Normal and Abnormal Behaviour In Dogs
How Do I Know If My Dog’s Behaviour Is Abnormal?
If you are a first-time pet owner, it may be difficult to tell the difference between normal and abnormal behaviours. However, even if you have very little or no experience as a previous pet owner, the fact you are searching for abnormal behaviours would suggest that you believe something to be wrong with your dog. An owner’s instinct when it comes to their pet should not be downplayed, remember that you know your pet better than anyone. Perhaps you have noticed a sudden behaviour change, or just feel that something isn’t quite right.
What Causes Abnormal Behaviour?
There are four obvious causes of abnormal behaviours in dogs. The first is boredom – bored dogs may be destructive, vocal and even anxious. A bored dog will usually try to find their entertainment, and likely in ways that upset their owners such as digging and chewing household objects! The second possible cause of abnormal behaviour is illness or injury – an unwell or hurt dog may become more vocal, they may constantly be looking for ways to distract themselves from pain or they may even try to avoid the pain by sleeping a lot. A third common cause of abnormal behaviour is fear – dogs that are afraid may act differently. For instance, a dog that is scared of fireworks may hide somewhere they feel safe and become reactive if you attempt to move them. The final cause of abnormal behaviour is training – or lack thereof, perhaps you have unintentionally re-enforced negative behaviours and your dog now believes this to be acceptable.
Five Normal and Abnormal Behaviours:
The difference between normal and abnormal behaviours tends to be one of scale. All of the below behaviours can be both normal and abnormal dependent upon their frequency, circumstances and number. For instance, if your pet has suddenly started to engage in a number of behaviours that are out of character or the frequency of such behaviours has substantially increased, this may be a cause for concern.
Sleep
Dogs require rest, just like their human counterparts, they need time to allow their bodies and mind to recharge. The age and breed of your dog can affect how much sleep they need. For instance, puppies under six months of age will generally sleep between 18 and 20 hours per day! Likewise, you may notice that your elderly dog sleeps more, this is completely normal too. As dogs get older their energy levels often deplete and they spend more time snoozing. A cause for concern would be if your pet has suddenly started sleeping a lot more than normal, or if their excessive sleeping has begun at the same time as other unusual behaviors. Either of these circumstances may signal a physical illness or infection. If this is the case it is always best to talk to your vet and ask for guidance and further tests if necessary.
Play
All dogs are different when it comes to socializing with other dogs. Some breeds simply prefer to be lone rangers, enjoying their own company more than that of other dogs. There are also differences in styles of play, some dogs like to use their paws, some like to use their mouths, and others like a bit of rough and tumble. Just like humans, dogs may not get on with everyone, it may be that they have different play styles or they find size differences intimidating. All of this is completely normal. A cause for concern would be if your generally playful, sociable dog had suddenly become intolerant of other dogs. This could signify that they are in pain or injured, and if this is the case it would certainly be worth a trip to the vet.
Exercise
The exercise needs of a dog are dependent upon its breed, age, and health. When dogs are puppies their exercise should be limited to ensure proper bone growth. Older dogs may also need less exercise as their energy levels reduce. The Grange Retreat has written a blog on hiking/walking safely with your dog if you would like to read more on this topic. A sign of abnormal behavior when it comes to exercise would be that your previously active dog now shows no interest in going out for their exercise, again this could be a sign of ill health or injury best assessed by your vet.
Chewing
This is normal dog behavior, dogs should be allowed to exercise this instinct, through the provision of safe dog-friendly toys. Excessive chewing, however, may indicate an underlying problem. Your dog could be chewing to distract themselves from pain or discomfort or they may be looking for an outlet for their anxiety.
Vocalness
Certain breeds and dogs may be more vocal than others. Again as an owner, you are likely to know when your dog is likely to be vocal. For instance, signs of normal vocal behavior may be crying at the back door to be let out to the toilet, perhaps your dog becomes more vocal around mealtimes. As an owner, you are best placed to know when your dog usually vocalizes their needs. If you are finding that your dog is crying or whining more often than normal or for no obvious reason it may be that your dog is feeling anxious, afraid, or unwell. It is always worth getting this checked by your vet.
How Can I support Normal Behaviours?
- Sleep – Ensure that your pet has a safe, warm and comfortable space to rest undisturbed when they need.
- Play – Ensure you have safe, dog toys to allow your dog to express their needs to play. If they enjoy companionship from others of their species, try to walk them in areas that other dogs are likely to visit.
- Exercise – Provide your dog with regular opportunities to exercise, meet new friends, and toilet.
- Chewing – Providing dog-safe chew toys under supervision is a great way to allow your dog to express this natural need.
- Vocalness – Only reward vocalizations that you accept, for instance, if you are getting fed up with your dog crying at around 4 pm every day for their dinner, be sure not to give them their food until they are quiet. Mark the quiet with a command such as ‘good quiet’ and put down their food.
How Do I Manage Abnormal Behaviour?
To manage abnormal behaviour, you first need to find its source as there will be different solutions dependent on the cause. Finding the cause of abnormal behaviour is often a process of elimination. The first point of call is usually an appointment at the vet to ensure that no obvious injuries/illnesses are causing the differences in behaviour. Of course, your vet would be best placed to provide you with a treatment course if they do find an injury/illness upon examination.
If your dog’s abnormal behaviour is the result of boredom, then an easy fix would be to provide them with more stimulating toys and enrichment and perhaps increase walk lengths also. After all, a tired dog is a happy dog! If you find that your dog’s new behavioural developments are the result of fear the most important thing is to make them feel safe and try to reduce exposure to the event/object that is causing them anxiety. You may also want to approach a trainer to help you overcome these difficulties.