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Behavioral or Illness – How to Decipher the Difference

When your dog acts up it can be frustrating, to say the least. This is especially true if you have already earned what feels like a Master’s Degree working with your dog through dog obedience training sessions. Of course, that is what should be more alarming.

If your dog has already been through obedience classes and is acting up, this really should be a red flag that it may be symptomatic of something else. Above all else, try not to lose your patience because it could just be your four-legged best friend trying to tell you that something is wrong with them.

Pay Attention to Your Pooch

Be it puppy or senior, if your dog is acting differently, it is time to take notice. It could be as simple as food allergies or something more serious – they may even be trying to alert you to your own possible health problem. So in order to decide if you need to call your Denver dog trainer or your veterinarian, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Has your pup recently had a vaccination? If so, this can end up leading to issues such as anxiety, anger or even aggression. While there are plenty of scientific reasons why certain chemicals in a vaccine can trigger certain behaviors, sometimes it is just a matter of your dog still feeling anxious over being stuck with a needle. Even if they have not shown this type of change in behavior before following a shot, like people, animals have good and bad days. Catch them in the wrong mood and you are likely to find their response entirely different.

Medications can also cause changes in how your canine companion acts. Before starting a temporary or permanent medication regimen, make yourself aware of the possible side effects that can result. That way, you will notice them when they manifest, if they do. Yet even food sensitivity can trigger undesirable conduct. Check for corn, which is a frequently sued filler as well as one that can influence how your dog acts.

Lethargy is nothing to take lightly. You may be ready to talk your pup for a stroll or just want to see them getting more interactive play time and can feel frustrated that they seem to be lazy. If your pet is acting lethargic, check with your vet before determining that this is an act of defiance and inactivity, by choice.

Urinating or defecating in the house can be frustrating. You finally think you have your dog housebroken only to find a quite unwanted surprise waiting for you. It can be easy to get upset but before losing your cool, you have to remember your dog knows better and is probably feeling some shame and embarrassment about it. The first thing to consider is are you realistically walking your dog enough? If you wake up in the morning or come home from a long day of work to this, it means your dog needs more walks and more opportunities to to relieve themselves. If that’s not the problem, it could still be medical, such as kidney stones, and should be looked into before assuming that it is an act of defiance.

Look Further Into It

The last thing that you want to do is end up dismissing a red flag for what could be a serious health issue. Punishing a pet for displaying symptoms of an illness will only lead to bigger problems, and cause your pet to feel as though they should attempt to conceal their symptoms. You can also always consult Dog Ventures, in order to find out more about what to watch for. Whenever in doubt though, your first point of contact should be your vet. The health and well-being of your pet I always the top priority.