Being a dog owner is pretty much a guarantee that for the next decade or more, you’re going to panic about every little thing that seems out of character for your pooch! Thankfully, you’re not alone in worrying about what your dog is doing and what that could mean, and plenty of pet owners have been through the same worries before you. After all, it means we have a full library of information to rely on when we’re concerned our dogs may be ill or in pain.
Of course, scouring the internet for some advice on your pet’s slightly weird behaviour can return all kinds of results, but there’s always something rational out there that will be of use to you! And that’s what this post is here for too. Some dog owner worries are more common than others, and knowing the ins and outs of what they could mean, and what you can do about them, will make life with your pup all the sweeter!
Firstly, always consult a vet
If you’re concerned about something to do with your pet, the best thing to always do first is take them down to the vet. You can never be sure that what seems like just an off day isn’t something serious. Dogs tend to be very good at hiding their pain and illness!
Now that’s out of the way, let’s get into the common worries every dog owner has had at some point or another!
Your puppy is super destructive
Puppies are always going to be a bit more destructive than older dogs. They’re babies, and they are going to misbehave simply because they haven’t learnt how to behave yet – or indeed, where they can let out their instincts in a safe way.
When you have a destructive puppy who you can’t seem to leave alone for even a couple of minutes, the first thing to check is that they’re not in pain. You’ll easily be able to test for discomfort by just checking them over with a few touches; if they don’t like being touched in a certain area, there could be something else going on.
However, if they’re completely physically fine and they’re still super destructive, it may be a behavioural issue you need to work on in the long term.
Double check they’re getting enough sleep, as this can make it very hard for a puppy to resist urges to tear anything they can get their jaws around into pieces.
You should also remove any sources of temptation from them, such as clothing, pieces of paper (like old envelopes), and items that aren’t toys they’re actually allowed to chew on. Then, anytime they seem to be mooching for something to destroy, distract them with their toy.
Their coat seems dull, rough, or is changing colour
In some dogs, coat colour changes can just be a part of growing up. If you’ve noticed some patches of their fur seming to grow in a different colour than usual, that could be what’s going on and it’s absolutely nothing to worry about.
That being said, coat changes can also indicate your dog’s diet isn’t what it needs to be. You may need to introduce a new food that’s packed with collagen for dogs which can help return the shine to their coat.
You could also be dealing with a slight deficiency as well. If their fur seems to be falling out more than usual, there’s a chance they could be missing a few nutrients from their diet.
However, it’s best to check with a vet before you introduce any new vitamin packed meals to their usual routine.
Your puppy struggles with separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is a very common problem in the dog ownership world. It’s something owners can accidentally reinforce, especially when they come home from work and see their dog excitedly wagging their tail.
You give the dog lots of attention, you pet and cuddle them when they jump up at you, and you tell them how good a dog they’ve been.It’s nice to see your dog, and it’s lovely to know they’re excited to see you, but this reaction can set a precedent for this behaviour.
Remember, you can lead your pooch into thinking that they’re right to be nervous and on edge when you’re not around simply by playing into the pay off when you come through the door again.
They seem to have allergies
Do you ever notice the skin around your dog’s eyes seeming a little red? Perhaps their muzzle turns this colour here and there too? Perhaps they get quite itchy after you’ve taken them out to the grass to do their business? Maybe they even shake their head a lot like they’re trying to get something out of their ears?
These can all be signs your dog is living with allergies. Again, get them down the vet, mention each of the symptoms above to them, and ask if you can have an allergy test done.
Of course, younger dogs under the age of 2 may not be suitable for a test like this. As a puppy matures, quite a few of their allergies will disappear, as they’ve simply grown out of them. Because of this, many vets only recommend allergy testing when a dog is at least 15-18 months old.
Feeling a bit worried about your dog?
Then the first thing to do is take them to the vet! It’s always best to get a professional to take a look at your dog, and to be able to talk to someone knowledgeable about the symptoms that are a cause for concern.
But if your dog is otherwise in good spirits and seems just like themself, take a look through the points above. Sometimes you need to put a little more time and energy in, sometimes you need to work out what’s triggering their allergies, and sometimes you may want to add something new to their diet!
