Dr Joanne Righetti, who operates under the abbreviated (and media friendly) Dr Jo, is an animal behaviourist who has been operating for some 12 years, with her Sydney-based Pet Problems Solved consultancy providing services around Australia. Dr Jo consults to pet owners and animal professionals such as vets, council rangers and shelter workers; has authored a number of behavioural books and appears regularly in the media. With a wealth of experience behind her, Dr Jo really has seen it all as far as pets behaving badly are concerned and she kindly agreed to share her top ten problem pets with petpages.

Top Ten Problem Pets

The Incessantly Barking Dog

Incessant barking is the bane of anyone who has tried to sleep with one of these going on and on. Barking is perfectly normal behaviour, but excessive barking is an indicator of an underlying behavioural problem in a dog. There are numerous reasons why dogs bark, with excitement, boredom, stress and pain near the top of the list - understanding why can lead to a possible solution.

Wee Everywhere

Illness and stress are both possible causes for a pet that seems to want to lift its leg everywhere in the home - which ends up being rather smelly and inconvenient if it is not addressed. It can also end up costing you a fortune in cleaning, not to mention all the time it takes.

Hyper Pet

Any pet could fall into this category, exhibiting an over exuberance for life that manifests itself in extreme hyperactivity – constantly on the go - running, chewing or digging, to name a small selection of possible activities. Such pets typically need some attention and adequate exercise to curb these high spirits.

Demanding Dog

This dog is guilty of behaving in an aggressive manner to other dogs, so any outing becomes a nightmare for owners as they are continually trying to control their pet. Here training and discipline might just do the trick, and help curb some of that pent up antagonism.

Unsociability

Some pets want to be the only pooch or puss in the house, and view all intruders in a rather negative light. This can manifest itself as aggressive behaviour or in unsociable avoidance tactics. Introducing the pet to other animals at the appropriate time and offering positive encouragement for good behaviour just may do the trick in this scenario.

Beware – I Have Claws!

Claws are the preserve of the feline world, so if you have a cat that is especially active with these weapons of destruction you will know how vicious and damaging they can be; with furniture and human flesh all in the firing line! Your tabby may need some attention, appropriate toys or games to provide some much needed stimulation.

Lord Of All I Survey

Some dogs quickly slip into an overly assertive position in the home, monopolising prime spots in the living room and getting your attention with a well timed growl. This situation needs to be treated with care, though some inspired leadership from the owner may be all this dog needs to know its place.

So Anxious…

Pets can be impacted by a range of external stimuli, particularly loud noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms. Some animals may become slowly acclimatised to this, while for many owners professional advice may be the only option.

So Lonely…

Many pets find being alone extremely stressful, which is typically marked by attention grabbing behaviour such as barking or the destruction of an item in the home. These cries for attention can normally be dealt with by making these solitary spells more fun – with plenty of entertainment and food.

The Human Equation

Sometimes pets are not the problem at all – it’s the humans! Owners who let their pets get away with murder are not helping anyone, which either ends up with the pet ruling the roost, or with the animal being offloaded to a shelter. Consult a pet behaviourist if you are having trouble with any aspect of your pet’s behaviour – a trained professional is best placed to advise you on the appropriate course of action. Dr Jo’s Pet Problems Solved website is also a great resource for anyone with a ‘problem’ pet.