A new study from Texas A&M University has found that more than 99% of dogs in the United States show at least one behavior that could be considered a problem.
While this may sound alarming, most of these behaviors are mild and don’t cause serious issues for dog owners.
Still, experts say it’s important to understand and address these behaviors before they become bigger problems.
The study was led by Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
It used data from the Dog Aging Project, a large research project that collects information from pet owners to learn about how dogs age and what helps them stay healthy.
Over 50,000 dogs are part of the study so far.
Dr. Beaver found that 99.12% of the dogs had at least one moderate to severe behavior issue, based on answers given by their owners.
The most common concerns included separation anxiety (seen in about 86% of dogs), aggression (in 56%), and fear or anxiety (in 50%).
However, Beaver explained that many of these issues are not serious and may not bother dog owners much. Some people may not even see them as problems.
For example, a dog that barks a lot may not seem like a big deal to one person but may be very annoying to another. What one owner tolerates, another may find unacceptable.
One key takeaway from the study is that dog behavior is a big part of pet ownership and deserves more attention during veterinary visits. Many vets don’t ask about behavior issues during regular check-ups, and owners often don’t mention them unless something serious happens.
“Owners may not think to bring up behavior problems unless they’re very obvious or recent,” said Beaver. She recommends giving owners a questionnaire before appointments to help them remember and report issues. Understanding a dog’s full behavior history often requires asking questions in several ways.
Some behavior problems can be dangerous, especially when it comes to aggression. Growling, snapping, or biting may be signs of fear, discomfort, or a reaction to something in the dog’s environment.
Beaver emphasized that aggression is a natural behavior in animals, but it’s important to understand the reasons behind it. Things like a child getting too close, someone staring into the dog’s eyes, or a bigger dog approaching might make a dog feel threatened.
To help prevent aggressive behavior, dog owners should learn to read their pet’s body language. Signs of fear, stress, or discomfort can be spotted early if owners know what to look for. This can prevent situations from escalating into something more dangerous.
Many helpful resources are available online or through veterinarians.
Families with young children need to be especially careful. Kids are often unable to understand when a dog is uncomfortable, and most dog bites happen to children under 7 years old. Beaver advises that children should only be around dogs when supervised and should be taught how to interact gently and safely.
Understanding and responding to a dog’s behavior can improve the lives of both pets and their people. As Beaver puts it, “Animals think—but they probably don’t think like we do.”
