Has it ever felt like your dog was throwing a temper tantrum? While dogs don’t have temper tantrums as humans do, they sometimes can exhibit behavior that looks like a temper tantrum. It’s important to know what’s going on so you can help them feel less frustrated and get back on track with their behavior. Here’s how to deal with temper tantrums in dogs:

Do Dogs Throw Temper Tantrums?

Because dogs can’t talk, they need to use their behavior to communicate what they want, need, and how they’re feeling with humans. Sometimes these behaviors can be dramatic and resemble a temper tantrum. However, they’re not actually temper tantrums.

This is why it’s really important to understand the different types of dog body language. Having a good grasp on your dog’s body language can help you figure out what they’re trying to tell you. This can cut back on a lot of frustration that can lead to what may be perceived as dog temper tantrums.

Dog behaviorists and dog trainers don’t typically refer to behavior that looks like a temper tantrum as a dog temper tantrum. In humans, temper tantrums can sometimes be more intentional, while dog behaviors are usually more of a reaction to a situation.

These situations usually come about out of fear, anxiety, or frustration. When they feel these emotions, they will exhibit behaviors to let you know they don’t like what’s going on. Signs your dog is stressed include behaviors like excessive barking, whining, snapping, or growling. They may also chew on furniture or dig holes in your yard. This is all their way of trying to tell you they’re upset or frustrated.

What Does a Dog Tantrum Look Like?

Depending on the age of your dog, a dog temper tantrum might look different. This is due to a difference in age and maturity. It’s important to understand these distinctions because it will better help you to manage and train your dog.

Tantrums in Puppies

Puppies are pretty similar to toddlers in that they don’t have a good grasp on their behavior or emotions yet. They haven’t learned self-control or how to regulate themselves emotionally. If the basic needs of a puppy aren’t met, it can lead to acting out. They also may act out if they feel overwhelmed.

Common temper tantrum behaviors in puppies often include:

• Biting
• Destructive chewing
• Whining
• Barking more than usual

The tantrums are often due to teething, anxiety, fear, or frustration.

Tantrums in Older Dogs

As dogs age, they typically are able to develop self-control and regulate their emotions in a much more stable way. If an older dog is throwing a dog temper tantrum, this could be due to health problems, changes in their routine or schedule, or anxiety. If an older dog is throwing a temper tantrum, there may be some aggression in dogs, more vocalization, and regression in potty training or other behaviors.

Why Might a Dog Be Throwing a Tantrum?

Being able to understand why your dog might be exhibiting some temper tantrum behavior is important in order to help manage and prevent further temper tantrums. It might take a lot of patience and time, so be prepared to ask for outside help from a veterinarian or a dog trainer.

2 Common Causes of Dog Tantrums

These are the main common causes of dog tantrums:

1. Frustration

Much like humans, dogs can easily become frustrated when something doesn’t go the way they want or when they encounter an obstacle. Sometimes this frustration shows as barking, whining, or destructive behavior. This can look like a temper tantrum, but really, your dog just wants you to understand and help fix what’s wrong.

2. Fear and Anxiety

The most common causes of tantrums in dogs are anxiety and fear. If a dog hears an unfamiliar or loud noise, is in a new place, or is left alone, it can trigger behaviors that are related to anxiety that may look like a temper tantrum. These behaviors often include excessive barking, hiding, or shaking. If your dog is shaking, it can also be due to anxiety.

This is just an overview of how to deal with temper tantrums in dogs. While these behaviors aren’t actually temper tantrums, it’s important to understand what’s going on with your dog. Being able to figure out what’s going on or getting more intensive training can go a long way and help to reduce and resolve temper tantrums in dogs.