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What Is a Behavior Problem?

Behavior problems in dogs and cats are common and can range from aggression and anxiety to house‐soiling and destructive behaviors. In this comprehensive chapter we will delve into the world of behavior problems in dogs and cats, exploring their causes, motivations, and potential solutions. Veterinarians need to be able to differentiate between normal and abnormal behaviors, create a behavioral and medical differential list, and create effective strategies for diagnosing and managing these behaviors.

Differentiating Between Normal and Abnormal Behaviors

Understanding the difference between normal and abnormal behaviors in dogs and cats is essential for addressing pet behavior issues. Pet caregivers often observe a range of behaviors, and therefore it is important to understand that not all behaviors that appear undesirable are indicative of a problem. Many of these behaviors are entirely normal, often related to the breed or the unique personality of the pet (Tables 7.1 and 7.2) (Demontigny‐Bédard and Frank 2018).

To differentiate between normal but undesirable behaviors and abnormal behaviors in animals, consider these five criteria (Demontigny‐Bédard and Frank 2018):

Context: Assess whether the behavior is appropriate for the given situation.
Behavioral sequence: Check for any changes in the typical sequence of behaviors.
Frequency: Determine if the behavior occurs at a frequency appropriate for the context.
Severity or duration: Evaluate whether the severity or length of the behavior is reasonable for the situation.
Anxiety‐related behaviors: Observe whether the animal shows anxiety‐related behaviors in one or more settings.

Role of Veterinarians in Behavior Identification

While normal but undesirable behaviors can often be modified with proper training methods, this approach alone may not be sufficient for effectively and humanely managing abnormal behaviors. Abnormal behaviors, including medical and behavioral disorders, are characterized by one or more of the following (Demontigny‐Bédard and Frank 2018): behavior that is inappropriate for the context; a change in the behavioral sequence; or excessive frequency, severity, or duration that is not justified by the context.

Table 7.1 Examples of normal cat behaviors.

Normal cat behavior	Description
Jumping on counters and high places	Cats naturally seek high spots like counters for a clearer view, mimicking their instinct to watch for prey. Providing window perches and cat trees can redirect this behavior.
Stalking and pouncing	Cats love to hunt and often stalk and pounce on objects like socks or toys. This is a natural behavior learned from kittenhood.
Kneading	Cats knead soft surfaces, reminiscent of kneading around their mother’s teats as kittens. It is a comforting behavior often seen in relaxed cats.
Grooming	Cats spend a significant amount of time grooming themselves and sometimes each other, which is a normal part of their hygiene routine.
Teeth chattering	Cats may chatter or click their teeth when watching birds or wildlife, often accompanied by tail twitching. This indicates frustration or anticipation.
Bunting and head butts	Bunting involves rubbing cheeks on objects to mark territory using scent glands in their cheeks. Head butts are a playful way of marking and seeking attention.
Nighttime play	Cats, being nocturnal hunters, may be active at night. Playing before bedtime and ignoring midnight wake‐up calls can help manage this behavior.
Cat noises	Sounds like yowling, meowing, hissing, and spitting are normal cat noises, varying in frequency among different cats.
Biting and scratching	Play often involves biting and scratching behavior. This type of play aggression can be common in young cats and should be directed toward object play instead of human hands and feet.

Table 7.2 Examples of normal dog behaviors.

Normal dog behavior	Description
Barking	Barking is a common behavior in dogs, especially certain breeds. Excessive barking can indicate anxiety, fear, or frustration. Addressing the root cause helps manage and change this behavior.
Chewing	Chewing is a natural behavior, especially in puppies for exploration and teething relief. Preventing destructive chewing involves providing appropriate chew toys along with physical and mental enrichment needs.
Digging	Dogs often dig to create a comfortable resting place or to bury items. Excessive digging may be due to anxiety or lack of stimulation. Enrichment and creating a designated digging area can help.
Chasing	Chasing stems from a dog’s herding instinct, especially in certain breeds. Teaching a recall and providing safe chasing activities in the backyard can help manage this behavior.
Biting	Puppies may nip as part of play and exploration. Biting beyond puppyhood or biting that is difficult to redirect or breaks skin indicates a problem. Consistency, predictability, and early training are key to addressing biting issues.
Jumping	Jumping is a common behavior in dogs. Many dogs jump because they have been reinforced or there is a lack of consistency (e.g., sometimes the behavior is accidentally reinforced).

Veterinarians can provide guidance to help caregivers identify normal species‐specific behaviors. Understanding what normal cat and dog behaviors are helps them to recognize and distinguish what is abnormal.

Perceptions of Pet Behavior

Some behaviors, while normal, may be undesirable or challenging for caregivers. The way a caregiver perceives a behavior does not always mean that it is an abnormal behavior or that there is an underlying problem with the animal. Such behaviors could be due to inadequate or inappropriate training or not meeting a pet’s basic needs, rather than being a primary behavioral problem.

Behavior and Medical Conditions

Some behavioral problems in pets may stem from underlying medical conditions, therefore a thorough physical examination is necessary, along with a complete medical workup that includes a minimum of a complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, and endocrine testing. However, the distinction between medical and behavioral problems is often not clear‐cut. The presence of underlying medical problems does not necessarily mean that they are the sole cause of or even related to the animal’s behavior. Moreover, medical conditions are not always completely ruled out through screening tests alone, and thus they may contribute to an animal’s behavior without their definitive diagnosis (Demontigny‐Bédard and Frank 2018; Landsberg et al. 2013; Siracusa 2024; Stelow 2018).

Intervention and Behavior Problems

Intervention becomes necessary when abnormal behaviors significantly impact the pet’s quality of life or the caregiver’s ability to manage and enjoy their pet. The diagnosis of behavior problems is always specific to the individual animal and their environment (Odendaal 1997). Veterinarians can offer valuable insights into when and how to intervene, which may involve a combination of behavior modification techniques, training, and, in some cases, medication (Demontigny‐Bédard and Frank 2018). Through their support and guidance, caregivers can effectively manage and address pet behavior issues.

Common Behavior Problems in Dogs

Behavior problems in dogs can vary widely and often present challenges for their caregivers. It is essential to understand and address these issues in order to promote the wellbeing of both the dog and the human family members. Regardless of the problem behavior, recognizing the underlying emotional state and motivation for the behavior will help lead to an effective management and treatment plan. It is also important to recognize that many behavior problems cannot be cured, although improvement is possible in many cases.

Aggression

Aggression has many definitions, and this behavior can be expressed differently depending on the environment or context of the situation. To gain a better understanding of the dog’s motivation, the triggers for the behavior first need to be identified. Dogs may exhibit aggression toward familiar people, unfamiliar individuals, other dogs, or different animals. Additionally, aggression can surface in the stressful environment of a veterinary hospital. Because aggression can appear in multiple forms and poses such a risk to both human and animal health, it is the most common reason for dogs being referred to a board‐certified veterinary behaviorist (Bamberger and Houpt 2006).

Root Cause of Aggression

Veterinarians can help caregivers by identifying the root causes of aggression and developing strategies to manage and modify this behavior, ensuring the safety of all involved. First, it is important to rule out underlying medical causes that may be contributing to aggression. For example, the pain associated with arthritis can play a role in an animal’s aggressive behavior. Therefore, it is important to perform a complete physical exam and screening lab work to identify potential diseases that may affect the animal’s behavior. However, it is equally important to understand that an underlying medical disease may not entirely account for the aggressive behavior on its own.

Management in Aggression Cases

Despite the underlying cause leading to aggressive behavior, the primary goal of any treatment and management plan should be to ensure human and animal safety as much as possible. Safety can be achieved through management, improved communications, discontinuation of punishment, and the use of aversive tools, in addition to training and behavior modification.

Management Strategies and Tools

The focus of management is to alter the environment in such a way that there is decreased arousal and limited potential for dogs to practice aggressive behavior. The management strategies that are effective for one case will vary from those that are effective for another due to the individuality of each dog’s behavior. Some examples of management include:

Helping caregivers understand triggers for their pet’s aggressive behavior in order to minimize exposure to those triggers as much as possible. For example, this may mean walking at different times of the day in order to avoid other dogs that are out at a similar time or no longer having guests over to the house to prevent exposure to new people.
Creating a safe space to separate pets from visitors, other household animals, and small children is an effective strategy for managing interactions. This separation minimizes the risk of injury to both the pet and individuals but also provides the pet with a retreat to avoid situations and environments that may induce anxiety, fear, or frustration. This approach is beneficial for maintaining peace and safety within the home.
Muzzle training is recommended for all dogs that pose a bite risk. This process requires time and patience to properly condition them to wear a muzzle comfortably. Given that any dog can potentially bite, especially when experiencing protective emotions, muzzle training should be considered a foundational skill for all puppies, even if they are not displaying aggressive behaviors at the time. Muzzles are never punishment; they are a safety tool for protective contact.

Education

Clear communication regarding client expectations is critical for long‐term success in managing dogs that use aggression. Clients should understand that progress can be slow and nonlinear, so patience and consistency are imperative. Equally valuable is the recognition that aggression is a normal part of a dog’s behavioral repertoire and thus will never be fully eliminated or “cured.” Instead, aggressive behavior can be well managed to promote the long‐term safety and happiness of both the client and the dog.

Additionally, educating clients about dog body language is important. While overt signs of aggression such as growling, lunging, and snarling are often easily recognized, more subtle signs are equally, if not more, important to identify. Recognizing these signs helps prevent the escalation of the behavior by allowing the dog to be removed from the situation.

Clients can further set themselves and their dogs up for success by engaging in open, honest conversations about their dog’s behavior with individuals likely to interact with the dog such as children, close family friends, and so on. These discussions should cover the dog’s sensitivities and strategies for safe interaction, should any interactions occur.

See Table 7.3 for approaches to other behavior problems in dogs.

Behavior	Description/examples	Underlying causes/results	Approach
Anxiety	Can take the form of generalized anxiety, situational anxiety, or separation‐related disorders. Recognizing the symptoms and triggers is vital for caregivers.	Generalized anxiety may cause excessive restlessness, poor sleep, and an increase in reactivity, while separation‐related disorders often result in distress when the dog is home alone.	Behavior modification techniques and, when needed, the use of medications to reduce anxiety and enhance the dog’s quality of life.
Barking	Excessive barking can be disruptive and challenging for both caregivers and their neighbors.	Fear, anxiety, frustration, alerting, or attention seeking.	Addressing the root cause through positive reinforcement training, strategic management, environmental enrichment, and behavior modification.
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)	Similar to dementia in humans, prevalent in elderly dogs.	Medical co‐morbidities are common and need to be differentiated first.	Support to enhance quality of life.

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