Collaborative Post
A dog is a great addition to any family but, if your pooch is displaying less than desirable behaviour, it can make life stressful. From excessive chewing to out-of-control barking, there are many ways that ‘bad behaviour’ can impact your quality of life. Fortunately, simple solutions are often available. To learn more, take a look at these four ways to improve your dog’s behaviour:
1. Find the Root Cause
Undesirable behaviour generally has a root cause, so finding out what’s causing your dog to behave badly is the key to changing their behaviour. If your dog acts up when left alone, for example, separation anxiety may be the problem. Alternatively, if your dog’s character or temperament has changed, an undiagnosed medical condition or injury could be why. By taking the time to find out why your dog’s behaviour isn’t great, you can implement effective changes and resolve the issue.
2. Change Their Food
Just like humans, dogs are greatly affected by the food they consume. Feeding your dog poor quality food could be causing them to be hyperactive, which may result in bad behaviour or excessive exuberance. To combat this, try changing their food. When you switch to a raw food diet, for example, you can be confident that your dog is getting all the nutrients they need, without any unnecessary preservatives. It’s easy to switch to a raw food diet. Bella & Duke has useful guides to help you make that transition. In addition, they can deliver ready-to-eat raw dog food straight to your door.
3. Spend More Time Outdoors
If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, it can certainly lead to unwanted behaviour. The amount of exercise your dog needs will depend on their breed and age, but some dogs can require around two hours of exercise a day. While this can seem like a lot at first, this can be broken down into one or two walks throughout the day, which makes it easier to manage.
By practicing your dog’s recall, you can let them ‘off lead’, which gives them the opportunity to run and burn off some of that excess energy. As a result, they’ll be more tired at home and, therefore, less likely to display undesirable behaviour.
4. Play More Often
Although dogs require a good amount of physical exercise, they also need to be mentally stimulated. Playing games, hiding treats, and engaging with your dog can have a big impact on how ‘good’ they are. When you combine a healthy amount of mental exercise with daily physical activity, you should notice a positive change in your dog’s behaviour.
5. Training Your Dog
While some behaviours, like chewing or barking, can be addressed by owners, other behaviours, like nipping or growling, can require expert intervention. By working with a dog behaviourist, you can learn
how to put a stop to unwanted behaviour and ensure that your dog is a happy member of your family. Not only will this improve your dog’s life, but it will also make you a happier, calmer, and more content owner.
