Behaviour
How can I stop my dog jumping the fence and running away?
If your dog is jumping the fence and running away, the first step is to work out why. When you identify the reason(s), you can take steps to address the issue. Dogs jump fences for different reasons. They may be bored, lonely or scared to be left alone.
How should I introduce my new dog or puppy to my existing cat?
Introducing a new canine member to the family is a special and exciting time, but it can be a little overwhelming for all concerned – especially if you already have a cat! However, this can be managed with planning to help keep everyone safe and to minimise stress.
What can I do if my dog is anxious when I’m not at home?
Dogs are highly social animals who generally prefer to live in groups. Many dogs can become anxious when separated from their human family.
My dog is being aggressive, what should I do?
Aggression is defined as a threat, challenge or attack that is directed towards one or more individuals. Signs of aggression may be visual (changes in body posture, piloerection – hair raises up) and auditory (growling, barking) and may involve the use of teeth and occasionally claws.
My puppy is chewing everything, what should I do?
Chewing is a normal dog behaviour, and dogs should be provided with opportunities to chew things. However, chewing can be a problem if it’s excessive, or if the dog is injuring themselves or damaging property.
Should I hug my dog or cat?
It is best to avoid hugging your dog or cat because, although a tight hug is often a sign of affection between people, it can feel threatening to a dog or a cat.
How can I socialise my puppy?
There are many ways that you can make sure that your puppy has lots of different and positive experiences that will help them grow into a happy and confident adult dog. Socialisation There is a ‘critical socialisation period’ for puppies between approximately 2. 5 to 14 weeks of age.
My dog is digging up the garden, what should I do?
Digging is a normal dog behaviour. A dog who digs is not being disobedient. Dogs may dig to help them cope, so punishing them or stopping them without understanding why they’re digging can compromise their welfare and lead to more problems.
My neighbour’s dog is constantly barking and disturbing me, what should I do?
Barking can be a source of annoyance and frustration for neighbours. Barking is a natural behaviour of dogs so if there are dogs in the neighbourhood, there is an expectation that they will bark.
What causes dogs to bark excessively?
Barking is a normal behaviour in dogs. Humans have encouraged and selected for barking over generations of domestication. What constitutes excessive barking can be subjective, but it can be associated with problems for owners, neighbours and the dog. Dogs bark excessively for different reasons.