behavioral resources

Welcome to our behavioral resources page where we answer basic Q&As about pet behavior. For more extensive resources, visit our PDF Download Library.

DOG BEHAVIOR

Q – Why does my dog dig?

Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs, but may occur for widely varying reasons. Your dog may be:

·          Seeking entertainment

·          Seeking comfort or protection

·          Seeking prey

·          Seeking escape

·          Seeking attention

Dogs don't dig, however, out of spite, revenge or a desire to destroy your yard. Finding ways to make the area where the dog digs unappealing may be effective, however, it's likely that he'll just begin digging in other locations or display other unacceptable behavior, such as chewing or barking. A more effective approach is to address the cause of the digging, rather than creating location aversions.

Q – How do I prevent my dog from digging holes in my yard?

We recommend expanding your dog's world and increasing his "people time" the following ways:

·          Walk your dog regularly. It's good exercise, mentally and physically, for both of you!

·          Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice with him as often as possible.

·          Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks. Practice these commands/tricks every day for five to ten minutes.

·          Take an obedience class with your dog and practice daily what you've learned.

·          Keep interesting toys in the yard to keep your dog busy even when you're not around (Kong-type toys filled with treats or busy-box toys). Rotating the toys makes them seem new and interesting.

·          For dedicated diggers, provide an "acceptable digging area." Choose an area of the yard where it's okay for your dog to dig and cover the area with loose soil or sand. If you catch your dog digging in an unacceptable area, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, say, "no dig" and take the dog to his designated digging area. When he digs in the approved spot, reward him with praise. Make the unacceptable digging spots unattractive (at least temporarily) by setting sharp rocks or chicken wire into the dirt.

Q- How do I determine if my dog is fearful?

Dogs may display a variety of behaviors when they're afraid. A fearful dog will display certain body postures, including lowering his head, flattening his ears back against his head, and tucking his tail between his legs. He may also pant, salivate, tremble and/or pace. A frightened dog may try to escape, may show submissive behaviors (avoidance of eye contact, submissive urinating, rolling over to expose his belly), or he may freeze and remain immobile. Some dogs will bark and/or growl at the object that is causing their fear. In extreme cases of fearfulness a dog may be destructive (out of general anxiety or in an attempt to escape), or he may lose control of his bladder or bowels and, therefore, house soil.

Q- Why is my dog fearful ?

Determining why your dog is fearful isn't always essential to treating the fearful behavior, although the reason for his fear will dictate the relative success of the treatment. A dog that is genetically predisposed to general fearfulness, or a dog that was improperly socialized during a critical stage in his development, will probably not respond as well to treatment as a dog that has developed a specific fear in response to a specific experience. It's essential, however, to first rule out any medical causes for your dog's fearful behavior. Your first step should be to take your dog to your veterinarian for a thorough medical evaluation.

Q- What can I do to help my dog overcome his fears?

Most fears won't go away by themselves, and if left untreated, may get worse. Some fears, when treated, will decrease in intensity or frequency but may not disappear entirely. Once medical reasons have been ruled out, the first step in dealing with your dog's fearful behavior is to identify what triggers his fear. Most fears can be treated using desensitization and counter conditioning techniques, which require a lot of time and patience. You may need help from a professional animal behavior specialist to help you with these techniques:

·          Begin by exposing your dog to a very low level or small amount of whatever it is that's causing his fear. For example, if he is afraid of bicycles, start with a bicycle placed at a distance of 100 feet from your dog.

·          Reward him for calm, non-fearful behavior in the presence of the bicycle. Gradually move the bicycle closer to him. As long as your dog remains relaxed, reward him with treats and praise. If at any point he becomes anxious, move the bicycle further away and proceed at a slower pace.

·          When your dog can remain relaxed in the presence of a stationary bicycle, move the bicycle 100 feet away again, but have someone ride it slowly by him. Again, gradually increase the proximity of the slowly moving bicycle, rewarding your dog for remaining calm and relaxed. Repeat this procedure as many times as necessary, gradually increasing the speed of the moving bicycle.

·          This process may take several days, weeks or even months. You must proceed at a slow enough pace that your dog never becomes fearful during the desensitization process.

Q- Why do dogs bite?

Dogs may bite for a variety of reasons including: pain or sickness, anger, and fear or surprise.  To prevent dog bites consider the following:

·          The noises and movements you make when you play are very exciting to dogs. When dogs play with other dogs, they often play roughly with their sharp teeth and claws. Sometimes dogs forget that they can't play the same way with you, and because they don't have hands, they use their mouths to grab things. A dog can hurt you by accident, just by being too excited.  Play gently and calmly and if a dog gets too excited, freeze and walk away. Take some time out to give you both a chance to calm down.

·          If a dog is acting like he is sick or hurt, leave him alone -- even if he belongs to your family. When a dog is in pain, he doesn't understand where the pain comes from. If you touch him, he may think you are causing the pain and will bite you to stop the pain.  Tell another adult, and together you can get medical help for the dog.

·          When you're around a dog you don't know, be quiet and move slowly. Always ask the dog's owner for permission before you pet him. If the owner isn't there for you to ask, LEAVE THE DOG ALONE.

Q- What are common warning signs to look for indicating that a dog is upset?

If his ears are laid back against his head, or his legs are very stiff, he is probably warning you that he feels threatened and will protect himself if he must. If the hair on his back is standing up, that's another warning. If a dog is growling or barking with his teeth showing, it means he is ready to bite. A dog's warning signs mean that you're doing something he doesn't like, so stop doing it!

Q  - What should I do if I encounter a dog that is upset and/or aggressive?

Freeze, count to five, slowly and silently and move away very slowly, sideways or backwards.  If the dog jumps on you, act like a rock by curling up into a ball and covering your face and head with your arms.

Q - What actions should I avoid if I encounter an upset and/or aggressive dog?

Do NOT stare at the dog -- that means "I dare you to bite me!”  Don't run, jump or wave your arms around.  Don't scream! Don't throw anything at the dog or hit him.

Q- What should I do if I am bitten by a dog?

If you're bitten by a dog, or any animal, you should immediately wash the wound with soap and warm water and seek medical attention from a doctor. Write down the type, size and color of the animal. Was it wearing a collar? Did it have any identification tags? Where were you when you were bitten? Where did the animal go?  Report all of this information to the animal control agency in your city or county.