Because you love your dog, you provide her with food and shelter, seeking to keep her alive and healthy. But don't stop there. In order to stay happy and healthy -- in order to have a good quality of life, there are three other things she also needs on a regular basis.
First, she needs to stay in shape through regular exercise. And just as she needs exercise for her body, she also needs exercise for her mind -- stimulation so she stays alert and occupied. And finally, if you want her to stay confident and happy, she needs to be socialized continually.
When the family doesn't spend enough time with her, or when she feels ignored, your dog will feel sad -- yes, dog's experience the full range of emotions, including sadness. And when she gets sad, there's a good chance she'll act up, displaying behaviors and attitudes you won't like. These may include barking inappropriately, chewing things, and digging. She may even run away. She's not being bad deliberately. But if you're not providing her appropriate entertainment then she'll need to entertain herself. And she'll use her actions -- in lieu of the words she cannot speak -- to try to communicate with you.
If your beloved pet misbehaves, remember that there's probably an underlying reason for her actions. Instead of scolding or punishing her, try to figure out what's causing the problem behavior. She's an adult now. If she's usually well behaved, then mis-behavior -- inappropriate behavior -- typically is a symptom of an underlying problem that you can successfully deal with. If something is out of balance or lacking with your dog, seek out (a) the cause, and (b) the solution. Instead of assuming, "Oh, she's just being a bad doggy," you should ask yourself, "Why isn't she behaving normally -- is there an underlying problem we need to address."
As dogs become more mature, it often happens that they aren't taken out as regularly as when they were puppies. We often fall into a pattern of less exercise and less socialization for our dogs because they seem content to relax around the house, enjoying your company and "helping" you do things. Nonetheless, you should do all you can to take her out frequently to socialize with other people and other dogs. She needs this in order to keep her mind stimulated and her social skills intact.
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