Female dogs, just like their human counterparts, can misbehave for a variety of reasons. Understanding the root causes of behavioral issues in female dogs is key to correcting them.
Behavioral Changes During Heat Cycles
One of the most common reasons female dogs may act out is due to hormonal changes associated with the estrous or heat cycle. The heat cycle occurs about twice a year in most female dogs and is broken into four stages:
- Proestrus – The beginning stage when estrogen levels rise and eggs in the ovaries start maturing. Lasts about 9 days on average.
- Estrus – The female is receptive to mating with males during this stage as estrogen peaks. Will typically last around 9 days.
- Diestrus – Progesterone levels increase to maintain pregnancy if breeding occurred. This stage is 60-90 days on average.
- Anestrus – Sex hormones decrease and the female has a break of around 3-4 months before beginning the cycle again.
During proestrus and estrus, rising estrogen can cause significant behavior changes:
- Increased nervousness or anxiety
- Excessive licking of genital region
- Pacing and restlessness
- Changes in urination habits
- Muscle tremors
- Aggression towards other dogs
These signs tend to resolve as estrogen levels decrease again during diestrus. However, behavioral issues may persist in some dogs, indicating other underlying problems besides hormones.
Lack of Training and Socialization
Insufficient socialization and obedience training during puppyhood can contribute to a number of problem behaviors in adult female dogs:
- Fearfulness of strangers, children, loud noises.
- Anxiety when left alone or separation anxiety.
- Pulling excessively on leash.
- Jumping up on people.
- Difficulty listening to commands.
Young puppies go through developmental stages where they are primed to learn good habits through positive reinforcement training. Without this foundation in place, dogs often default to instinctual behaviors that owners find problematic. Catching issues early and enrolling in training courses can help curb bad habits before they become ingrained.
Lack of Exercise
Pent up energy from insufficient activity is a huge contributor to unruly behaviors like:
- Destructive chewing.
- Excessive barking.
- Hyperactivity and restlessness.
- Jumping up.
- Mouthing and rough play.
Most dogs require 30-60 minutes of exercise daily. High energy breeds like Labradors may need upwards of 2 hours. Providing adequate outdoor time for walking, play, and training helps female dogs focus and settle down indoors.
Stress and Anxiety
Changes to routine, chaotic households, lack of leadership, or traumatic experiences can create stress and anxiety for female dogs. This may lead to:
- Excessive barking, whining, howling.
- Pacing and restlessness.
- Destructiveness when left alone.
- Aggression towards humans or other animals.
- House soiling.
- Compulsive behaviors like tail chasing or licking themselves.
Causes of stress should be addressed. Training them to comfortably spend time alone, keeping households calm, and providing stability can relieve anxiety.
Medical Issues
Sometimes behavioral problems have an underlying medical cause, such as:
- Urinary tract infections – Increased urination, accidents in the home, excessive licking of genitals.
- Skin problems – Can cause intense itching, leading to licking and chewing at themselves.
- Dental disease – Pain from teeth or gums may cause snapping and aggression when touched around the mouth.
- Decreased vision or hearing – May lead to lunging or biting when approached suddenly as startle responses increase.
- Brain disorders – Diseases impacting the brain function can change dogs personalities and behavior.
Sudden behavior changes in adult dogs should be evaluated by a veterinarian to diagnose potential illnesses contributing to the issue.
How to Stop Female Dog Misbehavior
Addressing the root cause is the best way to curb inappropriate behaviors in female dogs. Here are some training techniques owners can employ to help:
Positive Reinforcement
Rewarding good behavior and ignoring unwanted actions is highly effective. Have treats on hand to reward calm, quiet, gentle behaviors. Pay attention to and praise behavior you want repeated.
Consistent Commands
Use the same phrases for common commands like “sit”, “stay”, and “off”. Dogs learn by repetition and consistency breeds compliance.
Redirecting
If a dog is behaving poorly, get their attention and redirect to a preferred toy or game. This refocuses them into positive activities instead of scolding.
Environment Management
Set dogs up for success by managing the environment. Keep counters cleared, use baby gates to restrict access, crate train when away, and provide interactive puzzle toys.
Train Impulse Control
Work on training exercises to build patience and impulse control like long sits and stays, waiting for permission to eat meals, or walking calmly on a loose leash.
When to Get Professional Help
For behavior issues that persist despite efforts to correct them, seeking help from professionals is advisable. They can provide an objective assessment of the situation, identify potential causes, and suggest targeted training plans. Consulting with trainers, veterinary behaviorists, or certified dog behavior consultants can get problems under control.
Conclusion
There are many factors that motivate female dogs to misbehave. Identifying whether the issue is due to health problems, lack of training, pent up energy, stress, or hormonal cycles will point to appropriate solutions. Employing positive training techniques, providing adequate exercise, and addressing underlying medical conditions can help owners curb unwanted habits. For moderate to severe behavioral problems, seeking professional assistance from trainers or behavior experts is recommended to get female dogs back on track to being well-behaved companions.