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Dog Behavioral Problems Article

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Behavior Problems Associated With Parasites

from: Kyle Besser

Some of the problem behaviors in dogs are a result of an infestation of dog parasites. These dog parasites include internal parasites such as heartworms, hookworms, ringworms, roundworms and tapeworms. External parasites such as fleas, ear mites, and ticks can also cause dog behavior problems. It is important that all puppies be dewormed and accinated against dog distemper and hepatitis.

Many dog owners are not aware that most dog parasite infestations, such as roundworm infestation, is a condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. Most dog behavior problems related to internal parasites involve owners who do not know about the adverse effects of digestive malfunction when puppies are infested with worms. Dog owners expect a young dog to control his loose stools, housetrain successfully, and learn all the more complicated lessons of being an ideal household pet without realizing the effects of the worm infestation on the puppy.

When the puppy does not respond well to the training, the owner sometimes gets frustrated and reacts by isolating, punishing or rejecting the puppy socially. The resulting confusion and mismanagement of the puppy then often produces a wide spectrum of dog behavioral problems and maladjustments. Many young dogs are rejected or mistreated for dog behavior issues that could have been avoided if the parasite infestation had been taken care of.

The following problem behaviors in dogs often occur in dogs with internal parasites: barking, chewing, digging, stool eating, whining and unruliness. The unruliness is usually due to being isolated as punishment. Stool eating is possibly due to a fecal fixation resulting from excessive punishment associated with stools.

Flea infestation has led to rejection by some dog owners. Most dog owners will only try to get rid of fleas on the dog. They buy a flea collar or flea spray, but usually do nothing about the fleas infesting the dog's regular sleeping and resting areas. Flea collars are only effective on adult fleas and eggs on the dog. The result of this is that the dog continues to be infested and is eventually shut away or moved to the outside. Problem behaviors in dogs associated with such social isolation then may evolve.

Ear mite infestation often leads to isolation based problem behaviors in dogs involving destructive chewing. Often, a dog's constant scratching drives his owner crazy and will eventually result in the dog being shut away. Some dog owners neglect the rather obvious ear odor commonly associated with ear mites and don't handle the dog behavioral problems until the ear mite infestation clears up. Consult your vet when you notice a foul odor coming from your dog's ear. Your vet will prescribe treatment for the scratching problem which in turn will lead to subsequent dog behavioral corrections.

It is amazing that most animals displaying signs of hypermetria had histories of heavy roundworm or tapeworm infections as puppies. In cases of hypermetria, the dogs tend to bump into objects, submerge their noses when drinking, and display an exaggerated forethrow of the front limbs when walking. Some cases of dogs suffering from hypermetria are abnormally hostile and seemed to be devoid of long term memory. These dogs have to be retaught simple lessons every day.