8 Common Pet Behaviour Problems and How to Manage Them

Pets provide companionship, affection, and joy to our lives; however, there are times when pets become sources of troubles in our home environment. Barking, furniture scratching, jumping on people, and aggressive behaviour from pets can be disturbing for us. Moreover, in certain circumstances, this behaviour can pose a threat to the health of both pets and family relations.

On the other hand, undesirable behaviour does not necessarily imply disobedience. There are many behaviours that depend on instincts, fears, anxieties, environment or illnesses of a pet. The knowledge of the causes of pet animal behaviour problems is the key point on the way to the solution. With the help of the specialists at Kindheart Veterinary Behaviour Services, you will better know your pet and find ways to improve its behaviour.

Identifying Normal versus Problem Behaviours in Pets

The actions of pets are used to make certain statements regarding what they want. At times, these behaviours may be normal; however, at other times, they might be hard to handle due to the frequency and nature of the behaviour. Below are eight examples of problems and how to deal with them.

1. Hyperactivity and Excessiveness

Your pet might display restlessness at times because it lacks sufficient exercise and stimuli. However, too much hyperactivity is also an indication of an anxiety disorder that your pet is suffering from.

You can provide your pet with playtime and other activities to see if it is anxiety or any other issue behind the restlessness displayed by it.

2. Playful Roughness and Nipping

In dogs and cats, biting is part of playing. Nevertheless, sometimes it can turn out to be a problem because of the intensity and frequency of this behaviour.

Do not allow them to interact by biting you; rather, train them to play using toys that can replace their biting behaviour.

3. Urine Marking and House Soiling

Urine on the floors can be annoying, but it is vital that we understand why this is happening. Territorial marking, stress, changes at home, and lack of proper house training are all factors which could cause such problems.

Begin by observing when and where the issue occurs. Make sure there is an adequate number of clean litter boxes for the cats and proper toilet training for the dogs.. Since urinary issues may also have a medical cause, ensure that the animal goes through a veterinary evaluation if the problem behaviour is new and sudden.

4. Scratching and Chewing

Scratching is a natural activity for cats, while dogs enjoy chewing when they play. However, this might become an issue in cases where the activities lead to destruction of any property or objects that are capable of being destroyed.

It is important to ensure that your dog and cat have proper surfaces for their activities. For the dogs, provide them with chewing toys.

5. Jumping up at People

Jumping up on people when greeting or meeting them for the first time may be caused by the dog's excitement and desire for attention or simply training of the dog in order to jump up in order to get some kind of reaction from people.

Train your dog to perform some other activity like sitting calmly and get the dog to keep his four legs on the ground. Ensure that the family members and guests respond to the dog in the same manner.

6. Excessive Barking and Making Noise

Barking of the dogs is quite normal, but excessive barking and making noise may be a sign that your dog is frustrated, fearful, alert, anxious about being separated from you and many other things. It is important to know the factors that preceded the barking of the dog and reduce the dog's exposure to these things. The enrichment of the dog, together with praise for remaining calm, can be useful. Do not shout at or punish your dog; he is going to get even more nervous.

7. Jumping on the Furniture and Climbing

By nature, the cats will always enjoy climbing and resting in high positions, whereas dogs usually like jumping on and climbing the furniture in order to find comfort, attention, or simply get closer to their owner. Dogs exhibit this type of behaviour because they do not know where they stand in the household.

Set up some ground rules and ensure that there are a lot of alternatives for the dogs, such as dog beds, cat trees, and window seats.

8. Aggressive Behaviour and Reactivity

Growling, snapping, lunging, and biting are really scary for pet owners. They might be the result of fear, pain, resource guarding, history, or some kinds of uncomfortable situations involving specific people and animals.

Do not punish your pets for the warning, and do not make them interact with what they dislike. Just avoid such triggers and go to the veterinarian for additional information and behavioural therapy.

How Animal Behaviour Training Could Help?

The purpose of animal behaviour training is not only about giving commands and preventing certain undesirable behaviour. During the process, it is necessary to identify the reason behind the certain behaviour, analyze the possible environmental reasons and develop a strategy that will allow changing the way animals act.

Kindheart Veterinary Behaviour Services specializes in the evaluation of the reasons for animal's emotional or physical behaviour problems, humane approach and individual treatment strategy development. The help could consist of adjusting the environment, behaviour modification, using positive reinforcement and prescribing a pet with medication.

Help Your Pet with Its Behavioural Problems

Behavioural problems in pets might have an impact on the whole family, but this should not happen. It is better to learn more about behavioural tendencies and refrain from punishment. 

Our Kindheart Veterinary Behaviour Services might help you to get to know more about causes of behaviour problems in your pets and create special treatment programs that will help improve the emotional state of the pet and relationships between pet and owner. If your pet has some behaviour problems, consider booking an appointment.