Owning a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the world, but let’s be honest— sometimes you might find yourself running into some behavioural hiccups. Whether that’s minor annoyances at home or on a walk, to more serious issues that can affect you and your dog’s day-to-day life. As someone who’s spent countless hours training dogs and running a doggy daycare, I’ve pretty much seen it all! If your dog develops behavioural problems, it’s really important to get to the bottom of what is going on and figure out how to tackle these issues head on. That way, you and your pup can get back to enjoying the fun and love that comes with having a four-legged best friend!

Getting to the Bottom of behaviour Issues

Behaviour problems in dogs can come from all sorts of places – maybe they missed out on early training, had a difficult past, are dealing with a health issue, or are just plain bored! Recognising that problem behaviours usually have an underlying cause is the first step to fixing them. Dog’s don’t do these things on purpose or to annoy you – there is always an underlying reason!

Common behaviour Problems in Adult Dogs, and some simple tips to help!

1. Toileting in the House

Accidents happen, but if your adult dog is frequently having them indoors, it could be due to poor training, anxiety, medical problems, or marking their territory. It’s essential to figure out the cause to address it properly.

TOP TIP: Take your dog outside once every hour, as well as after meals and playtime, to encourage them to toilet outside. Reward every success with lots of praise and a high-value treat. The more they succeed and associate going outside with positive experiences, the quicker they’ll learn that outside is the best place to go!

2. Excessive Barking

We all know dogs bark to communicate, but when your dog turns into a non-stop woofing machine, it can be a problem. Excessive barking can be their way of telling you they’re bored, anxious, or just craving some attention.

TOP TIP: If your dog is barking for attention, they may be asking for something! Make sure that all of their basic needs are being met, such as having water, routine meals, things do do like puzzle games and enough physical and mental stimulation. A dog that has all of its simple needs met is much less likely to seek constant attention and can settle down more easily.

3. Destructive Chewing

Chewing is natural and something that should be encouraged with dog friendly chewing items, but when it becomes destructive, it’s an issue. This behaviour might stem from anxiety, boredom, or learned habits from puppy teething days.

TOP TIP: Always have a variety of chews available for your dog. This way, if they get bored with one, they have other options to keep them entertained. Pay attention to what they like to chew on and when. Offering a selection of different chews can keep things interesting and might just save your favourite shoes from becoming their next target!

Preventing behaviour problems in dogs is much easier than fixing them once they have become established. Start off on the right foot with early training, socialisation, and ensuring your dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Tackling health issues quickly and understanding your dog’s breed-specific traits can also help you stay ahead of potential problems.

But what if you’ve tried the basics and behaviour issues continue or get worse? Don’t worry! Here’s  your step-by-step expert guide to getting things back on track:

1.    Figure Out the Cause

First things first: figure out what’s triggering the behaviour. Pay attention to when and where it happens. Keeping a diary of events can help you spot any patterns.

2.    Check in with Your Vet

Sometimes, a health issue is the culprit. Dogs are masters at hiding pain, so even if they seem fine, a sudden change in behaviour might be due to discomfort. A vet check-up can rule out or address medical problems, especially if the behaviour change is sudden and without an obvious cause.

3.    Training and Socialisation

Basic training can work wonders! Teaching new skills that enhance your dog’s impulse control and engagement with you can be very useful. Cues like sit, stay, and come are essential! Gradually exposing your dog to different environments, people, and dogs can help them become more adaptable and help diminish some behavioural issues. Reward good behaviour with treats, praise, or playtime instead of using punishment. This builds a strong bond and encourages your dog to behave well.

4.    Get Professional Help

Sometimes, you need to call in the experts. A professional trainer or animal behaviourist can offer customised strategies for your dog. They might use techniques like counter-conditioning and desensitisation to manage triggers. Having your trainer or behaviourist communicate with your vet is also a good idea, especially if your dog has underlying health issues.

5.    Stick to a Routine

Dogs thrive on routines. A regular schedule for feeding, walking, and playtime can make your dog feel secure and reduce anxiety.

6.    Keep Them Busy

Bored dogs can become naughty dogs! Make sure your pup gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. Toys, chews, puzzles, and playtime are great for keeping them entertained. Tailoring activities to your dog’s breed-specific needs can also be very effective.

7.    Create a Safe Space

Give your dog a quiet, safe spot to retreat to when they’re scared, anxious or tired. This could be a crate, a room, or a cosy corner where they feel secure.

In a nutshell…

Dealing with behaviour issues in adult dogs involves understanding the root cause, consistent training, and sometimes seeking professional help. Changing behaviour takes time, but with patience and the right strategies, you can manage most behaviour problems and enjoy a happier life with your dog. Remember, fixing behaviour issues is a team effort between you and your dog, built on trust, respect, and lots of love!

Becki Güde BA (Hons) PACT-KSA ABTC-ATI

https://www.surreycaninecorner.co.uk/

What should you expect as a new owner bringing home a rescue dog?

Join Dog Trainer, Becki Güde from Surrey Canine Corner and Carnilove Nutritionist, Laura Haughey, along with Labrador Max, as they explore the stages of settling a new rescue dog. Discover tips for a smooth transition, including:

• Building positive associations with you
• Boosting their confidence
• Strengthening the bond between you and your dog

What constitutes good quality nutrition?

Diet has a significant impact on your dog’s overall health and well-being. Understanding what makes up good nutrition can help ensure your dog leads a long, healthy, and happy life. With insights from Carnilove Nutritionist, Laura Haughey, and Dog Trainer, Becki Güde from Surrey Canine Corner, you can learn about the essential components of a balanced and nutritious diet for your dog.

Carnilove UK has teamed up with Landscape Gardener and Horticulturist, Henry Agg and his Jack Russell Dasher to design a bespoke Adventure Garden for Pets.

Created for dogs, cats and their human companions it features paw friendly paving, shady spots for resting, attractive pet safe plants, cat climbing features, a beautiful water feature and even a muddy dog wash station.

If you’re keen to adapt your garden and would like Henry’s top tips on the planting and materials to use and how you can create the features that will awaken their senses and bring a bit of the wild home watch the film and read our Adventure Garden Guide.

What’s more? You have the chance to win a consultation with Henry and some planting to get you started on your very own garden adventure! What’s the prize?

One lucky winner will win a video consultation with professional garden designer & horticulturist Henry Agg to discuss how you can adapt your own garden, a selection of suitable pet friendly plants worth up to £1,000, a consultation with a Carnilove nutritionist to find the perfect food match for your dog, 1 large bag of food for your pet alongside a selection of treats for your dog or cat.

What is Carnilove?

Carnilove pet food has been formulated with respect for the natural origins of dogs & cats. The wide spectrum of carefully selected wild-origin meats, such as reindeer, duck, pheasant, turkey, lamb, wild boar and salmon, corresponds to the composition of natural prey and ensures intake of important amino acids.

For information on Carnilove dog and cat food visit here.

Who is Henry Agg and what does he offer?

Henry Agg is a professional garden designer and qualified horticulturalist based in East Sussex. He studied horticulture with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and garden design with The English Gardening School. He is a member of the Royal Horticultural Society and actively takes part in some of the UK’s leading flower shows such as Chelsea Flower Show.

As a qualified horticulturalist and garden designer, with hands on experience working in private gardens in the South East, Henry has a wealth of knowledge and experience to support clients in their journey to transform their outdoor space. Find out more about Henry here.

Competition Terms and Conditions

1. The prize draw is open to all UK residents aged 18 years or over, except employees of the Promoter, the Promoter’s suppliers, any third party directly associated with administration of the prize draw, and their respective families or agents. The Promoter may require any participant to provide proof that they are eligible to enter the draw.
2. All you need to do to enter is:
   • Follow the Carnilove page on Instagram & Facebook
   • Instagram: Tag us in a photograph of your pet enjoying their garden or the big outdoors in the sunshine using the handle @carniloveuk.
   • Facebook: Comment under the competition post with a photograph of your pet enjoying their garden or the big outdoors in the sunshine.
   • Then an entry will be selected at random using a number generator.
3. Only one entry per person is permitted.
4. The opening date for entries is 00:01 on 3rd July. The closing date of the prize draw is 11:59 on 23rd July. Entries received after this time will not be accepted. Draw entries cannot be returned.
5. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for entries not successfully completed due to a technical fault, technical malfunction, computer hardware or software failure, satellite, network or server failure of any kind.
6. A winner will be chosen by random draw performed by a computer process on 30th July.
7. The winner will receive:
   • A video consultation with professional garden designer & horticulturist Henry Agg (@henryaggdesigns) to discuss how you can adapt your own garden
   • A selection of suitable pet friendly plants worth up to £1,000
   • A consultation with a Carnilove nutritionist
   • One bag of Carnilove dog food (11.4kg or 12kg bag) and/or one bag of Carnilove cat food (1.8kg or 2kg) and a selection of treats for your dog or cat. Maximum 2 pets per entry.
8. The winner will be notified by Direct Message (using details provided at entry) before 6th August and must provide a postal address to claim their prize. If a winner does not respond to the Promoter by the required method within 3 working^[1] days of being notified by the Promoter, then the winner’s prize will be forfeited and the Promoter will be entitled to select another winner in accordance with the process described above. The prize cannot be claimed by a third party on the winner’s behalf. The Promoter does not accept any responsibility if the winner is not able to take up the prize.
9. The prize will be organised with the winner via email within 10 days of the winner responding to the notification of their win via Direct Message.
10. The prize for the winner is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and no cash alternative is available.
11. The prize is supplied by BSB Products.
12. The Promoter reserves the right to replace the prize with an alternative prize of equal or higher value if circumstances beyond the Promoter’s control makes it necessary to do so.
13. The decision of the Promoter regarding any aspect of the prize draw is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into about it.
14. The winner’s surname and county together with (if applicable) their winning entry, can be obtained by sending an email to bsb@onefiftconsultancy.com within fourteen days after the closing date of the prize draw. Entrants who do not wish such information to be provided should they win, should object in advance of the prize draw closing date by sending an email to bsb@onefiftconsultancy.com specifying which prize draw they have entered, and what information they object to being provided.
15. Participants are deemed accepted and agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions upon entry. The Promoter reserves the right to refuse entry or refuse to award the prize to anyone in breach of these terms and conditions. The Promoter reserves all rights to disqualify a participant or winner if their conduct is contrary to the spirit or intention of the prize draw.
16. The Promoter reserves the right to hold void, cancel, suspend, or amend the promotion where it becomes necessary to do so.
17. Insofar as is permitted by law, the Promoter, its agents or distributors will not in any circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate the winner or accept any liability for any loss, damage, personal injury or death occurring as a result of taking up the prize except where it is caused by the negligence of the Promoter, its agents or distributors or that of their employees. Your statutory rights are not affected.
18. Personal data supplied during the course of this promotion will only be processed as set out in the Promoter’s Privacy Policy.
19. All entries and any accompanying material submitted to the Promoter will become the property of the Promoter on receipt and will not be returned. You agree to participate in publicity at the Promoter’s request. By submitting your entry and any accompanying material you agree to:
    • Assign to the Promoter all your intellectual property rights with full title guarantee; and
    • Waive all moral rights in and to your entry and otherwise arising in connection with your entry to which you may now or at any time in the future be entitled under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as amended from time to time and under all similar legislation from time to time in force anywhere in the world.
20. The prize draw will be governed by English law and entrants to the prize draw submit to the jurisdiction of the English courts.
21. The Promoter of this prize draw is BSB Products.

Did you know the secret to successful dog training lies in rewards? The meatier and more pungent the better!

Carnilove has teamed up with dog training and behaviour expert Becki Gude, Dog Trainer at Surrey Canine Corner, to learn how to use high value treats in training. This film explores why quality treats get results while Becki demonstrates how to capture your dog’s attention.

With 94-96% fresh meat, the soft, easily digestible treats are a high value reward for good British dogs.

Carnilove has extended its popular Treat range with a selection of Freeze-Dried RAW Treats made from up to 96% fresh meat. They offer a great combination of taste, nutrition and value that make the perfect reward for good behaviour, skills development, and exercise in the wild.

Manufacturer Vafo has used the latest freeze-drying technology to process meat gently to retain flavour, aroma and nutrients resulting in a highly digestible and palatable treat to satisfy dogs’ instinctive love of meat.

The range includes four delicious flavours, including two mono protein recipes suitable for puppies and dogs that require a single protein reward:

• • Raw Lamb – mono protein, suitable for puppies and dogs
  • Raw Turkey – mono protein, suitable for puppies and dogs
  • Raw Venison & Turkey for high energy, suitable for adult dogs
  • Raw Salmon & Turkey for coat and skin health, suitable for adult dogs

These are grain and potato free and contain no artificial preservatives, flavour or colouring. They are perfect for high energy adventures, training or even as a complementary topper.

The Treats come in 60g bags with an SRP of £4.99 for Turkey, Venison & Turkey and Salmon & Turkey and £6.99 for Lamb. Buy Now