A researcher with the highly-touted TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine looked at data collected from the owners of over 50,000 dogs.
HOUSTON — Whether it’s getting into the trash, destroying your favorite shoes or tearing up their toys, naughty behavior in our four-legged family members is not unusual. In fact, a recent Texas A&M study showed more than 99% of dogs in the United States show potentially problematic behaviors.
Dr. Bonnie Beaver with the highly-touted Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine led the study. She cited data from the Dog Aging Project (DAP), which collected information on more than 50,000 dogs from their owners.
For each of the 28 questions about behavior in DAP surveys, owners were asked to rate their dog’s behavior on a scale of zero to four, with four representing a potentially serious problem.
“Overall, 99.12% of dogs had at least one response of moderate to severe in an area of behavior,” Beaver said.
Most of the behavior issues were relatively minor, according to Beaver, but they shouldn’t be ignored.
“Owners may not see them as issues worth addressing, but almost any dog owner will encounter a behavior that is at least inconvenient,” Beaver explained.
Most common behavioral issues in dogs
According to the study, these were the most common issues.
- Separation and attachment behaviors: 85.9%
- Aggression: 55.6%
- Fear and anxiety behaviors: 49.9%
The study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior said behavior should be considered carefully by both dog owners and veterinarians so that mild problems don’t escalate.
“Some studies report that only 50% of veterinarians ask questions about behavior during appointments, and owners may not think to ask the veterinarian about something they don’t like,” Beaver said. “This has to change, so we don’t end up missing half of the problems.”
What parents should know
The tragic death of a 6-month-old baby who was attacked by a family dog in Baytown Tuesday is a reminder that some behavioral issues can be potentially dangerous.
According to James Calder, a spokesman for the City of Baytown, the infant was attacked by a young male pit bull mix that was new to the apartment. The family surrendered ownership and he will be euthanized, according to Calder.
Another male pit bull mix wasn’t involved in the attack, Calder said.
We don’t know the circumstances surrounding the dog that attacked the baby, including whether he had shown aggression in the past.
Beaver said if a dog is growling, snapping or biting, the owner should look at what may be triggering the behavior.
“Aggression is a normal behavior in animals and it happens for a reason,” Beaver said. “Is it being threatened by a little kid getting too close, somebody staring in its eyes, by a bigger dog coming toward it, or by a stranger approaching? As veterinarians, we’ve got to look at the context in which a behavior happens to try and appreciate what might be going on in the animal’s mind.”
She said owners should also pay attention to their dog’s body language so they can better recognize emotions like fear before they turn into aggression.
While some dogs are patient with children who like to tug on their tail or grab their toys, experts say parents should discourage such behavior. Kids should also be taught not to tease the dog around food or treats.
Signs that a dog may be jealous
According to PetMD, dogs may also become aggressive if they’re jealous of another pet or person.
- Getting between you and another pet or person
- Whining when you are giving attention to another pet or person
- Bumping against your leg, pressing their body into you, or seeking closeness
- Growling when you are giving affection to another
- Barking, performing tricks, or engaging in other attention-seeking behaviors
- Going to the bathroom indoors
Experts say pet owners should also research a breed’s history before adopting them, especially if they have children.
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