredom and lack of exercise.
• Seeking Comfort or Entertainment: Dogs may dig to create a cool spot to lie in or simply to entertain themselves.

How Walks Help:

• Channeling Energy: Regular walks provide a productive outlet for your dog’s energy, reducing the urge to dig.
• Mental Engagement: Walks offer new sights and smells, keeping your dog mentally engaged and less likely to dig out of boredom.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: SEPARATION ANXIETY

Why It Happens:

• Attachment Issues: Dogs that are overly attached to their owners may experience anxiety when left alone.
• Lack of Stimulation: Dogs that are not mentally and physically stimulated may become anxious when left alone.

How Walks Help:

• Routine and Predictability: Regular walks provide a structured routine, helping to reduce anxiety by creating a predictable schedule.
• Burning Energy: Exercise helps tire out your dog, making them more likely to rest and relax when left alone.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: INAPPROPRIATE ELIMINATION

Why It Happens:

• Lack of Proper Training: Dogs may not be fully house-trained and might not understand where it is appropriate to eliminate.
• Anxiety or Medical Issues: Anxiety or underlying medical issues can cause inappropriate elimination.

How Walks Help:

• Regular Bathroom Breaks: Frequent walks provide regular opportunities for your dog to relieve themselves, reducing the chances of accidents at home.
• Training Reinforcement: Walks can be used as an opportunity to reinforce proper elimination behavior.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: JUMPING ON PEOPLE

Why It Happens:

• Excitement: Dogs often jump on people when they’re excited, especially when greeting someone.
• Seeking Attention: Jumping can be a way for dogs to seek attention, even if it’s negative.

How Walks Help:

• Exercising Energy: Regular walks help expend energy, reducing the hyperactivity that leads to jumping.
• Training Opportunity: Walks are a good time to reinforce commands and practice good behavior, such as “sit” and “stay.”

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: LEASH PULLING

Why It Happens:

• Excitement: Dogs may pull on the leash because they are excited and eager to explore.
• Lack of Training: Dogs may not have been properly trained to walk on a leash.

How Walks Help:

• Consistent Training: Regular walks provide opportunities to consistently train your dog to walk calmly on a leash.
• Burning Excess Energy: Adequate exercise can help reduce the excitement that leads to leash pulling.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: AGGRESSION

Why It Happens:

• Fear or Anxiety: Dogs may exhibit aggressive behavior due to fear or anxiety.
• Lack of Socialization: Dogs that are not regularly exposed to other dogs may become fearful or aggressive.

How Walks Help:

• Socialization: Regular walks, especially in dog-friendly areas, provide opportunities for your dog to meet and interact with other dogs.
• Reducing Fear: Exposure to different environments and situations helps build confidence and reduce fear-based aggression.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: BEGGING FOR FOOD OR ATTENTION

Why It Happens:

• Attention-Seeking: Dogs may beg for food or attention out of habit or because they have been rewarded for it in the past.
• Boredom: Dogs may beg when they are bored and looking for something to do.

How Walks Help:

• Routine and Structure: Regular walks provide a structured routine, reducing the likelihood of begging behavior.
• Mental and Physical Stimulation: Walks provide mental and physical engagement, making your dog less likely to beg out of boredom.

DOG BEHAVIORAL ISSUE: ESCAPING

Why It Happens:

• Boredom: Dogs may try to escape to find something to do or to explore.
• Lack of Exercise: Dogs with pent-up energy may try to escape to burn off energy.

How Walks Help:

• Physical and Mental Fulfillment: Regular walks can satisfy your dog’s need for physical exercise and mental stimulation, reducing the desire to escape.
• Exploration: Walks provide a safe way for your dog to explore new environments, fulfilling their curiosity.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR SAFE & HAPPY DOG WALKS

To effectively curb these unwanted dog behaviors, consider the following tips:

• Consistency is Key: Establish a regular walking schedule to provide routine and stability for your dog.
• Vary the Routes: Change your walking routes to keep things interesting and provide new stimuli.
• Interactive Play: Incorporate play and training exercises during walks to further engage your dog mentally and physically.
• Proper Equipment: Use a well-fitted harness and sturdy leash to ensure safety and comfort during walks.
• Reward Good Behavior: Use treats and positive reinforcement to reward good behavior during walks.

How Professional Dog Walking Services Keep Dog Behavioral Issues at Bay

At VIP Pet Services, we understand the critical role regular walks play in preventing behavioral issues and maintaining your dog’s happiness. Our professional dog walkers provide the highest level of care, ensuring each walk is safe, enjoyable, and tailored to your dog’s needs. By incorporating regular walks into your dog’s routine, you’re investing in their long-term health and well-being. Let’s work together to keep your dog happy, healthy, and well-behaved. VIP Pet Services offers dog walking throughout Austin and Dallas metro areas. Contact us today to get your dog started with the VIP treatment.