There are times when only a dog will do

For a friend . . . when you’re beaten sick or blue

And the world’s all wrong, for he won’t care

If you break and cry, or grouch and swear

For he’ll let you know as he licks your hands

That he’s downright sorry . . . and understands.

 

What has gone wrong? Behavioral problems are one of the major reasons why a dog ends up in a dog pound or shelter. Did you ever realize that the dogs we have today are man-made? Therefore, it is quite logical that these behavioral problems are man-made also. People understand people or at least they make an attempt through counseling. But, few people understand a dog and even fewer dog owners look for counseling to change their dog’s behavior. But a dog’s behavior can be modified if the owner gives the dog an opportunity to change.

What are the most common behavioral problems or potential problems facing a dog owner? Housebreaking is one of the problems people need help with. A puppy, being housebroken, must be confined to a small area or preferably in a cage. The puppy is watched carefully to establish a routine. Actually, the owner is the first to learn and then the puppy follows, quickly learning the routine! Housebreaking can be achieved in a short period of time without a mess in the house and no frightened puppy with his nose in the mess or swatted with a rolled up newspaper. Consistency and a concentrated effort will eliminate an unhappy relationship during housebreaking as well as future problems.

Another behavioral problem is the destruction of things when a dog is left alone all day in the house. Solitary confinement produces frustration and stress. As this builds up, the tension is relieved, to some degree, by chewing. Many times a destructive dog is left outdoors to spare the house. But, there are a few things and owner can do to correct the problem, such as confining the dog to a small area (the cage again can save the day), having the dog walked at lunch time to break-up the day, adding another pet, possibly a cat to the household, or have the radio left on for the dog to hear voices and music. The point is that the problem can be solved nine out of ten times.

Many dog owners complain that their dog does not come when called. When a dog is always free to go out without a leash and not taught to come on command, why should the dog come when called? Here again, just time, consistency, and patience can solve the problem. After all, a dog that does not come when called has had the control, not the owner.

Finally, many dog owners complain that their dogs are too aggressive, especially large dogs originally bred for herding, guarding, and protecting. All puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old learn to approach and interact with humans; that is the primary socialization period. From 12 weeks to 24 weeks of age, the second critical socialization period begins with the puppy interacting with strangers, new places, and noises and the puppy learning confidence in his environment. Lack of proper socialization at a very early age causes dogs to mistrust people, other dogs, and strange surrounds. These dogs have been alone too much and that can become a very serious problem. Socialization and proper play games, not rough-housing, will eliminate many problems in the future.

If you have any of these behavioral problems with your dog, why not seek help? Remember, your dog has rights and one of his rights is to be understood. There are many schools in the area that you can call, or ask your veterinarian for advice. An unhappy relationship with your dog can change. Why ignore the problems big or small, when there is help right around the corner. It is better than leaving the dog to an animal shelter!