Why isn’t my dog behaving normally?

A dog is supposed to be a pet offering companionship and a good time. It helps you to relax after a tiring day. However, it will cause panic when it begins to behave differently. You do not know why or what to do. You begin to worry about the safety of the dog or that of people around the room.

Dogs change their behavior or come with unique mannerisms for different reasons. If you have been expecting a particular behavior yet it is not happening; you need to find an answer. Here are reasons why your dog could be behaving differently.

Illness

A change in behavior or failure to adapt to normal behavior could result from sickness. The dog fails to bark or may bark unnecessarily. The dog may also be itchy or sleep for long hours. Limping, failure to eat, or lack of a behavior synonymous with dogs could indicate sickness. Visit a veterinary officer and have your dog assessed.

Some of the sicknesses could be congenital, meaning that the dog cannot develop normally. If the abnormal behavior is acquired, you need to establish when it began and take corrective measures. A veterinarian will help you figure out the problem.

Change of environment

Have you moved to a new address or geographical area in the recent past? Dogs, like all other animals, are affected by the change in the environment. Assess to see whether the change in environment has affected your dog.

The environment also changes the orientation of your house is altered. For instance, new colors, fittings in the house, or other people who interact with the dog will affect its behavior. You need to maintain a constant environment or at least make it familiar so that the dog can feel normal.

Different handling

A change of attitude towards the dog will result in different behavior. The attitude may result from lack of attention or providing different food and care. The dog may eventually adapt, but it will show abnormality before it settles into your new handling.

A different master or caretaker will also cause your dog to feel abnormal. Each person handles the dog differently. Because it is alive, it will react differently when the handler changes.

Pests

Is your dog infested by pests like fleas and mites? It demonstrates this by itching, whining, and being restless. It may also begin to bark abnormally or fail to eat.

Such pests can be seen even without the help of a veterinarian. Once you identify the pests, you are advised to obtain the approved pesticide from an authorized veterinarian. Upon treatment, your dog will begin behaving normally.

Food change

Have you changed your feeding habit or the food you give to your dog? Such changes will result in a behavior change. Just the change in taste is enough to alter the behavior of your dog.

A difference in reaction could also be coming from the effect these new foods have on the dog. Like other animals, the dog could be allergic or does not prefer the new brand. Assess the effects of the change to determine the necessary adjustments that will restore normal behavior.

Age

Are you expecting too much from your dog, yet its age cannot allow it? It is time to review your expectations. Dogs are animals that will wear out with age. Advanced years come with inactivity, vulnerability to diseases, and the loss of interest in some of the things that the dog was known for. Check the age of your dog to see whether its behavior is normal. It will also help you to adjust your expectations from the dog.

A different breed

Are you dealing with a different breed of dog and expecting it to behave like the others? Each breed of dog is unique. Some are active, while others love lying around the house. Some dogs engage their owners, while others want to be around people.

What you consider to be normal behavior could be abnormal for the breed you have chosen. If you have changed the breed from what you previously had, you should expect different behavior. It is why pet owners are required to ascertain the details of the pets they are adopting before taking them home. Once you are certain, you will not be surprised that the dog behaved in a particular way.

Strangers

Dogs are social beings and highly territorial. They love being in familiar territory. The presence of strangers will throw dogs off balance. If strangers have come to your house, you should expect a behavior change.

Determining normal behavior

Your dog’s normal behavior will depend on the environment, age, and breed, among other factors. You can only complain if it has changed despite maintaining a constant environment. Consult a professional veterinarian to find a solution or to understand the cause of abnormal behavior.

Timothy Miller is an accomplished homework helper for this company. He is passionate about taking it easy in college, including owning pets and finding ways to relax the mind. Timothy shares his experiences and ideas obtained from the best professionals in the industry.

 

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