Top 12 Common Behavioral Problems in Dogs

If you're looking for help treating your dog’s behavior issue, or just curious about why your dog does what he does, you've come to the right place. Find out more here about common dog behavior issues to help you and your pup address some of our canine friends' behaviors and habits.

1. Digging

Dogs like to dig, and you'll need to train them to get them to stop. You need to catch your dog in the act to stop digging. Say "no" and distract him with a toy. Scolding him after he's already dug a hole doesn't work -- this is all about being consistent when they're digging, not afterward. Tip: Give him a sandbox where he can dig. Then bury some favorite toys and watch him have fun digging them out.

2. Chewing

Dogs, especially puppies, explore the world with their mouth. They like to chew because it calms them. But it's destructive and could lead to them eating things that they shouldn't -- like socks that could block their intestines. Break this habit right away. Give your dog chew toys, and give them to him when he chews things he shouldn't.

3. Begging

You can prevent this by never giving your dog food from the table. If you don't give him table scraps, he won't learn to beg. You can take him out of the room while you eat or put him in his crate. Or teach him to go to a special spot while you eat.

4. Not Coming When Called

Always praise your dog when she comes to you, whether called or not. That way she learns that coming to you is good. If she doesn't come, don't chase her. Call her again while moving away. If she still doesn't come, tell her to sit, and go get her. Running from her may make her come after you! Say "come" or "here." She may not understand what you want if you just call her name.

5. Pulling on the Leash

Help your dog learn to walk calmly beside you. Never let him pull. Or else he'll learn pulling sometimes pays off. Keep the leash short but loose. Stop whenever you feel it go tight. He'll stop to see why you aren't moving. When he comes back, reward him and keep walking. After a few days, your dog will learn that pulling gets him nowhere.

6. Separation Anxiety

If your dog gets upset when you leave, teach him that you'll always come back. At first, leave him alone for just 5 or 10 minutes. Stay away a little longer each time. Give him a chew toy and leave on the radio or TV. Be calm when you go and return so he knows that being alone is OK. Crate-training your dog can prevent separation anxiety. However, it can be trickier to crate train an anxious older dog. Ask your vet for advice.

7. Whining for Attention

Does your dog whine? If you pet her, look at her, or do anything except ignore her, you teach her that whining works. To stop it, turn your back when she whines, fold your arms and look away, or leave the room. Pet and play with her when she's not whining.

8. Barking at the Door

To cut the barking, teach your dog a new habit. Pick a spot within sight of the door. Then teach him to lie down, and stay when you say, "Go to your spot." That will help your dog stay calm and give him something to do while he waits to be greeted. Have a friend with a treat come to the door, but only open it when your dog’s quiet. Do this enough and he’ll learn to be quiet to get the treat.

9. Jumping

It’s natural for a dog to greet people by jumping up. But that can scare away guests! Don't give your dog attention unless he has his front paws on the ground. Then you can greet him and pet him. Or tell him to sit. Then wait until he does before petting him. It also helps to keep your greetings low key. That helps your dog learn to control his own excitement. Also, make sure you keep your dog from bothering or scaring people who aren't used to him.

10. Biting

Any dog can bite if she feels threatened or nervous. But socializing a dog early teaches her to feel relaxed around people. Gradually expose her to different settings so she will feel safe. Spend lots of time with her so she learns to trust people. Always watch for signs that your dog is uncomfortable and then do what you can to make her feel better. Be especially careful around kids and food.

11. Aggression

When dogs are aggressive, it's usually because they're afraid or nervous. If your dog is aggressive, work with a professional trainer or your vet to learn how to teach your dog to rely on you in a healthy way. Never leave an aggressive dog alone with children or unfamiliar adults, even if you think he's not likely to hurt anyone. Muzzle him in public places, if necessary.

12. Barking All the Time

Some dogs bark at things most dogs ignore. Some bark when they're frustrated. Don't yell at your dog when she barks. That may make it worse. Obedience training can help fix frustration barking. If your dog learns to sit before doing something fun like going for a walk, she learns to control her impulses. If your dog is outside all day, changing that may help compulsive barking. But you may need to work with a vet or a trainer.

5 Weight Loss Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has long been considered beneficial when it comes to keeping your weight down and as it turns out, there are five main reasons for this welcomed side effect. While there’s no such thing as an easy fix, by incorporating apple cider vinegar into a health diet and workout regimen, you may notice a shift in pounds. It may not be a magic elixir, but this ancient ingredient can lend a helping hand in the battle of the bulge.

1. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

In a study performed on mice, apple cider vinegar improved the way in which the liver and muscles absorbed sugar from the blood. These findings show that it can potentially keep your blood glucose level regulated (below 110 mg/dl), which will help your body burn more stored fat on a regular basis. If you have diabetes or even pre-diabetes, adding apple cider vinegar to your diet may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce a blood sugar spike.

2. Decreases Insulin Levels

Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to alter the ratio of the fat storage and fat burning hormones in the body; reducing the ratio of insulin to glucagon, which favors fat burning. Having lowered insulin encourages the breakdown of fat, which can then be used as an energy source. Insulin causes the body to store up excess fat, and glucagon signals the body to release the fat and use it as fuel, so it’s beneficial that apple cider vinegar can lower one and increase the other.

3. Improves Metabolism Functions

In another study on rats exposed to apple cider vinegar, they found an increase of the enzyme, AMPK present in their bodies, which increases fat burning and decreases fat and sugar production in the liver. These findings are promising for those of us who want to rev up our metabolisms, though it’s not clear how big of an improvement it would make since every organism reacts differently.

4. Reduces Fat Storage

Research has shown that after rats were fed vinegar, they were protected from obesity and even showed an increase in the expression of genes linked to reduced belly fat and liver fat storage. If you are struggling to lose weight in your midsection, drinking apple cider vinegar might particularly benefit you in that way.

5. Burns Fat

In a study where mice were fed a high-fat diet, they found a significant increase in the genes responsible for fat burning. In a test conducted on humans over a 12-week period, obese Japanese participants were split into three groups, one of which consumed 500 ml of a drink that had either 15 ml, 30 ml, or 0 ml of vinegar. When measuring the body weight, BMI, visceral fat, waist circumferences, and serum triglyceride levels at the end of the study, they found that those numbers were significantly lower in the 15 ml and 30 ml group, as compared to the people consuming 0 ml. These results show a connection between apple cider vinegar and a reduced likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome.