Spraying behaviour in female cats can often be attributed to underlying stress or anxiety, or inadequate environmental resources. Similarly, occasional unexplained biting from a kitten may also result from anxiety and frustration. It is essential to ensure that cats have access to resources without competition particularly litter trays and to recognize signs of stress that may require treatment with dietary supplements or medication.

It is important to recognise that resource guarding is a perfectly normal behaviour in dogs. They tend to protect resources they deem valuable, which may include food, toys, spaces, or even their guardians. If this behaviour escalates to aggression, it is essential to ensure the dog does not feel threatened and then address the underlying emotions associated with resource protection. Reactivity is a complex issue and requires a multifaceted approach to address underlying anxiety, fear, or inherent protective instincts. To manage resource guarding behaviours effectively, it is crucial to avoid placing the dog in situations where these unwanted behaviours are likely to be exhibited. Provide high value resources in separate rooms when dogs struggle to share.

When dogs display seemingly unpredictable aggression, such as barking or lunging at humans, it's crucial to recognise potential patterns and triggers. Dogs may react due to trigger stacking or previous anxiety, discomfort, or pain. It's important to teach them alternative behaviours that help them relax and respond appropriately. Avoid shutting down their aggression without understanding the cause. Any dog with sudden aggressive behaviour should be examined by your vet to rule out underlying physical issues.

Effectively managing adverse behaviours like loud barking for attention or reacting inappropriately around other anxious dogs requires treating each dog as an individual. Recognise that these behaviours stem from both genetic and learned experiences. While we don’t need to excuse past behaviours, understanding them helps in reshaping more appropriate behaviours and improving their reactions to various situations. Teach an alternative behaviour and reward that, set them up to succeed but not letting them in a situation where they behave that way, pre empt their needs and provide a reward for offering a different behave like, Sit, down, or Watch Me.  Dogs like to succeed our goal is to put them in a situation where they can make the right choice and everyone is happy.

Dogs with a history of anxiety or insufficient socialisation as puppies may develop fears of strangers or stressful situations, like vet visits. These dogs need empathy and care to address their fear. We must acknowledge their emotions rather than dismiss them. For anxious dogs, it’s essential to avoid overstimulating environments and consider medication to help manage their anxiety. Slowly reintroducing them to the situations that were previously scary for them and paired with enjoyable things like treats.

Behavioural issues like leash pulling, refusing to wear a harness, or jumping up often stem from various unmet needs or unrecognised discomfort or anxiety. It is crucial to build a trusting relationship with your dog so they feel safe wearing a harness or being in public. Jumping up can be due to joy, excitement, fear, or aggression, and it may become self-rewarding. To address these behaviours, provide an alternative that suits both the pets emotional state and the people around them.