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Pet Behavior Solutions: Barking, Chewing, Jumping, Digging

Bubba is my friend and companion! Just a wonderful dog!!

Photo Credit
Kellie Mintern
Heidi Stonehill
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Pets, like humans, can develop some behavioral problems that annoy you. Here are tips to help you understand why your pet behaves this way and how to help your pet so that you all can coexist happily!

Barking

A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.


When dogs bark it is most commonly because they are trying to get your attention or because they see something that frightens or intimidates them. Here are some tips for how to deal with your barking dog.

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  • Take an empty soda can and toss a few pennies or pebbles into it so that when it shakes it makes an unpleasant, clanking noise that your dog won’t like. The next time your dog barks firmly say “Quiet” and shake the can. The sound will startle the dog causing it to stop, while also teaching it the “Quiet” command.
  • If your dog tends to yap more when he’s alone in the house he might be dealing with a mild case of separation anxiety. Before you leave, rub your hands all over one of his favorite chew toys. The scent will make the toy more appealing and can hush the barking. A hollow bone stuffed with cheese or peanut butter will also keep him occupied.

Did you know? Cats are able to produce about 100 different vocalized sounds. Dogs? Only about 10.

Digging

  • Dig a hole where your dog likes to dig. Blow up some small balloons, put them in the hole, and cover them with dirt. When the dog comes to dig in the loose dirt, he will pop a balloon with his nails and scare himself away from the area.
  • If you have a small dog digging in your garden, place several mothballs in a one-pound coffee can. Put the lid on and secure it with duct or electrical tape. Next, with a knife or awl punch lots of little holes in the lid. Place the cans where you don’t want your pet to dig. The mothball smell will repel your pets, but they are toxic, so make sure your pet can’t get into the can and eat them.)
  • Cats like the consistency of soil in gardens, but if you place pinecones or wood chips over the soil in your garden they won’t like the texture anymore and will find somewhere new.
  • If your cat is spending a lot of time digging around in the litter box, it’s probably a signal that it’s not being cleaned enough. Scoop out the box once a day and the change the litter frequently, especially if there is more than one cat using it.

Jumping

Nothing in the world is friendlier than a wet dog.

  • Watch your dog’s body language, and as soon as he’s about to jump sternly say “No,” or “off.” If you walk away and ignore him it will teach him that jumping will result in being ignored, which is the opposite reaction they want.
  • Next time your dog greets you at the door with a jump, hold his two front paws so that he’s in the standing position. Keep him in that position until you can tell he doesn’t like it and as you let him down say “No.” Your dog will get the hint that jumping up is going to cause discomfort.

Chewing

  • Keep dogs from chewing woodwork by sprinkling it with oil of cloves.
  • If your puppy is teething, place one of her chew toys in the freezer for a few hours, which will feel soothing to a sore mouth.
  • Sometimes excessive chewing is a sign of boredom. Different breeds have different activity levels, so talk to your vet to see how much exercise your pet needs. If this is the case, take your dog on more walks, or set up play dates with other dogs in the neighborhood. 

Do you have any tips, behavioral challenges, or comments? Please post below!

Pets & Farm Animals
About The Author

Heidi Stonehill

Heidi Stonehill is the executive editor for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, where she focuses much of her time on managing content development for the Almanac’s line of calendars. Read More from Heidi Stonehill

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Comments

Daniel Holtz (not verified)

3 years 5 months ago

To stop my dog from pooping in the house. The last pup I had would not do her business outside. I tried all the methods that worked in the past, but nothing worked. So I tried something new. The next time she went in the house, I took the dog, showed her the pile, rubbed her nose in it, yelled, screamed, smacked her on the nose with a newspaper...In short anything to scare the dog. Next I scooped up the pile, took it outside in the middle of the back yard. Took the dog out, showed her the pile and praise and petted the dog a lot. That was the last time she went in the house. Hope this helps.

A.J. (not verified)

7 years 10 months ago

My family has recently adopted a small dog from the pound, and she keeps on using my room as her bathroom! Any idea's as to make her see that this is not ok?!

Abi (not verified)

9 years 8 months ago

My naughty puppy barks at men? Not too sure what to do... Thx

Philipst (not verified)

10 years 1 month ago

I am at my wits end with my Maltese/bichon cross, barking, chewing just outright naughty. I have tried all bark collars, does not learn from them, soon as I take it off he is at it again, currently trying bark busters, very expensive, once again does not learn, barks when no one home, don't want to give away but it is real. Problem, can anyone have any ideas of how to fix the problem

The first step is to identify why the dog barks: protection, fear, separation anxiety, boredom, etc. Here is a helpful document on type of barking and some solutions:
http://www.sheltermedicine.vet.cornell.edu/documents/Barking.pdf
One trick we've tried is tying the "quiet" command to rewards. We hope this is a helpful start . . .

ila (not verified)

10 years 7 months ago

How can I stop my dog from jumping onto the dining table and kitchen counters and coffee table ? Once he's there we say off and he'll get down but I'd rather him not get up there in the first place.
Thank you in advance
Ila

Depending on why the dog is doing this will affect what approach might be successful. Hunger, attention, curiosity, boredom, etc. Some people have had success putting double-sided tape on the edges of the counter; the dog may not like the feel of it. Or, spraying the dog with a bit of water when he hops up. Some owners leave empty soda cans on the counter near a large treat, such as meat. When the dog finds the meat and knocks over the cans, the noise may scare him off; he may think that it isn't so pleasant an experience to hop up on counters next time (don't try this with a nervous dog, though). Of course, it helps to keep food off the counters, so the dog isn't tempted. Keep a bored dog more occupied. If your dog is always hungry, ask your vet about what foods might be more filling but not more fattening. For more information and suggestions, you might be interested in this article from the ASPCA:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/counter-surfing-and-garbage-raiding

amber lorraine (not verified)

11 years ago

This is my first time having a puppy and no matter what I do he will not use the bathroom outside, only inside. How do I change this? I've tried to puppy pads and rubbing his nose in it and i have tried to pick him up and take him outside.

at the moment I have puppy pads all over the house! HELP

There is not an easy answer but here are some suggestions from others who had this challenge:
http://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs/puppy/housetraining-dogs/index.cfm
Also, here is a good vet reference page:
http://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs/puppy/housetraining-dogs/index.cfm