When moving around Los Angeles, you have probably observed other dog parents struggling to control their dog’s behavior. And you perhaps have thought, “That can’t be my fur baby and me.”
You may even be quite surprised when someone recommends a dog behaviorist (like us) after spending a little time with your darling pooch.
Owning a dog is a big responsibility. Not only do you need to provide them with food, water, and shelter, but you also need to train and socialize them. If your dog is exhibiting any of the following behaviors, it may be time to consult a dog behaviorist.
A Dog with Behavioral Issues Will Exhibit Warning Signs
Some of these might start small and be more inconspicuous at first. However, when they happen consistently, a pet parent should seek our behavior-restoring services.
1. Aggression & Biting
Aggression can be dangerous, and addressing it as soon as possible is essential. If your dog is aggressive towards people or other animals, it is crucial to seek professional help. A dog behaviorist can help you understand why your dog is aggressive and develop a plan to change their behavior.
Dogs use their mouths to communicate. A mother dog trains puppies to control their bite force right from when they are young. If your dog continues to bite other humans or dogs, this is a serious issue and must be corrected before worse outcomes occur.
2. Chewing
Dogs are natural chewers. If your dog is chewing on furniture, tearing up your belongings, or destroying things in your home, it may be a sign of boredom or anxiety.
Some pet parents develop their method of dealing with chewing by getting chewing toys and allowing more exercise to wear the dogs out. Exercise has proven effective and is recommendable to others who have pups with chewing problems. However, if it persists, it is necessary to visit an expert dog trainer and begin behavior therapy. A dog behaviorist can help you identify the cause of the destructive behavior and develop a plan to address it.
3. Excessive Barking
If your dog barks excessively, it may be a sign of a problem. Several things, such as boredom, anxiety, or attention-seeking, can cause excessive barking. A dog behaviorist can help you identify the cause of your dog’s excessive barking and develop a plan to stop it.
4. Fear & Anxiety
If your dog is fearful or anxious, it may be a sign of a problem. Fear and anxiety can cause several issues, such as destructive behavior, aggression, and housetraining accidents. A dog behaviorist can help you identify the cause of your dog’s fear or anxiety and develop a plan to help them overcome it.
Separation anxiety occurs because of overattachment to a thing, place, or person. Signs of this can be barking or whining, restlessness, destruction of properties, refusing to eat or drink, and potty accidents after they are fully potty-trained.
5. Confinement Issues
Your canine friend should be fine staying in the enclosure you have prepared as a shelter if it is comfortable enough and well-protected from the elements if it is outdoors. Crate training should be introduced to puppies early so they feel safe, comfortable, and secure when contained.
Confinement issues include excessive vocalization, refusing meals, excessive panting, unrest, biting the crate or pen, and any other sign that shows your dog doesn’t wish to remain in that enclosure.
6. Potty training accidents
If your dog is still having housetraining accidents, even though they are old enough to be potty-trained, it may be a sign of a problem. Housetraining accidents can be caused by several things, such as medical problems, anxiety, or simply not being adequately trained. After a trip to the vet to rule out any medical issues, a dog behaviorist can help you identify the cause of your dog’s housetraining accidents and develop a plan to overcome them.
7. Lack of obedience
If your dog is not obeying your commands, it may be a sign of a problem. Lack of obedience can be caused by several things, such as poor training, inconsistent training, or not being motivated to obey. A dog behaviorist can help you improve your dog’s obedience by teaching you how to train them effectively and encouraging them to obey your commands.
How to find a qualified dog behaviorist
If you think you need to hire a dog behaviorist, there are a few things you should do. First, ask your veterinarian for a referral. They may be able to recommend a behaviorist who is experienced and qualified. You can also search online reviews for dog behaviorists in the Los Angeles area. When looking for a behaviorist, ask about their experience, qualifications, and methods. You should also make sure that you feel comfortable with the behaviorist and think they’re a good fit for you and your dog.
Conclusion
If you are having trouble with your dog’s behavior, it is vital to seek professional help. A dog behaviorist can help you understand and change your dog’s behavior so that you can have a happy and harmonious relationship.
We offer professional dog training in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Venice, Mar Vista, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Ladera Heights, Westchester, Long Beach, Lakewood, and other areas in Los Angeles.
You can contact us here and book your initial consultation to get your dog’s behaviors under control as soon as possible. We can help address these problem behaviors via private training or through our boarding and training packages.
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