There’s no getting away from the fact that having a canine companion in your life will bring you so much joy and happiness. Yes, there will be times where your new dog might annoy you or do things they shouldn’t, but overall they will be a welcome part of your family.

What to Do if Your New Dog Is Driving You Crazy

However, you’re likely reading this because your new dog is testing your patience. You want things to work out for both of you, but you’re worried that the situation might become untenable. Don’t worry, because lots of new dog owners have had the same problem.

The following information will give you some tips and inspiration to help you find out the source of the problems you’re experiencing and help you to resolve them. Here is what you need to know:

Boredom

If you’re new to dog ownership, or you haven’t had a pet dog in a while, one fact that you need to keep in mind is that dogs need plenty of mental stimulation each day. When dogs don’t get that, boredom sets in and causes problems for both the canine and the owner.

When left to their own devices, dogs will find ways to entertain themselves and stimulate their minds. Usually, that involves chewing or ripping up furniture, clothing, and other items at home.

Such behavior is something you don’t want to happen, but it does if dogs aren’t given enough attention and mental stimulation. If you feel your dog is experiencing boredom symptoms, the easiest way to resolve them is by giving them more attention.

For example, you should take your dog out for regular walks, even if it’s first thing in the morning before you go to work and once in the evening when you have returned home. You should also make time for your dog in other ways as well.

One idea is to have a selection of toys that your dog enjoys and letting them have one or two of them at a time. You can engage with your dog while they play with their toys, such as playing tug-of-war or fetch.

Separation Anxiety

Another canine-related issue that affects both dogs and their owners is separation anxiety. The problem with separation anxiety is that it can happen for various reasons. For instance, rescue dogs that might have got mistreated as puppies could experience it.

Separation anxiety is an issue that many dog owners may not even realize exists for them until they start recording their dog’s behavior when they get left alone at home. Some of the telltale signs of separation anxiety include:

• Pacing, whining, and trembling;
• Barking consistently for hours;
• Chewing furniture or clothing in the house;
• Urinating or defecating inside the home.

The sad truth is many dog owners give their pets up for adoption because their dog’s separation anxiety is too much to bear. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take as a dog owner to remedy the problem if that’s something you’re experiencing.

For instance, you could consider dog training classes to educate both your dog and yourself around the causes of separation anxiety and how to avoid them.

Territory

Some dogs can cause problems for their owners, and the source of the issues are usually to do with where they live. For example, if you’ve already got a dog and you decide to introduce another one to your “pack,” the first dog may feel aggrieved with the changes.

If you’ve recently introduced another pet dog to your home, you’re likely experiencing issues such as anxiety or aggression from your first dog. You may also notice that your two dogs fight each other, especially when it’s dinner or nap time.

The way to resolve territorial disputes is through dog training from professionals. It’s a problem you need to have resolved sooner rather than later, as the dogs may end up injuring each other or other people.

Exercise

Last but not least, from the first section about boredom, you already know that dogs need plenty of regular mental stimulation each day. Taking them for two or more walks each day is an excellent way to keep dogs stimulated, and it’s also a good way to exercise them.

It goes without saying that you should also provide areas in your home where your dog can get plenty of regular exercise. The best place for that to happen is your backyard, but how dog-friendly is your outdoor space?

Make sure that your backyard has a fence enclosing it and that your yard offers plenty of room for your dog to run around. You should also spend some time playing games like fetch with your dog in your backyard.