Why Is My Dog Eating the Buttons Off the Coats?
When dogs do such things as eat the buttons off a coat, it can leave their owners both frustrated and scratching their heads. Most dogs will display an odd behavior at some point to their owners, and the reason for that behavior can be simple or complex. Often, some time spent simply training the dog to avoid the behavior will fix the problem.
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Health Reasons
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According to dogsobediencetraining.com, many behaviorists and dog trainers believe at least 20 percent of all behavior problems are related to a dog's health. The dog could be eating buttons off of a coat because it is teething, has a tooth ache, is sick or in pain. A consultation with a veterinarian can rule out a medical reason if a dog suddenly misbehaves when it has been well behaved in the past.
Diet Problems
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When dogs eat the wrong diets, usually with too much protein, fat, sugars or carbohydrates, they can react with hyperactivity. Dogs need different types of food at different stages of their lives, and if they are getting too little or too much of a certain nutrient, they can experience bursts of energy that lead to destructive behaviors. A veterinarian can guide owners to the proper diet for a dog depending on its age, breed and size.
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Exercise
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Dogs who do not get enough exercise will usually seek an outlet for their energy that can seem destructive. Common behavior problems caused by lack of exercise include chewing, tearing up furniture and digging, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
Training
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The McDonald Canine Academy in Alabama warns that a dog can sense when there is no authority figure. As a result, the dog will assume this role within its family or "pack." Lack of leadership can also cause a dog to feel anxiety or stress. Stress can be displayed in many ways, such as chewing, barking or self-mutilation.
Correcting the Behavior
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Scolding a dog for an unwanted behavior runs the risk of causing its behavior problems to worsen or grow into anxiety or fear. Instead, owners are encouraged to use positive reinforcement methods to teach a dog commands or tricks such as "sit" or "stay." Such basic training can give the dog an outlet for his behavior and establish the owner as someone to be obeyed.
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- Photo Credit dog image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
