Chewing on your shoes is his favorite hobby
When a dog chews on your shoes, it might seem like just an annoying habit—but something is prompting this behavior. “Puppies may chew because of teething and should be supplemented with appropriate chew toys,” advises Dr. Nelson. “Chewing may also be attributable to boredom or anxiety. In that case, your dog may need some extra playtime or TLC.” If anxiety is the root issue, however, playtime alone will not necessarily help. Dr. Nelson suggests speaking with your veterinarian to help combat this issue. You may also want to check out these products specially designed to combat your dog’s anxiety.
Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. “They could be alerting you to perceived danger, greeting a person or another dog, chasing after a squirrel in prey mode, experiencing anxiety, or simply begging for your attention,” says Dr. Nelson. If your dog’s barking is directed at other animals or people outside the home, it’s likely due to territorial instinct. But if the barking is directed at you or another family member, there’s a good chance your pup is trying to tell you something.
Here’s some good news: “Giving dogs attention because they are barking doesn’t necessarily mean you are encouraging them to bark,” says Dr. Nelson. “If your dog is bored and needs additional playtime, giving them that affection could dramatically decrease the amount of attention-seeking barking.” Here are the best ways to stop your dog from barking—without yelling.
Pawing at you is your dog’s way of asking for attention or initiating play. Think of it like a friendly tap on the shoulder from a particularly enthusiastic friend. “While this most often means that your dog wants your attention and affection, it could [also] be a sign that your dog is anxious or looking to you for comfort,” says Dr. Nelson.
How can you tell the difference? A lot of it boils down to past interactions between the two of you. Dogs generally learn through trial and error, so if your pup has learned that you pay attention to him when he paws, he will continue to do it since it gave him what he wanted. You’ll also want to pay close attention to your pup’s body language. Dogs communicate with their whole bodies, and that should be taken into account when determining their moods. A timid or anxious dog would more than likely have a tucked tail, ears back, and a stiff body; he may also be panting, drooling, averting eye contact, pacing, and moving away from whatever stimulus is affecting him. A relaxed and comfortable dog will have relaxed, forward-facing ears; a calm and relaxed tail; and a calm body posture.
Either way, giving your dog affection at this time can help. You’ll either be fulfilling his need for snuggles or lulling him into a very real sense of security. This is how dogs get you to fall madly and deeply in love with them, by the way.
She Goes Potty In The House
Dogs do not pee or poop in the house to get even with you. Dogs are not vengeful by nature, even if they pee on your bed or poop in a spare bedroom.
Perhaps you came home and found urine or poop on a carpet. You shout at your dog, ask her what she did, and she cowers away. She isn’t acting guilty. She’s upset with your tone or voice. She hasn’t seen you all day, and the first thing you do on returning home is to raise your voice.
Dogs relieve themselves to express a variety of emotions, but revenge is not one of them. She may feel sad, depressed, or alone. She marks her territory by peeing on it, just like her wolf ancestors did in the wild. She smells your scent and she marks her territory.
This may also indicate that your dog has a health issue, such as a urinary tract infection, or kidney stones, so reprimanding your dog may not be the solution she needs.
Instead of getting upset with household accidents, make sure your dog has plenty of opportunities to relieve herself throughout the day and keep up with regular vet visits to rule out medical issues. Above all – don’t leave your pup alone for inordinate periods of time. And always use positive reinforcement when housetraining.
You Can’t Remember The Last Time You Took A Day Off Together
Whether it’s a picnic, a hike, a day trip, or a fun outing at the park, dogs love spending dedicated time with their human pack.
Ask yourself when you last devoted a day to your dog. Having done this many times in my life, I have zero regrets when I think back to the dogs I’ve loved and lost. Our day trips stand out in my heart and mind.
If you can’t remember the last time you spent a day pampering your dog, it’s time to act. Your pup will appreciate the quality time together.
Whether you live in a cold climate or experience warmer weather year-round, there’s always something you and your dog can do together for a day. Whether she’s a puppy or a senior, if dogs could talk they’d ask for more time with you.
Here are a few ideas for a doggy day spent together: