Dogs are great to have in the form of pets!
But many things must be considered after having a pet in your house. Dogs have complex emotional lives like humans, and these feelings can influence their behavior. When your dog is happy, it could result in overconfidence or distraction, which is frustrating but generally safe.
Similarly, changing behavior on the negative side is more concerning as it can cause you trouble. But, when underlying negative emotions are present, such as anxiety or fear, that can be extremely risky.
Moreover, these unfavorable feelings frequently lead to aggression. Not to mention that your dog finds it to be very uncomfortable.
So How Can You Assist Dog Behavior Changes?
Slide down to know!
1. Examine The Pet’s Body
Physical injuries are must more painful. Therefore, it must be addressed first. You must start by examining your pet’s body because there could be hidden injuries to the pet’s body.
It can be done while you perform grooming activities for your pet.
So, it would be best if you also keep the first aid box in your house so that minor injuries can be treated on your own.
Furthermore, if you find that the injury is severe, you should consult the vet for the best advice.
2. Focus On Counterconditioning
Changing your dog’s negative thoughts about an incident to good ones is a far safer approach. Your dog then views other dogs as an opportunity to earn a game or treat rather than as something to be afraid of. It all comes down to altering your dog’s perspective.
Every time the stimulus is presented, counterconditioning includes combining it with something your dog adores. Whatever that is, as long as it’s fantastic from your dog’s perspective, it doesn’t matter.
For example, tennis balls are something that your dog may prefer to play with, so do more of these activities. It can be an easy way to get rid of fear so that the pet doesn’t change its behavior.
3. Be Cautious About Negative Emotions
Negative feelings may get to the dog because there could be something unfamiliar, or they relate it with something negative when your dog feels apprehensive or afraid.
For instance, your dog may be fearful of strangers or other dogs due to a lack of socialization as a puppy. Or perhaps a bad experience in the past turned them off.
On the other hand, cats might not like having their nails cut since they were never taught to feel at ease when you touched their paws.
These changes hold a lot of significance among pets. Therefore, you must be vigilant about your pet and ensure your dogs have no negative emotions.
4. Ensure The Use Of Advantageous Things
You must not do everything verbally. Instead, use some awesome things to keep your dog at ease.
When you witness your dog changing its behavior, you should also change yourself. Start doing more care and showing more affection rather than being casual about everything.
As the pet recognizes this positive change toward itself, it also gets used to it and doesn’t get inclined to negativity.
These things also ensure the health and grooming of your pet, and comfort is an added advantage. So missing out on them won’t be a good idea!
5. Address Health Concerns
Health concerns are one of the most obvious things that can be easily understood. Therefore, health issues might also make your dog act out besides acting out, becoming hostile, or growling and biting.
For some owners, separation anxiety is a major issue. While they are away from home, their dogs cause damage to their house and destroy items. Moreover, excessive licking, ingesting waste, urinating indoors, and defecating indoors can all be symptoms of disease or injury.
So hygiene can be guaranteed by confining the pet to a safe place and not allowing it to go everywhere till everything comes to its place.
Moreover, you must also ensure regular checkups and vaccinations, so the pet stays healthy.
6. Desensitization
The other dogs won’t always be that close. Desensitization can help with that. That is how you acclimate your dog to anything by introducing small amounts of the stimulus and gradually increasing it until the desired all-out event.
It can be challenging to advance to the following level. However, after your dog has developed a good association with the specified level, you know they are prepared.
Their body language should be calm and comfortable, and they should look to you for their game, toy, or treat. It must be clear that your dog has figured out the stimulus foretells wonderful things before you up the challenge.
Conclusion:
Pets are sensitive, and their behavioral changes can be identified quickly.
It is advised that when you witness any minor change, try to manage it then and there. If you let it prolong, the problem might increase, making it difficult for you to correct it.