When does the Dog's Behavior become normal or abnormal?

What we must understand is that many of our pet’s unwanted behaviors are natural instincts. For example, barking at the sight of someone at your door is a method of protection and alerting you to potential danger. Also, chewing on shoes/valuables could be an indication of a serious medical issue.

It is important to be able to differentiate normal from abnormal behavior. Dogs' behaviors vary according to each breed. Instinctively, they may run after bicycles, cars or people because, in the wild, they are herding animals. Other dogs have been trained to bark when they hear or smell something new. This is common in the case of guard dogs and considered normal and healthy behavior.

Here are the 5 common dog’s behaviors explained

Some actions made by your dog do not require a training program to modify them. We can help interpret your dog's behavior and its causes through their body language. With this program, you will have the ability to tell if a behavior is normal, if it is related to a health issue, or if your dog's behavior requires training.

Dog behaviors explained:

·         Digging: Digging is a natural instinct in all dog breeds. This instinct stems from the need for a comfortable and cool place to sleep, burrowing until they reach a layer of soil that would be a suitable bed. Another cause of this behavior is the instinct to bury food and ensure their toys are not lost.

This behavior may become destructive and could require training when your pet destroys your lovely backyard or damages your furniture. This often stems from boredom or anxiety. In order to modify this behavior quickly, you will probably need to get the assistance of a professional trainer.

·         Chewing: Chewing is a natural instinct in dogs from the puppy stage, due to teething. Chewing relieves toothache and gingivitis. The puppy also relies on chewing as a means of exploring the environment. This habit, however, needs to remain in the puppy stage. Pillows, shoes, furniture and all other valuables could be in danger!

This behavior usually stems from separation anxiety. If you tolerate this behavior, the results will progressively get worse and worse.

·         Barking: This is an important means of communication for dogs. Barking is an effective method for reporting a danger that has happened or is about to happen. When a new guest enters your home and your dog barks, you should not punish them. This is their home, and barking is their first instinct in order to protect you and their space.

You may need training for abnormal barking patterns; barking constantly throughout the night, especially if it causes irritation for your neighbors and your family.

This abnormal behavior often comes from dogs bark is boredom, anxiety, needing attention/separation anxiety or needing to relieve themselves.

·         Biting: Unfortunately, biting is an essential means of communication between dogs from birth. It is an inherited behavior from the parents. The puppy communicates with their parents through nipping, and because you are essentially replacing their dog-parents, the puppy will try to communicate in the same way with you.

      With training, your puppy can begin to recognize that biting is not an effective means of communication with you and that it actually causes you pain or sadness. Remember, your pet always wants to please you!

Natural causes of this behavior come from the dog experiencing pain or for guarding duty. If their biting becomes harmful and excessive, it is necessary to train them out of this behavior.

·         Chasing: Dogs love to run and chase moving objects or other animals. This is a natural and healthy instinct inherent in dogs and should be encouraged when they are in a safe environment at the right time. If this behavior, like all others, becomes excessive or if the dog practices this behavior in dangerous places (i.e. running in the road, chasing children or other people) you will need to modify this as soon as possible. 

      The best way to train your dog is to allow special playtime where they are free to run, play fetch in safe areas such as a park or your home's backyard.

There are 3 degrees of a dog's inappropriate behavior. These can help you determine what your dog's condition is and how much training and time will be required.

·         Normal range: All actions from birth to puberty is considered normal and natural. Behaviors such as barking, biting and chewing are within their instinct.

·         Average range: Those behaviors are what represents real challenges to owners. When the behavior becomes unmanageable and you cannot prevent excessive chewing, inappropriate toileting, mouthing and nipping, or chasing other animals, you must enforce steady and stable training/rehabilitation of your dog.

·         Abnormal range: At this stage, your dog's behaviors are pathological. Destructive Behaviors that appear at this stage are difficult to treat on your own. This is due to incomplete socialization or growing up in an unhealthy environment. Any type of aggression that already exists requires a specialized trainer to fully rehabilitate them.