Dog Behavior Problems

Barking

• Warning or alert
• Playfulness and excitement
• Attention-seeking
• Anxiety
• Boredom
• Responding to other dogs

Chewing

• Puppy teething
• Boredom or excess energy
• Anxiety
• Curiosity (especially puppies)

Digging

• Boredom or excess energy
• Anxiety or fear
• Hunting instinct
• Comfort-seeking (such as nesting or cooling off)
• Desire to hide possessions (like bones or toys)
• To escape or gain access to an area

Separation Anxiety

• The dog becomes anxious when the owner prepares to leave.
• Misbehavior occurs in the first 15 to 45 minutes after the owner leaves.
• The dog wants to follow the owner around constantly.
• The dog tries to be touching the owner whenever possible

Inappropriate Elimination

• Submissive/excitement urination
• Territorial marking
• Anxiety
• Lack of proper house training

Begging

This can lead to digestive problems and obesity

Chasing, Jumping Up

Which can lead to dangerous and devastating outcomes

Biting

• Fear
• Defensiveness
• Protection of property
• Pain or sickness
• Predatory instinct

Aggression

Signs

• Growling and snapping
• A rigid body and quickly wagging tail
• Lip licking or yawning
• Averting gaze
• Raised fur
• Cowering and tail tucking
• Seeing whites of the eyes

Etiology

• Fear aggression: The dog is fearful and tries to retreat in a scary situation, but then attacks when cornered.
• Defensive aggression: Similar to fear aggression—the dog attacks in defense of something rather than trying to retreat first. These dogs have generally given other, more subtle, indications that they want to be left alone before biting, such as turning their head away.
• Social aggression: The dog reacts aggressively to other dogs in social situations. Dogs that are not socialized properly with other dogs and people may also exhibit aggression.
• Frustration-elicited aggression: The dog behaves aggressively when it's restricted on a leash or in a fenced yard. When the dog becomes stimulated and can not act on that stimulation, it may act out. Sometimes a dog may become overly excited, such as before a walk, and nip its handler.
• Redirected aggression: The dog might become aggressive toward a person who attempts to break up a dog fight. It may also happen when the dog can't reach the target of its hostility, such as a neighboring dog on the other side of a fence.
• Pain-elicited aggression: The dog shows aggression when it's injured or in pain.
• Sex-related aggression: Two male dogs or two female dogs become aggressive when vying for the attention of a mate. This applies to intact animals and can be avoided by spaying and neutering dogs.
• Predatory aggression: The dog behaves aggressively without much warning when exhibiting predatory behavior, such as when chasing wildlife. This instinct may become a serious danger when a child is playing chase with the dog. It may start out as an innocent game, but dogs with predatory aggression may quickly turn on and possibly bite the child.