A groundbreaking study from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine has uncovered startling findings about common behavior issues in dogs, revealing that over 99% of dogs in the U.S. exhibit at least one problematic behavior.
Published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, the study surveyed dog owners through the Dog Aging Project, which collects detailed health and behavioral data. The most frequent issues identified were aggression (55.6%), separation anxiety and attachment behaviors (85.9%), and fear-related behaviors (49.9%).
Dr. Bonnie Beaver, the study’s lead author and a professor at Texas A&M, explained that the research involved 28 behavior-related questions, with owners rating their pets on a scale from zero to four, where four indicated severe problems. Despite the high percentage of dogs displaying behavioral traits, Beaver highlighted that many issues are minor and often go unnoticed. However, overlapping problems, such as anxiety and aggression, can complicate diagnosis and treatment.
The study also revealed a significant gap in communication between pet owners and veterinarians. Many owners fail to mention behavior concerns during veterinary visits, and some veterinarians may not address these issues proactively. Beaver recommended that veterinarians provide behavior questionnaires ahead of appointments to foster more open discussions.
While most behavior problems are mild, some, particularly aggression, can pose serious safety risks. Beaver urged dog owners to familiarize themselves with canine body language, especially when interacting with children, who are the most frequent victims of dog bites.
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