Good Dog, Bad Dog – How to Keep Your Pet Happy & Healthy

Most dog or cat owners occasionally experience bad behavior from a beloved pet, but if problems become more frequent, it could be a sign that it’s time to explore ways to problem solve and alleviate stress on the pet and the household.

Any pet who is continually acting out or behaving outside of their norm should first be examined by a veterinarian for any physical distress. Elderly dogs in particular might exhibit bad behaviors when there is something bothering them such as hearing issues, and they have no other way to communicate. If the pet checks out physically, though, the veterinarian can also supply suggestions to correct unwanted behaviors.

Training is not an activity that is simply finished when you and your puppy complete a course and receive a diploma. Those learned behaviors need to be continually reinforced as the pet matures. Like humans, pets can get set in their ways and need to be retrained, particularly if a pet parent hasn’t been consistent with command training. Taking a refresher course or booking time with a trainer might be a great way to address any issues and find solutions.

Behavioral issues in pets can vary depending on the kind of animal and the problem at hand. Common problematic behaviors for cats and dogs can include:

• excessive barking or crying/whining

• urine marking

• relieving themselves outside the litterbox

• destroying property such as pillows, furniture, and clothing

• jumping on people or counters

• chewing

• biting

• digging

• leash pulling

• fighting with other pets

Some pets begin to act out when there is a change of circumstances in the household such as a move, a separation, or an addition to the family. Pet owners in the military need to be aware of any changes in behavior during a deployment or PCS and need to be prepared to deal with them as soon as noted. Pets do miss absent family members and behaving badly can be their way of dealing with their feelings.

Play detective and think about what might be bothering your pet. It might be something simple such as lack of attention or boredom that can be easily addressed by spending more time with the pet to reassure them. In some cases, ignoring an attention-seeking behavior might be a quick way to get the pet to stop. The pet might also be craving more exercise or play so make sure these basic needs are met. If you notice your cat loves to chew on plastic or your pup destroys your shoes, prevent the unruly behavior by keeping the items out of their reach and removing these triggers from the environment.

Each bad behavior will have distinct corrective approaches, but in general, keep in mind that it’s always the behavior that’s bad, not the pet. Don’t yell or scold the pet and do your best to be patient. Trust the process. Rewarding good behavior with praise and occasional treats and communicating with the pet what you want them to do using simple commands is the best approach. If a pet parent practices reinforcement on a consistent basis, they can improve their bond and potentially prevent bad behavior down the line.