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Pet Behavior Solutions: Barking, Chewing, Jumping, Digging

german Shepard dog sitting in the grass

Bubba is my friend and companion! Just a wonderful dog!!

Image Credit:
Kellie Mintern
Written By: Heidi Stonehill Executive Editor

Pets, like humans, can develop some behavioral problems that annoy you. Here are tips to help you understand why your pet behaves this way and how to help your pet so that you all can coexist happily!

Barking

A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.


When dogs bark it is most commonly because they are trying to get your attention or because they see something that frightens or intimidates them. Here are some tips for how to deal with your barking dog.

  • Take an empty soda can and toss a few pennies or pebbles into it so that when it shakes it makes an unpleasant, clanking noise that your dog won’t like. The next time your dog barks firmly say “Quiet” and shake the can. The sound will startle the dog causing it to stop, while also teaching it the “Quiet” command.
  • If your dog tends to yap more when he’s alone in the house he might be dealing with a mild case of separation anxiety. Before you leave, rub your hands all over one of his favorite chew toys. The scent will make the toy more appealing and can hush the barking. A hollow bone stuffed with cheese or peanut butter will also keep him occupied.

Did you know? Cats are able to produce about 100 different vocalized sounds. Dogs? Only about 10.

Digging

  • Dig a hole where your dog likes to dig. Blow up some small balloons, put them in the hole, and cover them with dirt. When the dog comes to dig in the loose dirt, he will pop a balloon with his nails and scare himself away from the area.
  • If you have a small dog digging in your garden, place several mothballs in a one-pound coffee can. Put the lid on and secure it with duct or electrical tape. Next, with a knife or awl punch lots of little holes in the lid. Place the cans where you don’t want your pet to dig. The mothball smell will repel your pets, but they are toxic, so make sure your pet can’t get into the can and eat them.)
  • Cats like the consistency of soil in gardens, but if you place pinecones or wood chips over the soil in your garden they won’t like the texture anymore and will find somewhere new.
  • If your cat is spending a lot of time digging around in the litter box, it’s probably a signal that it’s not being cleaned enough. Scoop out the box once a day and the change the litter frequently, especially if there is more than one cat using it.

Jumping

Nothing in the world is friendlier than a wet dog.

  • Watch your dog’s body language, and as soon as he’s about to jump sternly say “No,” or “off.” If you walk away and ignore him it will teach him that jumping will result in being ignored, which is the opposite reaction they want.
  • Next time your dog greets you at the door with a jump, hold his two front paws so that he’s in the standing position. Keep him in that position until you can tell he doesn’t like it and as you let him down say “No.” Your dog will get the hint that jumping up is going to cause discomfort.

Chewing

  • Keep dogs from chewing woodwork by sprinkling it with oil of cloves.
  • If your puppy is teething, place one of her chew toys in the freezer for a few hours, which will feel soothing to a sore mouth.
  • Sometimes excessive chewing is a sign of boredom. Different breeds have different activity levels, so talk to your vet to see how much exercise your pet needs. If this is the case, take your dog on more walks, or set up play dates with other dogs in the neighborhood. 

Do you have any tips, behavioral challenges, or comments? Please post below!

Pets & Farm Animals

About The Author

Heidi Stonehill

Heidi Stonehill

Executive Editor

Heidi Stonehill is the Executive Editor for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, joining the team in 2001. As such, she manages the content development of the Almanac’s line of wall, engagement, box, and special...

Read more from Heidi Stonehill

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Comments

<span>Jhale</span> Sun, 04/14/2013 - 09:21
How do you get rid of stray cats? they climb all over my windows at night and spray all over
<span>Madmike740</span> Sun, 07/19/2015 - 10:32
a .22 rifle will take care of those cats
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 04/16/2013 - 15:20
Cats dislike the smell of citrus. Try leaving orange, lime, and/or lemon peels around your property to repel them. You could also purchase lemon scented plants or squirt citrus juice around your windows.
<span>Horseygal</span> Sat, 03/16/2013 - 00:00
Anyone know how to stop dogs from pulling down laundry off the line? We have cow dogs and they wer fine until a man working on our fence asked if they pulled the laundry off the line. When I told him they had never sone that,he was surprised and said "All dogs pull laundry off the line!" I told him that our dogs didn't. But after he stopped working for us, they suddenly started pulling laundry off the line and nothing we do gets them to stop. It's to the point we're considering finding them a new home.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 03/19/2013 - 15:30
This is apparently a common problem with dogs. Once they've tried this and find that it is fun, they'll be back for more. You could try training your dogs to stay away (ask a trainer in your area; an animal shelter might be able to help with a contact). Or, provide them with toys/interaction so that they can focus on other games instead. Some suggest hanging up a doggy sheet or other fabric item that s/he likes, so that s/he will learn to focus just on that item to pull off; we're not sure if this would work in all cases, though--it might encourage the dogs to play even more with anything on the line. Some people suggest keeping the dogs indoors or in another part of the yard, such as in a penned area, while the laundry is drying. Or, you could fence off the laundry area, or try to prop the clothesline up high enough to be out of reach of your pets. There are also dog repellents available--either smells that deter them from going to a certain area of the yard, or motion-sensitive devices that can issue a loud noise and/or sprays of water. These are available in online pet supply stores. It depends on what you are comfortable with, and what you decide is least upsetting to your pets but would still get the message across. Hope this helps!
<span>Randyinbutler</span> Sat, 02/26/2011 - 08:02
how do ya get rid of fleas have tried everything nothing kills them in my yard and how to keep them off my pet. PLEASE Help. Thanks,Randy........
<span>Miwin1000</span> Tue, 05/10/2011 - 01:39
dust your yard with Diatomaceous Earth. I've only had to do it once every couple years. Never have any fleas, nor flys, nor other sucking bugs.
<span>Ginam1020</span> Tue, 12/06/2011 - 20:24
where do u buy Diatomaceous Earth?
<span>Bz</span> Fri, 02/26/2016 - 09:18
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) can be purchased online (try Amazon.com) and is also available from many farm suppliers and some hardware stores too. DE is inexpensive and very effective for many uses, but you must be certain to select a Food Grade DE. DE can be dusted into animals coats & bedding to effectively eliminate fleas, tick & other bugs & is non-toxic to humans & most animals. People & animals can also ingest DE for a plethora of additional health benefits including: shinier coats & hair; stronger bones & nails; & relief from some skin & coat conditions, among just a few. DE is a more reliably effective & less costly option for pest control than many other toxic chemical-based products available for flea & tick control.
<span>Susan Baker</span> Fri, 02/07/2014 - 17:14
I bought it at Amazon.com and it was very reasonable.