Doggie Gone Wild?

It happens all the time. Work has been crazy with your upcoming deadline and long hours are in demand to get the job done. Unfortunately, the only time you have seen Fido is for 10 minutes to let him out, feed him, then it's back to work until late. Upon arriving home at 11 p.m., you discover that Fido has been busy since you saw him last. He chewed the corner leg of the brand new sofa, pulled items off the kitchen counters, and there is a huge puddle by the back door. Frantically you scour the rest of the house for more damage...

According to recent research at the University of New York at Buffalo, people with hypertension who adopted cats or dogs had lower blood pressure during stressful situations than non-pet owners, but what happens when Fido is causing stress? He is left at home to entertain himself for 10 hours or more during the workday. The less quality time and attention he gets from his owners, the less his behavior resembles Lassie or Rin Tin Tin. However, before blaming Fido, consider that the owners are responsible for the behavior change – not a doggie gone wild.

Cyndi McLellan, Certified Canine Specialist for Bed Bath N' Bonz, has over 30 years experience training dogs. “In today's society, most dogs are bored and under-stimulated, both mentally and physically,” she explained. “A lot of what people call 'bad' behavior is just a dog's way of entertaining himself.”

Despite what the owners think, Fido does not experience human emotions like humans. “Dogs live in the moment and they are amoral – they don't feel guilt,” McLellan explained. “That look you see on your dog's face when you found the little 'present' he left you in the living room is simply the dog's reaction to your body language. He's seen that look on your face before when he's left you a gift and he knows nothing good comes next.”

Some owners may ask, “Are the owners always responsible for the dog's bad behavior?” McLellan says, “yes” because it is the owner's responsibility to teach their dogs appropriate ways to get their needs met. “Puppies, for instance, need to chew. They are cutting teeth. It's the owner's responsibility to provide an appropriate outlet for this. Interactive toys will help keep them entertained while alone all day,” she said.

As the typical lifestyle of the American home changes, it becomes harder for canines. Once, dogs roamed the neighborhood, socialized and got exercise. “Today's dogs must be kept in a fenced yard, in the house, or in a crate while the adults go to work for eight to 10 hours a day. Once everyone is home, there are meals to be fixed, homework to be done, laundry to be folded [and] precious little time to interact with the dog who has just been waiting all day for someone to come home an give him some attention.”

Dogs are highly adaptable and McLellan says even a little quality time can make a big difference in a dog's life. “Five to 10 minutes a day of training a couple times a day can result in a major difference in a 'problem' dog in a couple of weeks,” she said. She suggests training your dog during commercials while watching TV. And anytime the owner interacts with the dog, someone is being trained – either the owner or the dog. “A dog that successfully begs at the table has trained the owner to deliver food on demand. Remember, dogs do what works,” she prompts. “They are like kids – negative attention is still attention!”

For example, pushing down a jumping dog may actually seem like a game to the dog. She says, “A dog starts barking and the human yells at him to shut up – the dog thinks, 'ah, my human is barking too! What fun we are having!” McLellan says you have to teach the dog what you consider unacceptable behavior. “For instance, I start my dogs out with my kitchen as an 'off-limits' area. It's always easier to reinforce good behavior (staying out of the kitchen) than it is to break a bad habit (counter-surfing). And the best solution for jumping up onto people? McLellan instructs owners to cross their arms, turn away from the dog and give the dog no attention until all four paws are on the ground. Consistency is key. Even visitors should be told your dog is in training and to ignore him until he is calm.

Another common: Fido goes to the door when nature calls but he doesn't always bark. You don't always see him at the door and sometimes there is a puddle. First, any health problems should be ruled out and scolding or yelling is not recommended. “Often times owners yell at their animals for 'accidents' in the house – this just causes them to be more anxious and often exacerbates the situation,” Deborah Tittle Dobbs, SPCA of East Texas President, shared. If it is not a heath issue or psychological issue, retrain the dog to communicate differently.

Trisha Johnson, owner of Noah's Critters Pet Sitters, a member of Pet Sitters International, has completed an accreditation course on the care of all types of pets and is also pet first aid certified. She says, “Not every dog barks to go outside. Mine paw at the door. I have a customer who's dog paws at a bell that hangs from the door,” Johnson instructs. McLellan lends additional advice, “You've got to teach them what you want. You get to make the rules, but then you have to tell them what the rules are!”

The key to a polite, well adjusted dog: “Training, training, training – exercise, exercise, exercise, consistency, consistency, consistency,” Johnson promotes. And McLellan explains that it all goes back to the original question, “Instead of 'bad' behavior, I prefer to call it inappropriate behavior. You get to decide what the rules are going to be in your home, but then make sure you communicate that clearly through training to the dog. Lack of exercise, both mental and physical, is a major contributor to most of the nuisance behaviors I get calls about.” Get some toys that give Fido a chance to use his brain during the day. And a daily walk or runs around the neighborhood mellow his behavior too. McLellan revealed, “It's really true that a tired dog is a good dog!”

Routine veterinary care can help ensure inappropriate behavior is not health related. Typically, a good dog is a dog with committed owners and a safe living environment. “High anxiety and increased tension in a household can often transfer to your pet and result in [bad] behavior,” Dobbs explained. “A pet must be taught. Animals can provide tremendous joy but they need regular human interaction using patience, praise and positive reinforcement.” Much like children, dogs don't come with manuals and they aren't born with perfect behavior.