While many people associate euthanasia of dogs with disease or other catastrophic injury, the sad truth is that more dogs are put to sleep for behavioral issues that could be addressed with the appropriate training. Canine obedience training provides a compassionate, effective alternative to euthanasia in many cases and can actually strengthen the bond between a dog and their owner. At Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital, our staff has the skills and experience needed to identify and treat dog behavioral issues.
Both puppy training and adult canine training can ensure that a dog is not only well-behaved but is also socially adjusted. Many different methods of dog training are available to adjust many different behaviors or unwanted traits that may make it harder for a pet owner to allow the dog to continue living with the family. However, not all methods are humane or reliable and, in some instance, could make behavioral issues worse. For this reason, Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital recommends pursuing humane and proven methods of dog training only.
Some common behaviors that may be fixed through dog training include:
- Aggression – Often cited as the most common reason that pet owners seek dog training assistance, aggression is a natural defensive instinct. Although it is extremely important to ensure that a dog’s aggression is not targeted at other people or animals. Some examples of aggression include lunging, posturing, growling, biting or snarling.
- Excessive Barking – While barking is one of the ways that dogs communicate, it can be an obsessive behavior and excessive barking may be a nuisance for neighbors or the pet owner. If a dog is barking without reason for too often, obedience training may be necessary to curb it and eliminate it effectively.
- Food Guarding – This behavior is extremely common among dogs because it is ingrained in them from the early dates of wild canines. However, excessive food guarding by pets can lead to fights or other problems in multi-animal homes. If a dog is guarding his or her food aggressively, training should be schedule as soon as possible.
- Sexual Activity – Mounting is often a show of dominance among canines and both males and females are capable of this behavior. In excess, these issues may signify high stress levels, compulsion or other medical problems. If a dog is abnormally or frequently mounting or masturbating, training may help.
- Separation Anxiety – Pet owners are often the individual that a dog will interact with most, so some level of separation anxiety may be normal. However, negative behaviors like property destruction, excessive barking or defecation may signify a deeper issue. Often a combination of medication and training can help eliminate excessive anxiety in dogs.
- Excessive Whining – Whining may also be a normal vocal behavior for dogs; however, it could indicate a medical issue or condition that is causing this behavior to continue. If a dog whines excessively, training may be required to curb the issue if no other reason has been pinpointed medically.
At first, dog training can seem overwhelming, particularly if the dog isn’t quickly adapting to the training they are given. For some pets, training can be a large project to take on; however, once completed, the benefits are immense and pet owners can enjoy the time they spend with their best friend. Just remember that training is an ongoing process and requires dedication for it to remain effective.
Why Choose Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital?
Dealing with behavioral issues can be challenging for dog owners; however, they can often be treated effectively with training services. The team at Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital can help address behavioral issues humanely before other options like euthanasia should be considered. If you are ready to get started, contact us today to schedule your appointment with one of our experienced and compassionate veterinarians!