Last Updated: 24/12/2025
Dog Behaviour Problems: A Vet's Guide to Anxiety, Boredom, and Aggression
Does your dog struggle with barking, digging, or anxiety? Discover the root causes of common canine behaviour issues and explore practical, vet-led solutions to help your furry family member feel calm, secure, and happy in your Australian home.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read
Our dogs are cherished members of the family, so when they start showing signs of distress through barking, destructiveness, or aggression, it can feel incredibly overwhelming. Behavioural concerns actually account for one in twenty vet visits across Australia1, proving that you are certainly not alone in this journey.
Because dogs "speak" to us through their actions, identifying the root cause of a problem - whether it is fear, boredom, or anxiety - requires a bit of expert detective work. By understanding the "why" behind the behaviour, we can implement the right positive-reinforcement techniques and support to restore harmony to your household.
In this article
- Understanding dog behaviour and when to see a vet
- Identifying separation anxiety in dogs
- Dealing with dog aggression: Fear, territorial, and resource guarding
- Boredom busters: How to stop destructive barking and digging
- Why do dogs escape? Tips for keeping your dog safe at home
- Training and support: Finding a positive-reinforcement dog trainer
- FAQs
Understanding dog behaviour and when to see a vet
Learning to "read" your dog is like learning a second language; they communicate their internal state through subtle ear flicks, tail positions, and body posture rather than words. While many quirks - like a cheeky play bow or an excited "zoomie" - are signs of a happy pup, sudden or intense changes in behaviour often signal that your dog is trying to tell you something is wrong.
In the veterinary world, we often say that "behaviour is a clinical sign." Conditions like arthritis, dental infections, or urinary tract issues can manifest as irritability, house soiling, or sudden aggression. If your dog’s behaviour changes abruptly, occurs without a clear trigger, or doesn't improve with consistent training, a vet check-up is the essential first step.
Ruling out physical pain or illness ensures that we aren't trying to "train away" a medical problem that requires treatment.
Learn more in How to Read Your Dog's Body Language.
Identifying signs of separation anxiety in dogs
One out of six dogs may suffer from separation anxiety. This type of anxiety occurs when your dog is separated from you for a period of time, and is largely influenced by how we interact with them. With more of us spending much more time at home with our dogs, the constant attention and interaction they receive can lead to the development of separation anxiety on the occasions when they are left alone.
Common signs of separation anxiety can include:
For more information on separation anxiety in dogs, take a look at:
Dealing with dog aggression: Fear, territorial, and resource guarding
Aggressive behaviour in dogs can have a large number of underlying causes. Often, behaviours originating from fear, frustration and pain can lead to aggression towards other dogs or humans if the dog determines that it is the only way out of the situation. This is why working towards understanding the underlying cause of the behaviour is so important.
Because aggressive behaviour can have very serious consequences, it is best to work with your vet or positive-reinforcement dog trainer to determine the cause and most appropriate management of your dog's aggression. Some causes of aggression in dogs are discussed below.
Fear or Nervous Aggression in Dogs
Fear or nervous aggression stems from defensiveness, so this type of behaviour is generally worse when a dog's means of escape is threatened. This is often seen when a dog is restrained on the lead, or at the vet clinic! Fear aggression can also stem from a lack of socialisation with different types of environments, pets, humans and noises at a young age.
For more information, read through our articles on:
Pain-related Aggression
When a dog is in pain - whether from chronic arthritis, dental disease, or even a hidden ear infection - they may become suddenly aggressive. They may growl, snap, or lunge, not because they are angry, but because they are terrified that being touched or bumped will hurt.
This is known as pain-elicited aggression. A sudden outburst of "grumpiness" might be the only clear signal you get that something is wrong internally. If your usually placid mate suddenly snaps when you brush their hindquarters or reacts poorly to a pat on the head, it is vital to see your vet to rule out medical issues before assuming it is a purely behavioural problem.
Resource Guarding in Dogs
Resource guarding occurs when a dog thinks that the resources it values highly are threatened. This behaviour is instinctual as those dogs who protect their resources in the wild are more likely to survive. Resource guarding is most commonly associated with food and bones, however it can also include toys, attention and sleeping areas. Treatment is aimed at reducing stress for the dog by removing the threat, making the resource less valuable to the dog and training them to associate the removal of their resource with a highly desirable alternative.
For more information, read through Resource Guarding in Dogs.
Territorial Aggression in Dogs
Territorial aggression occurs when the dog perceives the territory or area as its own and will act to defend it. Commonly associated behaviours include:
- Growling
- Barking
- Lunging
- Chasing
- Snapping
- Biting
Treatment is aimed at changing the dogs rank in relation to the area.
Social Aggression in Dogs
Social aggression occurs when the dog perceives its rank to be higher than that of other humans or dogs. In evolutionary terms, this was important as in times of food shortage, the dog that put up a fight and won was the one whose genes were passed on. Like with territorial aggression, treatment is aimed towards changing the dogs perceived rank, this time in comparison to other humans or animals.
Dogs that show aggression should be handled and trained with the utmost care and caution. We do recommend seeking out a veterinarian and also a dog trainer who uses positive-reinforcement training methods to help you manage your dog's behaviour.
Boredom busters: How to stop destructive barking and digging
With our modern, busy lifestyles often leaving less time to interact with our dogs, its no wonder that our best mates get bored!
Boredom is often the underlying reason for a number of unwanted behaviours, including:
- Barking
- Destructive behaviour like digging and chewing
- Constantly following you around when you are at home
- Stereotypies (repetitive behaviours that have no purpose), like tail-chasing
- Coprophagia (eating poo!)
For more information on how to manage these behaviours, read through:
Top recommendations for boredom-busting toys
Why do dogs escape? Tips for keeping your dog safe at home
Just like other behaviours, dogs escape for a number of reasons. Fear, such as storm and firework phobia, frustration, boredom, loneliness, anxiety and seeking a mate can all cause a dog to try to escape.
Understanding the reason behind your dogs desire to escape their home is crucial to keeping them safe and secure. Some ways you can reduce your dog's desire to escape include:
- Ensure your fences are secure: It might seem obvious, but ensuring that your fences are suited to keeping your dog in is very important. For smaller breeds, ensure that any small gaps and holes are patched securely with large rocks or wire mesh. For larger breeds, fences at least six feet high are recommended.
- Provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation: Try to ensure that you tire your dog out with plenty of exercise before any periods where they will be alone.
- Offering them long lasting treats and interactive toys before you leave can help distract them from your departure and keep them entertained while you're away.
- Add some calming sound: Turning on the radio or television, or playing some calming music can provide some background noise and alleviate loneliness.
- Desex your dog: Desexed dogs are far less likely to escape to search for a mate.
For more information on how to manage these behaviours, read through:
Training and support: Finding a positive-reinforcement dog trainer
When a behaviour problem feels like more than you can handle alone, or you're dealing with a dog showing aggression, enlisting a professional is strongly recommend. Start with your vet, to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to the behaviour. If a visit with a dog trainer is advised, it is important to choose the right kind of expert.
For the safety and well-being of your pet, look for a trainer who uses positive-reinforcement methods. These science-based techniques focus on rewarding the behaviours we want to see, rather than punishing those we don't, which builds a foundation of trust rather than fear.
When doing your research, look for credentials from reputable Australian organisations like the Delta Institute or the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Australia. A good trainer will be happy to discuss their qualifications and should never use equipment designed to cause pain or intimidation, such as prong or shock collars.
For more information, take a read through:
FAQs
Navigating behaviour hurdles can be a challenge, but with patience and the right tools, most issues can be managed effectively. Whether your dog needs more mental stimulation to beat boredom or a tailored plan for separation anxiety, the goal is always to improve their quality of life. If you are concerned about your dog's behaviour, remember that your local vet or a qualified positive-reinforcement trainer is your best resource for creating a safe and happy environment for your pet.
References
Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) 2021, accessed 31 Januray 2022, Pets and the Pandemic - A social research snapshot of pets and people in the COVID-19 era, https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AMAU005-PATP-Report21_v1.4_WEB.pdf
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 24 Dec 2025
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian loves being able to provide depth and detail to pet parents questions, and give up to date, evidence based advice. She loves the variety of pets and inquiries she receives - she especially loves the 'curly' questions that require some research! Seeing the gorgeous photos that pet parents send through of their babies is a highlight of the day! Gillian enjoys to further her veterinary knowledge, and has completed further training in ultrasonography, behaviour and backyard poultry!
