Is Your Dog Causing Chaos at Home? How to Handle Problem Behaviors and How Telavets Can Help!
By Telavets – Your Telemedicine Sidekick for Happy, Healthy Dogs
If your dog has turned your home into a war zone—chewing shoes, digging up the garden, or shredding pillows—you’re not alone. Problem behaviors like chewing, digging, and barking are actually pretty common, especially in dogs that are full of energy and curiosity. While it can feel like you’re living with a furry hurricane, the good news is that with a little guidance and patience, these behaviors can be managed!
At Telavets, we’re here to help you get to the bottom of your dog’s problem behaviors and provide practical solutions to help them become a well-behaved (and still lovable) pup. Let’s explore some common reasons behind problem behaviors in dogs and how Telavets can help you bring peace back to your home.
What Causes Problem Behaviors in Dogs?
Dogs can be little bundles of energy and curiosity, and sometimes that energy gets channeled into behaviors that aren’t exactly ideal—like chewing your favorite shoes or digging up the lawn. But before you get frustrated, let's take a look at some of the most common causes of problem behaviors in dogs:
1. Boredom
Dogs are incredibly intelligent creatures, and if they don’t have enough to do, they’ll often find their own ways to entertain themselves. This could mean chewing up your favorite pair of sneakers or pulling apart the throw pillows on your couch. If your dog’s behavior seems to get worse when you’re away or not engaging with them, boredom could be the root cause.
2. Anxiety
Just like us, dogs can experience stress or anxiety, and when they do, they often act out. Separation anxiety (when your dog gets stressed when you leave), fear of loud noises (like thunderstorms or fireworks), or general unease in new situations can lead to behaviors like chewing, digging, or scratching. If your dog’s problem behaviors happen mainly when you're not around, or during stressful events, anxiety might be to blame.
3. Teething
If your dog is still a puppy, teething could be causing some of the problem behaviors. Just like human babies, puppies go through a phase where they need to chew to soothe their sore gums. This can lead to some pretty creative chewing choices (like your shoes, furniture, or anything else they can sink their teeth into). It’s a natural part of growing up, but it’s important to guide your puppy toward appropriate chew toys.
4. Lack of Training or Socialization
Sometimes dogs act out simply because they haven't been properly trained or socialized. If they haven’t learned what’s okay to chew on or how to behave in different environments, they might turn to destructive (or problematic) behaviors like digging or chewing. Also, dogs that haven’t been exposed to various environments, people, or situations might act out due to uncertainty or fear.
5. Excessive Energy
Some dogs are just full of energy—and if they don’t get enough exercise, that energy can get funneled into behaviors you’d rather avoid. High-energy breeds like Border Collies, Huskies, or even Labrador Retrievers need lots of mental and physical stimulation. Without it, they can start digging, chewing, or getting into other mischief.
6. Medical Issues
In some cases, problem behaviors can stem from health issues. For example, if a dog is in pain (maybe from arthritis or another condition), they may chew or dig to self-soothe. In rare cases, older dogs might develop cognitive dysfunction, leading to confusion and problem behaviors. If your dog’s actions seem out of character, a medical issue could be at play.
When to Worry About Your Dog’s Problem Behaviors?
Some level of chewing, digging, or scratching is normal, especially in puppies or high-energy breeds. However, if the behaviors become excessive or start causing damage to your home, it might be time to take action.
Here are a few signs that your dog’s problem behaviors may be more serious:
- Excessive chewing or destruction of furniture, shoes, or important items
- Separation anxiety—excessive barking, howling, or destructive behavior when left alone
- Dangerous behavior, like chewing on electrical cords or other harmful objects
- Physical injury from digging or chewing
- Continued problem behaviors despite your best training efforts
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to consult a professional to help address the underlying cause of the behavior.
How Telavets Can Help Your Dog with Problem Behaviors
With Telavets, you don’t have to handle your dog’s problem behaviors alone. We specialize in providing high-quality telemedicine consultations to help you understand why your dog is acting out and offer practical solutions to help correct those behaviors. Here’s how we can help:
1. Virtual Consultations – Convenient and Expert Advice
Don’t want to drag your dog to the vet just to talk about their problem behaviors? No problem! With Telavets, you can schedule a virtual consultation with one of our experienced veterinarians to discuss what’s going on with your dog. Whether it’s chewing, digging, or separation anxiety, we’ll help you understand the root cause and work with you to create a plan of action.
2. Behavioral Assessment and Advice
During your consultation, our vets will assess your dog’s behavior to determine the cause. If anxiety or boredom is to blame, we’ll suggest ways to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated, like interactive toys, exercise routines, and puzzle feeders. If there’s a medical issue at play, we’ll explore that with you and offer treatment options.
3. Training and Behavioral Strategies
If your dog’s problem behaviors are rooted in lack of training or socialization, we’ll guide you through positive reinforcement techniques, crate training tips, and other methods to redirect their energy. We can also recommend resources, like trainers or online programs, to help you both succeed. Patience and consistency are key, and we’ll be with you every step of the way!
4. Medication for Anxiety or Pain
If your dog is struggling with anxiety, pain, or a medical issue that’s causing them to act out, we can discuss medication options. For example, anti-anxiety meds or calming supplements could help with separation anxiety or stress-induced behaviors. We can also suggest pain relief if your dog is chewing or digging due to discomfort.
5. Next-Day Medication Delivery
Don’t want to wait around for your dog’s medication? Telavets offers next-day medication delivery, so you can get the treatment your dog needs quickly and conveniently. Whether it’s a calming supplement or pain relief, we’ll have it to you fast!
6. Follow-Up Support – We’re Here to Help
Behavioral changes take time, and we’ll be with you every step of the way. If you don’t see immediate results, or if you need additional advice, we offer follow-up consultations to adjust your dog’s treatment plan or try new strategies.
Common Causes of Problem Behaviors (and How Telavets Can Help)
Here’s a breakdown of some common causes of problem behaviors in dogs, and how we can help:
1. Boredom
A bored dog is a mischievous dog. If your dog is chewing up your things because they’re not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, we can suggest a mix of interactive toys, daily walks, and mental puzzles to keep them busy and engaged.
2. Anxiety
Just like us, dogs can experience stress or anxiety, and when they do, they often act out. Separation anxiety (when your dog gets stressed when you leave), fear of loud noises (like thunderstorms or fireworks), or general unease in new situations can lead to behaviors like chewing, digging, or scratching. If your dog’s problem behaviors happen mainly when you're not around, or during stressful events, anxiety might be to blame.3. Teething
If your dog is still a puppy, teething could be causing some of the problem behaviors. Just like human babies, puppies go through a phase where they need to chew to soothe their sore gums. This can lead to some pretty creative chewing choices (like your shoes, furniture, or anything else they can sink their teeth into). It’s a natural part of growing up, but it’s important to guide your puppy toward appropriate chew toys.4. Lack of Training or Socialization
Sometimes dogs act out simply because they haven't been properly trained or socialized. If they haven’t learned what’s okay to chew on or how to behave in different environments, they might turn to destructive (or problematic) behaviors like digging or chewing. Also, dogs that haven’t been exposed to various environments, people, or situations might act out due to uncertainty or fear.5. Excessive Energy
Some dogs are just full of energy—and if they don’t get enough exercise, that energy can get funneled into behaviors you’d rather avoid. High-energy breeds like Border Collies, Huskies, or even Labrador Retrievers need lots of mental and physical stimulation. Without it, they can start digging, chewing, or getting into other mischief.6. Medical Issues
In some cases, problem behaviors can stem from health issues. For example, if a dog is in pain (maybe from arthritis or another condition), they may chew or dig to self-soothe. In rare cases, older dogs might develop cognitive dysfunction, leading to confusion and problem behaviors. If your dog’s actions seem out of character, a medical issue could be at play.When to Worry About Your Dog’s Problem Behaviors?
Some level of chewing, digging, or scratching is normal, especially in puppies or high-energy breeds. However, if the behaviors become excessive or start causing damage to your home, it might be time to take action.
Here are a few signs that your dog’s problem behaviors may be more serious:
- Excessive chewing or destruction of furniture, shoes, or important items
- Separation anxiety—excessive barking, howling, or destructive behavior when left alone
- Dangerous behavior, like chewing on electrical cords or other harmful objects
- Physical injury from digging or chewing
- Continued problem behaviors despite your best training efforts
How Telavets Can Help Your Dog with Problem Behaviors
With Telavets, you don’t have to handle your dog’s problem behaviors alone. We specialize in providing high-quality telemedicine consultations to help you understand why your dog is acting out and offer practical solutions to help correct those behaviors. Here’s how we can help:1. Virtual Consultations – Convenient and Expert Advice
Don’t want to drag your dog to the vet just to talk about their problem behaviors? No problem! With Telavets, you can schedule a virtual consultation with one of our experienced veterinarians to discuss what’s going on with your dog. Whether it’s chewing, digging, or separation anxiety, we’ll help you understand the root cause and work with you to create a plan of action.
2. Behavioral Assessment and Advice
During your consultation, our vets will assess your dog’s behavior to determine the cause. If anxiety or boredom is to blame, we’ll suggest ways to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated, like interactive toys, exercise routines, and puzzle feeders. If there’s a medical issue at play, we’ll explore that with you and offer treatment options.
3. Training and Behavioral Strategies
If your dog’s problem behaviors are rooted in lack of training or socialization, we’ll guide you through positive reinforcement techniques, crate training tips, and other methods to redirect their energy. We can also recommend resources, like trainers or online programs, to help you both succeed. Patience and consistency are key, and we’ll be with you every step of the way!
4. Medication for Anxiety or Pain
If your dog is struggling with anxiety, pain, or a medical issue that’s causing them to act out, we can discuss medication options. For example, anti-anxiety meds or calming supplements could help with separation anxiety or stress-induced behaviors. We can also suggest pain relief if your dog is chewing or digging due to discomfort.
5. Next-Day Medication Delivery
Don’t want to wait around for your dog’s medication? Telavets offers next-day medication delivery, so you can get the treatment your dog needs quickly and conveniently. Whether it’s a calming supplement or pain relief, we’ll have it to you fast!
6. Follow-Up Support – We’re Here to Help
Behavioral changes take time, and we’ll be with you every step of the way. If you don’t see immediate results, or if you need additional advice, we offer follow-up consultations to adjust your dog’s treatment plan or try new strategies.
Common Causes of Problem Behaviors (and How Telavets Can Help)
Here’s a breakdown of some common causes of problem behaviors in dogs, and how we can help:1. Boredom
A bored dog is a mischievous dog. If your dog is chewing up your things because they’re not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, we can suggest a mix of interactive toys, daily walks, and mental puzzles to keep them busy and engaged.
2. Anxiety
If your dog’s problem behaviors happen mostly when you leave the house or during stressful events (like thunderstorms), it’s likely anxiety is at play. We can offer calming supplements or recommend anxiety-reducing techniques, like crate training or making your home feel more secure. In some cases, medication might be necessary, and we can help guide you through that process.
3. Teething
Puppies chew to relieve the discomfort of teething. We can suggest safe chew toys to soothe their gums and recommend training techniques to help redirect their chewing behavior.
4. Medical Issues
If your dog’s problem behaviors are caused by pain or a health issue, we can help diagnose the issue and find the best treatment. From pain relief for arthritis to managing cognitive dysfunction in senior dogs, we’ll work with you to get your dog feeling better.
Why Choose Telavets for Your Dog’s Problem Behaviors?
At Telavets, we’re here to provide expert advice and solutions for your dog’s problem behaviors. Here’s why you should choose us for all your dog’s behavioral needs:- Convenience: Skip the stressful vet visits—schedule a virtual consultation from the comfort of your home.
- Expert Care: Our veterinarians are skilled in both health and behavioral issues, so you get well-rounded advice.
- Next-Day Medication Delivery: Get your dog’s medication quickly, so they can start feeling better right away.
- Ongoing Support: We offer follow-ups and adjustments to ensure your dog’s success.
Problem behaviors in dogs are common, but they’re usually manageable with the right care. Whether it’s anxiety, boredom, or something else, Telavets is here to help guide you and your dog through the process. Together, we’ll help your dog become the well-behaved, happy pup you know they can be!
Ready to tackle your dog’s problem behaviors and get back to the good times? Schedule a consultation with Telavets today, and let’s work together to bring peace back to your home!
