Are you thinking about welcoming a dog into your family? This can be a fantastic choice. As a starting point, dogs make great companions and there’s a reason why they are referred to as “man’s best friend.” If you have kids, dogs can also be great with them and help ensure that they are able to learn about the importance of responsibilities. You just need to make sure that you are choosing a dog that’s going to be the right fit. You should always be aware of some of the issues you can face bringing a new pup home in the first few months.
Destructive Behavior
When you bring home a new dog or puppy it can be a bit of a shock to the system. You may be used to heading out to work for long periods of time, however, now you have something else to worry about. If your new dog isn’t used to being left alone for long periods of time then they can become quite destructive. Huskies are a wonderful example of this, they get bored very easily and require a high amount of stimulation throughout the day. If they don’t get this then they have been known to trash their house. This includes ripping the curtains off the wall, chewing cushions, and peeing in their owners shoes. You can stop this by potentially hiring a pet sitter or sending your dog to a boarder if you know you will be out for a long time during the day.
Attachment Anxiety
You may find that your dog has attachment issues or separation anxiety. This means that if you leave your dog alone, they can be very distressed and it may result in a variety of negative behaviors. It’s unclear what causes separation anxiety in dogs. However, it’s worth noting that they are highly sociable animals. They’re used to being part of a pack so they want to be around members of the family. If you need to leave them alone a lot of the time, this might not be the right pet for you.
Diet Issues
A lot of dogs can have issues with their tummies, this means they will react to certain foods and may require a special diet. Certain brands of food have been known to give dogs an upset stomach and painful bloating. If you have concerns about this then it is always best to speak to your vet. They will be able to recommend a food or prescribe a supplement to avoid this happening. Some dogs respond better to a raw diet, this contains meat that hasn’t been pre-cooked for them. Bigger, working dogs such as Rottweilers are often raised on a raw diet. There are many benefits of feeding your dog a raw food diet, one is that you are avoiding allergens such as gluten and grain.
Aggression Towards Dogs
Some dogs that haven’t been very well trained can have an aversion to other dogs, this can make it almost impossible to walk them around public places. They could run off and you could find yourself faced with another angry dog owner. You can sort this problem out and avoid it happening by training your dog from the very start. Training on and off the lead with recall strategies will teach your dog what is and isn’t okay. You may also find that your dog is showing aggression towards other dogs because they are establishing their place in the hierarchy. Your dog may be assuming his natural position as the alpha of the pack.
Aggression Towards Humans
How do you stop a dog being aggressive towards other humans? This isn’t always easy. Usually, aggression in dogs occurs because they weren’t fully socialized as puppies. You need to ensure that they are spending time around different dogs, animals and humans of all ages and appearances. That’s why it’s a good idea to get them out as much as possible when they are young. If it’s too late for that, professional support will often be the only option.
Unable To Control The Dog
Are you struggling to control your dog? Perhaps you have difficulty getting them to follow when on the leash. Some people use inhumane methods of coping with this including spiked collars. However, this is a sign of poor training. The good news is that it’s never too late to get your dog under control. You just need to make sure that you are using the services of a professional dog trainer. They can work their magic on old and young dogs alike to ensure that they are more obedient.
Trouble With Barking
Some dogs bark excessively. This can be due to the fact that they don’t feel safe or it might be because they are easily startled. You could be worried that your dog barking is annoying the neighbors or it might be keeping you up at night. The first step here is to make sure that you identify the root cause of the barking. This will help ensure that you can alleviate the concerns that are impacting your pup. It’s also something else that you can train out with positive conditioning.
Won’t Walk On A Leash
Finally, you might have issues getting your pup to walk on a leash. This is a common issue with younger puppies who don’t understand why they should have a thing around their neck or why they should listen to you when telling them when to walk. The easiest way to manage this problem is with treats. If you give your pup a treat each time they move forward with the leash, you’ll find that they soon get used to the idea. Particularly, once they realize it means they get to go out and explore.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key issues that you can have when you bring a new dog into your life. The good news is that there are simple steps that you can take to manage virtually all of these issues and ensure that you find plenty of enjoyment looking after your new furry friend. It’s often just a case of recognizing the issues early and ensuring that you do seek out the right support.
