Do you have the perfect dog? I think most of think our dogs are pretty close to perfect. My Bailey, the deaf Boston Terrier is such a good boy. And Sophie, we’ll she’s the perfect French Bulldog, which in reality means she’s more like a toddler who always wants something. But that is what makes them perfect.
However, a new study from Texas A&M says that in reality, 99% of dogs have issues. They collected data from more than 43,000 dogs of various breeds, ages, sizes, and locations. The dogs were analyzed based on stuff like aggression . . . separation and attachment issues . . . fear and anxiety . . . and pooping or peeing inside.
In the end, there’s only about a 1% chance you have a “perfect” dog. “99.12% of dogs showed at least one behavior rated moderately serious, or serious . . . or at least two problems of moderate to serious intensity.”
Separation and attachment behaviors were the most common. Those things include: Restlessness, pacing, following people around the house, sitting close to them, escape attempts, or barking and chewing items when left alone. Does following you to the bathroom count? Personally, Sophie is kind of a Velcro dog but I don’t look at it as an issue. When I’m home, she wants to be with me. It’s not obsessive, just a trait of most Frenchies. And I’m happy to have her close.
Aggression is next. That includes growling, snapping, and biting. If you have a dog that is showing aggression, please see a trainer. Most dogs that are aggressive are actually showing fear, so a trainer can help you get to the root of that behavior.
Minor behavior problems may seem relatively harmless, but experts say it’s important to work with your vet to appreciate what might be going on in the dog’s mind, and recognize when special care is required.
We all want our dogs to be happy and balanced, so maybe take a moment and look at that strange behavior through a different lens… and if you can help them, please do. A good behaviorist is worth every penny.
And as far as the 1% goes, I’ll just stick with top 1% of being cute then. Because we all know, our dog is one of the cutest ever.
