Numerous problem behaviours in cats and dogs are based on fear, tension, and anxiety. In some circumstances, human behaviour is the main cause of a pet's actions. The dog or cat is always blamed for the bad behaviour and pet owners fail to understand what's really going on.
Three common mistakes made by pet owners result in unwanted behaviors in their dogs and cats. Here’s what they are, and how you can fix them.
Ignoring a pet's body language is wrong. Most pet owners are unable to understand what their pets are trying to say. Your cat or dog could ask you to give him some space using basic body language.
More warnings, such as growling or hissing will progress if signals are ignored. If a pet's warnings go unacknowledged, a bite or scratch can appear to have come out of nowhere. Become aware of the early signs of stress and anxiety in your pet so you can adjust your own behavior before they start acting out.
Another mistake pet owners do is pushing their pet to face its fears. A high-risk tactic that can increase your pet's panic and fear is repeatedly exposing an animal to a situation. It is unlikely that your pet will ever entirely overcome the sense of fear or anxiety that is connected with whatever it is that frightens it (loud noises, bright lights, young children), even if it learns to tolerate whatever it is that frightens him.
Force or punishment-based training methods can also increase aggression and anxiety while weakening the trusting relationship between a human and their pet. On the other hand, reward-based techniques are more effective at teaching a pet to control his stress in unpleasant situations. In some situations, controlling the pet's environment to eliminate stressors is the best solution (when possible).
Furthermore, forcing a pet to comply with care is another issue. Forcing a pet to go through something that upsets or frightens it, like nail trimming, grooming, or other operations, can be harmful to the animal both emotionally and physically. When handled, an agitated dog or cat may resist or even bite to escape.
Always ensure that your pet's behaviour isn't related to a health concern. You can consult a veterinarian or a dog trainer who can provide your pet the care they need.
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