Destructive Chewing
Dogs may chew furniture, shoes, and other household objects out of boredom, anxiety, or a need to relieve pain while teething. According to one study, 2.5% of dogs chew household objects like furniture on a daily basis while 2.2% chew their resting places daily (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159121001593). This destructive chewing can lead to expensive damage to belongings. One source estimates the average dog causes $850 in damage per year from chewing behaviors (https://973thedawg.com/the-average-dog-does-how-much-damage-every-year/). Left unchecked, destructive chewing indicates an underlying problem like separation anxiety, teething pain, or simple boredom that needs to be addressed through training, exercise, and providing proper chewing outlets.
Begging/Stealing Food
One common bad habit in dogs is jumping on counters, tables and other surfaces to beg for or steal food. According to research, this type of feeding behavior involves the “rapid consumption of large amounts of food at one meal, with the main limitation being gastric distension” (https://vetfocus.royalcanin.com/en/scientific/canine-feeding-behavior). Allowing dogs to steal food can reinforce this unhealthy behavior and lead to obesity and other health problems.
When dogs are able to easily steal food from counters, plates or trash, it can contribute to weight gain. As noted by The East Valley Animal Clinic, “Dogs who are packing a few too many pounds become susceptible to joint pains, diabetes, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, and heart disease” (https://www.eastvalleyanimal.com/dangers-of-feeding-table-scraps/). It’s important not to reward begging and counter surfing by giving dogs table scraps or unattended human food.
Excessive Barking
Excessive barking is one of the most common and frustrating dog behaviors that owners deal with. Barking at noises, people, or other animals can indicate an underlying fear or anxiety issue. It also disturbs neighbors and others in the household.
Studies show that nuisance barking is a major problem worldwide, with an estimated 1 in 3 dogs exhibiting excessive vocalization. Complaints about nuisance barking make up a large percentage of behavior cases seen by veterinarians and trainers.[1]
Research on bark acoustics shows that certain bark characteristics like pitch, tonality, and intervals tend to be perceived as more annoying than others.[2] This means dogs with particularly shrill or repetitive barks often elicit noise complaints.
Studies using bark-activated recorders in homes have found the average dog left alone barks 4-5 times over an 8 hour period, with barking episodes averaging 30 seconds each.[3] Just a few minutes of barking can seem excessive and disruptive to nearby households.
Excessive vocalization needs to be addressed through training, exercise, relieving boredom/anxiety, and noise reduction. Otherwise it can create tension with neighbors and jeopardize your dog’s welfare.
Digging
Digging is a common undesirable behavior in dogs that can wreak havoc on a yard or garden. Dogs dig for a variety of reasons, including boredom, prey drive, seeking comfort, or sheer enjoyment. Unfortunately, this natural canine behavior can destroy landscaping and gardens (https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-landscaping-cost.htm).
Digging in the yard or garden beds can damage plants, shrubs, flowers, trees, and grass. Dogs may dig up newly planted areas, uprooting flowers, vegetables, or trees before they have time to establish themselves. They may also dig around established plants, damaging their root systems. This can kill perennials, bushes, and even mature trees over time. Replacing plants and reseeding destroyed grass areas can be incredibly costly.
In addition to plant damage, dogs digging in the yard create unsightly holes that can be a tripping hazard to humans. Filling in holes repeatedly is frustrating and time-consuming. Preventing dogs from digging up the yard and gardens saves considerable time, money, and frustration when it comes to landscaping and gardening.
Jumping
Many dog owners struggle with their pets jumping up on people or furniture, which can lead to scratches and dirt on clothes and furniture. This behavior is often mistaken as a friendly greeting, but in reality it is not appropriate dog manners. According to a 2018 study, large dogs can easily knock over small children or elderly when they jump up [1]. Some people are afraid of dogs and can be traumatized when a dog jumps on them unexpectedly.
Jumping up is a natural dog behavior when excited, but it should be discouraged through training. Provide rewards when your dog has four paws on the floor instead of jumping. Turning away or ignoring the dog when they jump can also help curb this behavior. With consistent training, you can teach your dog to keep those paws on the ground.
Pulling on Leash
One of the most common and frustrating leash manners issues dog owners face is pulling. According to a 2020 study published in PubMed, there were over 350,000 estimated dog leash-related injuries treated in US emergency departments from 2004 to 2018 (Forrester, 2020). The study found that upper extremity injuries, such as strains and sprains to the wrist, hand, arm and shoulder, were the most frequently reported injuries. Injuries often occur when a dog suddenly lunges or pulls hard on the leash.
Excessive pulling while walking makes it very difficult to control your dog and can result in injuries from falling or sudden jerking motions. Even well-trained dogs may get excited and start pulling on walks when they see another dog, person, or small animal they want to chase. Using proper leash training techniques can help curb pulling behaviors.
Forrester, M. B. (2020). Dog leash-related injuries treated in US emergency departments. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32739848/
House Soiling
House soiling refers to when a dog urinates or defecates inside the home. This is one of the most common behavior problems reported in dogs, affecting around 20% of pet dogs [1]. House soiling indicates that the dog was either not properly house trained or has an underlying medical issue causing it to lose control of its bladder or bowels.
Common medical causes for house soiling include urinary tract infections, bladder stones, diabetes, kidney disease, incontinence, and gastrointestinal issues [2]. These conditions can cause increased urination, inability to hold urine, and loose stools. It’s important to have the dog evaluated by a veterinarian to diagnose and treat any illness leading to accidents in the house.
For dogs without medical issues, house soiling generally indicates the dog was not properly housetrained. Refresher training should focus on taking the dog out more frequently, rewarding correct bathroom habits, supervising in the house, and removing access to previously soiled areas [3]. Patience and consistency are key in re-establishing good bathroom habits.
Attention-Seeking
One annoying dog habit is constant attention-seeking through pawing, whining, or barking. This behavior can indicate that the dog is anxious, bored, or lacks enough mental and physical stimulation (Dos & Don’ts of Attention-Seeking Behavior). Dogs are social animals that crave interaction with their owners. If a dog is left alone for long periods or does not get enough exercise and playtime, they may resort to attention-seeking habits.
Excessive attention-seeking should not be reinforced by giving the dog what they want every time they whine or paw at you. This trains them that the behavior gets results. Instead, ignore mild attention-seeking and reward the dog only when they are calm and quiet. Make sure the dog’s basic needs are met through daily walks, play sessions, toys to keep them occupied, and quality time with owners. If attention-seeking stems from separation anxiety, consider crate training to ease the dog’s distress when alone.
Chasing
One bad habit that some dogs develop is chasing after things like joggers, cars, bicycles, and wildlife. This tendency to chase can put the dog in danger of getting injured, especially if it runs into the street or chases after something much larger than itself. According to a study published in PMC, 81.8% of field workers reported being chased by a dog during work visits, indicating this is a very common behavior in dogs [1].
If a dog is chasing joggers or cyclists, it risks getting kicked or hit by the moving person simply trying to get the dog to cease the behavior. A dog chasing cars or other vehicles can easily get struck and killed in traffic. Chasing wildlife like deer can result in the dog being attacked and seriously injured by the wild animal defending itself. Overall, chasing habits present many threats to a dog’s safety.
It’s important for owners to train their dogs not to chase after things unnecessarily. This keeps the pet safe and also prevents them from threatening or bothering other people or animals. Stopping chasing is best addressed through positive reinforcement training and providing proper physical and mental stimulation for the dog.
Conclusion
Every dog has the potential to develop unwanted habits if left untrained or without proper care. Some bad habits like destructive chewing and digging can damage your home and possessions. Excessive barking can disturb neighbors and be a nuisance. House soiling makes a mess. And behaviors like jumping, chasing, and stealing food can be annoying or even dangerous.
The key is addressing these habits through compassionate training methods, establishing a routine, providing adequate exercise, and giving your dog the attention they need. While no dog will be perfect, having realistic expectations and investing time into training will help curb undesirable behaviors. With patience and persistence, you can help your dog become a well-mannered companion.