Dog Behavior Problems - Is Your Dog Bored?

Often dog behavior problems are caused by boredom. Is your dog left alone all day or left alone for hours at a time? Is your dog confined to the backyard rather that allowed in the house?

Many dogs need the companionship of people. They crave interaction with their family members. A dog stuck in the backyard gets very little human companionship.

There are also dogs that require a lot of exercise and lots of mental stimulation. Dog breeds such as the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd go crazy if confined to a small area with no opportunity to run. These dog breeds and many others also need plenty of mental exercise.

Dogs that have behavior problems are often simply dogs that do not get the exercise, companionship or mental stimulation that they need. If your dog sits in the backyard barking all day (or all night), or if he digs up the flowers and chews on the patio furniture, he might be simply trying to find ways to fill the hours and hours of loneliness and boredom.

Every healthy dog needs some form of exercise every day. Whether you have a Pug, Chihuahua, or Labrador, you need to take him for a walk every day. Exercising relieves built up tension and stress, improves the dog’s temperament, and makes him easier to handle at home. The exercise is also very good for you.

Keep in mind, too, that there are some breeds that simply must not be left outdoors year round. Pugs and other similar dog breeds cannot handle cold or warm temperatures. Other dogs, such as Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards enjoy cold weather but cannot endure hot temperatures.

Take this into consideration when you are deciding on a dog. If for whatever reason you simply cannot put in a dog door for your dog to go in and out during the day while you are gone, do not get a dog that cannot handle the temperatures of your area.

Also, if the dog is going to sit home alone all day, be sure you can devote some time every morning and evening to taking the dog for a walk. This will help a lot towards alleviating many dog behavior problems.

Besides exercising your dog, you can also provide toys for him to play with during the day. There are toys, such as buster cubes, that dogs find very interesting. A buster cube can keep a dog busy trying to get the treats hidden away inside.

Giving your dog daily exercise and providing toys for him to play with and chew will help a lot in relieving behavior problems. Letting him be inside with the family will help, too. And of course, as your dog ages he will naturally calm down as he has less energy that he needs to run off.