Dog Behavior Problems: Chewing, Barking, Night Peeing

Dr. Paola Cuevas addresses common dog behavior issues in this “Ask Dr. Paola” column. The first question concerns a beagle named Donny who suddenly started chewing walls. Dr. Cuevas suggests this could stem from boredom, frustration, or separation anxiety, especially given his age and increased energy levels. She recommends enriching his environment with puzzle feeders, scent games, and more engaging walks to stimulate him mentally and physically. Ruling out medical causes like dental or gastrointestinal issues is also advised. The second question involves Luna, a dog who barks excessively at dinnertime. Dr. Paola explains that this behavior is likely a learned response, associating barking with receiving food. The solution involves withholding food until Luna is calm, gradually increasing the wait time, and rewarding quiet behavior with the meal. The final query focuses on Jersey, a Goldie who recently started waking at night and scratching at the door. Dr. Paola emphasizes the importance of a veterinary check-up to rule out medical problems like urinary tract infections, digestive issues, or joint discomfort. If medical causes are excluded, the behavior might be due to learned associations (scratching = attention) and could be addressed through consistent bedtime routines and calming activities. In all cases, Dr. Cuevas suggests contacting PangoVet for additional support and personalized behavior modification plans.

Many behavioral issues stem from boredom or irregular feeding schedules, which is why the best pet food dispensers of 2026 can help establish consistent routines.

 

Sometimes irregular feeding schedules can contribute to stress-related issues, making automatic pet feeder behavior patterns worth considering when addressing these common problems.

 

While dogs exhibit these challenging behaviors, cat owners often find that investing in the best automatic cat feeders behavior management creates a calmer multi-pet household environment.

 

Some pet parents find that the best automatic pet feeders chewing issues can be reduced when dogs have consistent meal schedules.

 

(Source: https://www.dogster.com/ask-dr-paola/september-15-2025)