Many of our dogs don’t get enough walking to burn off all of their doggy energy. When this happens, their vitality can come out in ways we consider destructive, such as incessant barking, chewing, becoming an escape artist or digging in the backyard.

Are you the unhappy owner of an out-of-control, aggressive dog? Are you worried he sees himself as the dominant member of the family? Do you get nervous around your dog when strangers show up?

I’m often surprised at the number of owners that have barking and destructive dogs. How do they manage to put up with all that the noise for so long? In many instances, nothing is done about the problem until a neighbour complains.

It may come as a surprise — but you may actually be encouraging your puppy to nip. Learn how to stop this behavior before it grows up to be an adult-sized dog problem.

Some dogs are content to live a lifetime within the confines of their yard with very little restraint. Others get the wandering bug, and dig, climb or jump fences, and break out to explore their world.

While dogs may be our best friends, some dogs can become aggressive and bite. A dog bite falls under the law in the personal injury category. Each state has various laws regarding the liability of the dog’s owner. Following are things you should do if you are bitten by a dog.

When you leave the house, it’s nice to know that your dog goes to his favorite spot and sleeps peacefully until you return. However, dogs suffering from separation anxiety are not so lucky. Separation anxiety can appear in dogs that have not been properly socialized, dogs that have been moved from one home to another, and dogs that are naturally nervous.

While we know digging is instinctive in our pets, we often wish they wouldn’t. Compulsive diggers and dogs that dig excessively are frustrating. Owners don’t want to punish their pets for doing what comes naturally, but they also don’t want their yards to be covered by craters. Luckily, there are ways to reduce and even stop dogs from digging.