There are many situation where you can help your adopted dog
adjust effectively to its new surroundings and/or modify
its behavior (i.e.
jumping, barking, etc.). These pages contain
information about many of the common questions we get in these
areas. In addition the "Other Links" section has more references to
other sites that provide training and behavior advise.
Because there are many techniques that can be used for
changing a dogs behavior these pages can only act as guidelines
as to what might work for your pet. Getting professional support
is always best but these tips have proven to be effective for
many people.
And always remember;
"Your dog will respond quickly and become a happy
contented pet if you reward them for doing what you want instead
of punishing them for doing what you don't want."
To
minimize bad behavior problems your dog needs "something
to do" that will provide mental stimulation, exercise,
and attentiveness. So, walk the dog for 30 minutes. Play
ball with him. Do some fun training. Take a training
class. Teach your dog a new trick. Run him up and down
the stairs 20 times. If you can't take your dog for an
hour walk each day, then do it three times a week. Or do
something! You can't expect a dog, or a young puppy to
stay cooped up all day while you're at work and then lie
by your feet at night. If you can't make the commitment
to properly own a dog, then don't get a dog.
If you want to get the maximum benefit from walking your dog then learn to properly walk them by following these simple instructions. You will be pleasantly surprised by the positive, quick, results. Simply walking your dog may minimize or eliminate many behavior problems.
The proper way to walk a dog is the dog walking either
beside you, or behind you, never in front of you. This
may seem petty in a human's mind, however it means a lot
in a dogs mind. When a human allows a dog to walk in
front of them, they are sending signals to the dog that
he is leading the human. Instinct tells a dog that the
leader goes first.
A lack of exercise, allowing the build up of the mental energy which a proper walk releases, can cause many behavioral problems in a dog -- such as, but not limited to, hyper activity, neurotic, and/or obsessive compulsive behaviors, which are signs of a dog who is not mentally stable. An unstable dog is not a happy dog. Excitement in a dog is NOT a sign of happiness. Dogs who act very excitedly when their humans come home are showing signs of a lack of exercise and or leadership. For a dog, excitement does not indicate happiness. In most cases it is a sign of a dog who is not mentally stable. When you come home after being gone, avoid speaking to your dog in an excited manner for a few minutes. Go and do something else first. We must remember dogs are canines, not humans.
When getting ready to walk your dog, call the dog to you, do not go to the dog to put the lead on. After the dog comes to you make him or her sit calmly before snapping on the lead or slipping on the collar. Retractable leashes are not recommended, as they give the handler less control. The way you leave your house and property is also important. Your dog has to go out the door after you. If you put the leash on the dog and or leave the house while the dog is excited and leading you, you will be setting the mood for the rest of the walk to an excited state.
Take your dog to the front door and open the door. Make
the dog sit quietly, do not allow the dog to bolt out
the door. They need to see that you are the one deciding
when it's time to leave. As soon as your dog is sitting
quietly at the exit it's time to leave. Be sure you exit
the house before the dog, even if it's just a step
before the dog.
The collar should be far up on the neck, giving you more control over the dog. A body harness is not recommended for walking dogs. Harnesses were designed for pulling. Weight pulling, sled pulling etc.. The harness goes around the strongest point on the dogs body making it difficult to control the dog. Keeping the lead high up on the neck the same way they do in dog shows gives you more control with less effort. There should be no tension in the lead. Do not allow the dog to pull and don't constantly pull on your dog. Relax.
The lead should be short and hang loose. If the dog
starts to pull, tug the lead up and to the side throwing
him off balance, then hold the lead loosely again (a
very quick tug, NOT a yank or jerk in any fashion). If
the dog starts getting too excited and you're not
keeping him beside or behind you, turn, go the opposite
direction and stop (it's not necessary when you are
initially training your dog to walk properly that he has
to sit when ever you stop). Wait until he is calm than
start again. Do not call to the dog when you start
walking again, just start walking. The dog needs to
learn he is following you, and tune into the person
walking the dog. Do not praise your dog for walking
calmly. This only creates excitement and you are more
likely to pull your dog out of his calm, submissive
mind.
The dog is not to sniff the ground and relieve themselves where they please; they are to concentrate on following their handler while walking. The person walking the dog decides when the dog is allowed to sniff or pee, not the dog. It is ok to allow your dog to sniff around and do his business, however, only when you decide it is ok. The dog needs to see you are leading him, he is not leading you.
If you pass a barking dog or other distraction, keep moving forward. If your dog averts its attention to the distraction, give a tug on the lead to avert the attention back to the walk at hand. If the tug does not work you can also use your foot, not to kick the dog, but to touch him enough to snap his attention back on you. If you find the dog pulling, stop and make the dog sit. Correct any excited behavior over the distraction with a tug, and if that does not work you can also use a firm touch to the neck using your hand as a claw. Do this as soon as you see the dog starting to avert his gaze toward the distraction, or as soon as you see a look in your dog's eyes that tells you he is going to begin barking or growling. Timing is everything. This must be done right before the behavior happens or at the exact moment it starts. You do not want to wait until it escalates. If you wait too long before correcting a dog (were talking seconds), the dog may not even hear you; he will be too focused on the distraction. When correcting your dog, match your dogs intensity.
Walk at a good pace, keeping your shoulders held high.
Dogs can sense tension or lack of confidence. Walk
proud, like you are a strong leader. A dog will respond
to this, they will sense it. Notice how there is no
tension on the lead and the collar is up high on the
neck. Having the dog sit down when you stop is not
necessary especially when learning to walk properly,
however, the dog & you remaining calm is necessary.
It's a good idea to give the dog a few minute break every 15 minutes or so but only when you decide. This is the time for the dog to relieve themselves and sniff the area. A good practice is to stop and then give a command like "take-a-break" while you simultaneously let him go to the end of the leash.
The
very first thing you should do once you reach your home
is to go for a long walk with your dog
(30 minutes to one hour) through his new neighborhood.
During this walk you are both building a bond of trust
with your new companion and establishing your position
as leader. The rules of your entire relationship are
being established in those first important moments. The
dog is also getting the feeling of his new neighborhood.
You are tiring him out so he’ll be more amenable to
conditioning once you enter the house.
Entering the house is as important as the first walk together. Make sure you enter the house first. Then invite the dog in. Don’t let your husband/wife and kids come running out to shower the dog with affection and welcome him home. As hard as it will be for them, tell them to stand where they are. Bring the dog to them and let him approach them and learn their scents. All members of the family should project calm-assertive energy.
If you are bringing a dog into a new home where there in a cat or maybe two you should read the section we have on Dog & Cat Introductions. If you are bringing a dog into a home with another dog or two you should read the section on Dog to Dog Introductions and it would also be advisable to keep the new dog separate from your dog(s) for a few days to allow it to get comfortable with its new surroundings.
Avoid the temptation to let the dog roam the house and property, sniffing out every new room and object – you are allowing him to claim the entire property for his own. For the first couple of weeks, you must give him “permission” to do everything. The first night, dedicate a room for him and a sleeping place, possibly his crate or kennel. Once your dog is quiet, in his kennel, and ready for sleep, then you can share affection and begin your heart to heart bonding. But remember, it is not loving energy but the energy of your leadership that will make your dog feel safe and secure in your home.
The
next day, begin what will become your dog’s regular
routine: a long walk first thing in the morning, then
food, then affection, then rest. Introduce the dog
gradually to one room at a time, always making it clear
that you are the one giving him permission to enter.
Establish early on what is off-limits and what is okay.
Consistency and strength during this early phase are
gifts you are giving the dog. You are giving the gift of
a solid, reliable pack—one in which he will soon be able
to relax and become his calm-submissive self.
Remember the saying: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression"? The idea works with dogs, too. No matter how happy you are to bring him home, no matter how much you want to make up for the shabby way he was treated before you got him, start him off right from the beginning. Decide what the house rules are and stick to them, for the first couple of months, at least. Let him know that even though you're the nicest person on earth and the best human he could ever hope to find, your house does have rules, and he must follow them. Be what dog trainers call a benevolent alpha — a nice boss, but still a boss. Your dog will understand, respect, and love you for being his leader — it's the way dogs are. If you're not in charge, your dog will be. No democracies here. You may want to try a "Nothing In Life is Free" program.
Most adult dogs start feeling comfortable in their new homes in about a month. You can do a few things to help him understand that yours is his new home and he is a loved member of his new family, but model your leadership in front of him. Here are a few exercises to try:
Leash-bonding. For an hour each night, attach your dog’s leash to your belt and go about your business with the other end snapped to the dog's collar. Don't call him along with you and keep your hands off the leash. Just move about your house as you normally would — putting dishes in the dishwasher, paying bills, putting in a load of wash. Don't pay the dog much mind — just let your body weight remind him that he'd better go with you. The payoff is that he learns to pay attention to where you are and to think you and what you're doing are significant.
Sit
for what you want. Your dog should
get in the habit of sitting for the good things. Ask
him to "Sit" — and praise him when he does — before
putting down his food dish, before petting him, and
before letting him walk out the door on a walk.
He'll start to think all good things come from you,
but only when he behaves as you wish.
People first. In the dog world the higher-ranking animal goes first. You want that higher ranking animal to be you. So your dog should eat after you do, and he should walk out a door after you do. Never let him run past you — out of a car, into your yard, or into the park — as if he owns the joint. He doesn't. It's that simple.
People food, dog food. Don't share your meals with your dog, and don't add your table scraps to his. If you share, you have no one to blame but yourself for his begging.
"Oh, c'mon!" you're saying, "who died and made you a
drill sergeant? I want to spoil my dog!" Sure. Later -
when your dog has good house manners and you are seen as
the “Alpha” or leader in your dogs eyes. Can your dog
sleep on the bed? You bet! But they shouldn't come up
without permission and they should know it's a
privilege, not a right. Can you share your carrots
sticks with them? Of course! But they should sit for
them, every one. And when you tell them you're done
sharing and to go to their beds, they should. Set the
ground rules early and stick to them fairly and
consistently. You can always loosen up, but tightening
up is awfully hard after your dog's out of control.
Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get
off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or
played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food
bowl or toys from you? “Nothing in life is free” can
help. “Nothing in life is free” is not a magic pill that
will solve a specific behavior problem; rather it’s a
way of living with your dog that will help it behave
better because it trusts and accepts you as its leader
and is confident knowing its place in your family.
Using positive reinforcement methods, teach your dog a
few commands and/or tricks. “Sit,” “Down” and “Stay” are
useful commands and “Shake,” “Speak” and “Rollover” are
fun tricks to teach your dog.
Once your dog knows a few commands, you can begin to
practice “nothing in life is free.” Before you give your
dog anything (food, a treat, a walk, a pat on the head)
it must first perform one of the commands it has
learned. For example:
YOU | YOUR DOG |
Put your dog’s leash on to go for a walk | Must sit until you’ve put the leash on |
Feed your dog | Must lie down and stay until you’ve put the bowl down |
Play a game of fetch after work | Must sit and shake hands each time you throw the toy |
Rub your dog’s belly while watching TV | Must lie down and rollover before being petted |
Once you’ve given the command, don’t give your dog what it wants until it does what you want. If it refuses to perform the command, walk away, come back a few minutes later and start again. If your dog refuses to obey the command, be patient and remember that eventually it will have to obey your command in order to get what it wants.
Make sure your dog knows the command well and understands what you want before you begin practicing “nothing in life is free.”
Most dogs assume a neutral or submissive role toward people, but some dogs will challenge their owners for dominance. Requiring a dominant dog to work for everything it wants is a safe and non-confrontational way to establish control.
Dogs who may never display aggressive behavior such as growling, snarling, or snapping, may still manage to manipulate you. These dogs may display affectionate, though “pushy” behavior, such as nudging your hand to be petted or “worming” its way on to the furniture in order to be close to you. This technique gently reminds the “pushy” dog that it must abide by your rules.
Obeying commands helps build a fearful dog’s confidence; having a strong leader and knowing its place in the hierarchy helps to make the submissive dog feel more secure.
Animals that live in groups, like dogs, establish a
social structure within the group called a dominance
hierarchy. This dominance hierarchy serves to maintain
order, reduce conflict and promote cooperation among
pack members. In order for your home to be a safe and
happy place for pets and people, it’s best that the
humans in the household assume the highest positions in
the dominance hierarchy. Practicing “nothing in life is
free” effectively and gently communicates to your dog
that its position in the hierarchy is subordinate to
yours. From your dog’s point of view, children also have
a place in this hierarchy. Because children are small
and can get down on the dog’s level to play, dogs often
consider them to be playmates, rather than superiors.
With the supervision of an adult, it’s a good idea to
encourage children in the household (aged eight and
over) to also practice “nothing in life is free” with
your dog.
The bottom line for having two dogs meet for the 1st
time is that you do not want to rush into the
introduction process because first impressions are very
important and if done incorrectly can result in long
term problems. It is much better to spend 20 minutes on
a walk/introduction, than rushing into it all and
causing the dogs to have potentially serious issues with
each other.
It's also very effective to use this method when you bring the new dog into your home. By walking the dogs together 1st they get acquainted in neutral territory and on equal terms. Once they get along on the walk you simply walk both dogs directly into your home for the 1st time. They don't have any time to do anything but follow your lead.
Choose a neutral location to introduce the dogs for the first time and take them for a walk. This is the most effective way to have dogs get off to a good start. This will help them develop the sense that they are a team/pack.
If you normally walk your dog on your left side then have the other person walk the other dog on their left as well. Have the other person walk new dog so it is on your right side. You will then be in a line so that there will be a dog, a person, a dog and a person.
Walk both dogs in a calm and relaxed manner as described above for at least 5 minutes or more. The dogs will be aware of each other but must remain focused on the walk. Do not stop to let the dogs interact. If the dogs try to interact just keep calmly walking.
Observe both dogs as you walk to make sure neither is showing any signs of aggression (i.e. tail up, growling, hair on back standing up, staring, etc.).
If one dog poops or pees, let the other dog sniff it – after the dog doing the pooping/peeing is done. Make sure you separate the dogs. The sniffing of poop and urine is an important exchange of information and energy between the two dogs. Once the two dogs are eliminating in each other’s presence, that’s a very good sign that the dogs are getting used to each other.
After 5 or 10 minutes stop and let the dogs have a break. Don't make a big deal of this. Simply stop and have a conversation with your walking partner and let the dogs smell each other while you watch for any signs of aggression. Don't let one dog jump on top on the other in any way.
Also take breaks and give the dogs long, slow, massaging strokes down the length of their body. Your goal is to get your dog as physically relaxed as possible.
The best way to handle dog fights is to prevent them from happening altogether. After bringing home a new dog, be careful to avoid situations that could lead to arguments. Many families report that their new dog is fighting with their current dog but they have unknowingly set the dogs up to fail by allowing them toys and treats that can are guarded by one or both dogs. Follow these preventative measures for the first few weeks until you are sure your dog and your new family member have settled into their new roles:
Initially feed dogs in separate rooms and keep the doors shut until both dogs have finished eating. Never let them eat side-by-side, where fighting may start over left-over food.
When giving treats, only give those that are eaten directly from your hand. Don’t give them big bones, rawhides or other treats that will be carried away and guarded.
Confine the new dog when you aren't present to supervise. Even when the two dogs seem to be tolerating each other well, continue for at least one month to confine the newcomer when you aren't home. Keep their first unsupervised time together short.
Train both dogs (ideally the resident dog is already well-trained!) to sit and stay on command, in order to maximize your control.
Remember that the dogs will decide their relative status on their own. The resident dog may not be the "top dog." Their status is not set in stone, and it is perfectly normal for dogs to challenge one another from time to time. Often you will not even be aware of the challenges. If you sense that a conflict is brewing, redirect their attention by giving them some commands and engaging them in other activities. If a fight seems imminent, separate the dogs and let them cool off.
If the newcomer is a puppy, do not allow the puppy to badger the resident dog. Redirect the puppy's attention toward yourself. Praise the puppy for reorienting to you. Begin teaching the puppy some rudimentary obedience commands from the day he or she comes into your home. You will need to confine the puppy when you cannot be present to supervise for several months.
If
you have a doggie door, the procedure is the same, until
he learns to go out by himself. But you should still be
there early on to praise him and to train him to go in a
certain part of the yard.
Some trainers suggest giving a cookie when the dog pees or poops. It's not a good idea because then the dog becomes focused on the treat. Praise the dog and immediately go back inside. This will show the dog why you’re out there. This applies to yard training, of course. If you live in an apartment, you’ll just walk your dog on a schedule that he can count on.
A
dog that constantly barks can be extremely annoying -
both for you and for your neighbors. All dogs bark, but
when it reaches a certain stage, you need to stop dog
barking before it becomes a real problem. There are a
number of ways you can do this. You can buy special
products that cause unpleasantness for the dog when it
barks - such as dog bark collars. You can spend some
time with your dog, teaching it not to bark at
inappropriate times and praising it for good barking
behavior. Or you can hire a special trainer who can help
you control dog barking.
A barking dog does not always signify a dog barking problem. There are times when we actually want our dogs to bark - such as when an intruder enters the premises or when the family is in danger. In fact, many dogs are bred to bark in different situations in order to serve as a type of alarm.
One of the other reasons a dog barks is to communicate. A dog may bark when it wants to go outside or when it is excited because it senses it is going for a walk. It may also bark because it is cold, hungry, bored, anxious or excited. A dog may bark when it sees other dogs. There are many different types of barking that do not pose a problem - and may actually help their owners. Before seeking to stop dog barking, you should think about whether your dog may be trying to tell you something when it barks.
Most owners will be prepared to accept some level of barking from their dogs. The time when this barking becomes a problem will differ depending on your circumstances. A person with a small baby or who lives in an apartment will probably hope to minimize barking as much as possible. Someone who has their dog primarily as a guard dog will be prepared - and may even welcome - a fair amount of barking. Different people will have different ideas about what constitutes a dog barking problem.
Some times when owners will wish to control dog barking may include:
When it wakes the family in the middle of the night
When it annoys the neighbors
When it interrupts the family
When it breaks dog barking ordinances
When the dog seems to bark for no reason
When the dog barks at "intruders," even when these people are nowhere near the premises
When the dog barks at welcomed visitors
Dogs do not bark excessively simply to annoy people.
When dogs bark, they do not understand that they may be
causing a problem. They are barking for a reason, and it
is up to the owner to try and understand that reason so
that the behavior can be controlled. Here are some of
the reasons why a dog may bark excessively:
They have not yet learned what is an acceptable amount of barking
They are anxious or bored
They have been trained to bark and believe they are doing what is required of them
They are trying to communicate with their owners and the message is not getting through
The first step in stopping excessive barking is to try and understand why your dog may be barking. Look at their environment and their history and see if you can identify any causes for the excessive barking. This will help you as you train your dog to control its barking. Some of the methods you can use to control dog barking include:
Remove anything that may be causing your dog discomfort or fear
Provide lots of toys and items to keep your dog amused
Spend lots of time with your dog
Ensure your dog feels safe
Understand when your dog is barking to communicate
Exercise your dog regularly
Don't reinforce anxiety barking
Remove any potential "triggers" from the dog's environment
Praise your dog for barking at appropriate times
For dogs that just won't stop barking, there are a number of products and training services available to help.
These collars spray the citronella scent in front of your dog's nose when it barks. As the dog does not like the smell, it will begin to associate barking with the unpleasant scent. You can order citronella anti-bark collars from Amazon.com. You can also find these collars and similar products from pet stores.
These collars give the dog a shock when it barks. Many dog trainers and vets do not like the idea of these shock collars. However, others believe they are a good training tool if use correctly. If you will be patient and persistent with other techniques this approach will not be needed.
There are a number of dog trainers who will work individually with your dog in order to control your dog's barking. These trainers will be able to help train your dog and to give you tips for producing the right behavior in your dog. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has a Search Page that you can use to help you find a qualified trainer.
You might be tempted to try debarking surgery, which removes a dog's ability to bark. However, almost all dog trainers and vets consider this very inhumane. Barking is a dog's way of communicating to you and each other. To remove it would be like removing a human's ability to speak and should therefore should not be considered.
Although dog bark collars can be very useful, they are not the best method of dog bark control. Even if it works, the reason for the dog's barking may still continue, causing anxiety and unpleasantness for your dog. If you want to stop dog barking, understand why the animal barks, remove any "triggers" and reinforce good barking behavior.
Separation anxiety in dogs is a problem for around
10% of all dogs including puppies. Somewhat ironically,
problems related to separation anxiety is the
contributor for many dogs ending up in animal shelters.
Separation anxiety can be a difficult problem to
overcome that's why this section is so lengthy. However,
with patience and persistence your efforts will be
rewarded and you will experience the joy of seeing your
pet overcome their condition. The new relationship that
you will have with your dog will make the effort worth
while.
Much of what is called "separation anxiety" is really boredom, or the dog discovering the chance to engage in his favorite "hobbies" safely. If your dog spends every second that you're home glued to your side, including sleeping times, and any destruction you find happens within the first 20 minutes of your absence (use a video camera to watch, or come back within a short time period) then it's possible that you have a true case of separation anxiety. If your dog can spend the night away from you, and is comfortable being somewhat separated from you while you're home, you probably do not really have separation anxiety - you are more likely to be dealing with boredom or just inappropriate chewing, barking, digging, etc.
Serious separation anxiety is indicated by a dog who
does major property damage (chews holes through walls),
injures himself in his anxiety (scratches or rubs paws
or nose raw in digging or chewing), or stresses himself
to the point of exhaustion during your absence. While
stop-gap measures, like keeping the dog with you or with
another person, will help while you train, you will need
to spend a lot of time teaching this type of dog that he
can survive being alone.
Start by making sure your dog is getting enough exercise, including mental exercise (usually satisfied with some training and the chance to interact with other dogs or explore new places). Before you can retrain your dog (and it may take weeks or longer), arrange for the dog to not be alone - get a pet sitter, join a doggy daycare, or leave your dog with a friend who's home all day.
Get your dog used to being confined to a pen or room where you will eventually leave him, even when you're home. Give him chew toys or some other interactive toy to occupy himself with while you quietly remain near by and ignore him. If your dog abandons the toy to try to demand your attention, quietly get him interested in the toy again, and quietly praise him for playing with it. Go back to ignoring him for a very brief period, and then intermittently, quietly praise or reward him for it. Practice this quiet confinement for a little while, then quietly open the door or gate and go about your business, allowing the dog to leave that area as well. This will be your dog's "safety zone". Do NOT leave your dog in this area when you must actually leave - for now.
Throughout your time together, do not give in to your dog's demands for your attention. If he comes to you whining, pawing, barking, jumping, jumping into your lap, or rubbing up against your hand, quietly turn away from him (you can stand up a little slowly to softly dump a small dog out of your lap). Wait until your dog is doing something else that is acceptable (not demanding your attention), and then call him over for some attention. Remember, if your dog can get your attention on demand any time you are home, it will be an even sharper contrast when you are gone.
Some research has suggested that this process of no longer allowing your dog on your lap or your furniture, no longer allowing him to sleep in your room, no longer giving treats "for free", and no longer allowing your dog to follow you throughout the house (using doors, baby gates, "stay" commands, etc.) may be vital for some separation anxiety cases. You may want to try a "Nothing In Life is Free" program.
Next, pick a day (or two) when you can practice desensitization without having to actually leave - a weekend is a pretty good time to start.
Figure out what begins your dog's anxiety. Is it when you put on your work shoes? Brush your hair? Pick up your keys? Find the earliest item in your getting-ready-to-go sequence that makes your dog anxious. Then practice doing that action, over and over again, until your dog is no longer anxious about it. For example, put on your work shoes, then take them off, then put them on again, over and over. You don't need to talk to your dog or do anything else special. Act just like you do every morning when you put on those shoes. When your dog is no longer anxious when you put on your shoes, move to the next step in your normal morning sequence; perhaps brushing your hair. (Note that if your dog's anxiety does not decrease after several repetitions, you are probably not working on the first item in your getting-ready-to-go sequence, and you'll need to back up).
Repeat this exercise several times a day (5-10 times if possible), starting each sequence at a time when the dog is relaxed. Do NOT repeat the exercise if your dog seems MORE anxious when you start, or if he can't settle down in between repetitions, or if he follows and watches you MORE between exercises.
You will have to spend a LOT of time with the early items in your getting-ready-to-go sequence, but as your dog learns to deal with this sort of thing, it will get easier. Opening up the front door (presumably the last item in your getting-ready-to-go sequence) will take fewer repetitions than the first item (putting on work shoes, in this example).
When you've worked through your whole
getting-ready-to-go sequence and your dog is no longer
anxious, you're ready for your first absence session. Up
to now, your dog with separation anxiety has associated
absences with intense anxiety. The dog has to now learn
to associate absences with a lack of anxiety, or
calmness. You and the dog will practice being apart from
each other for very short lengths of time - the time
that your dog can handle - and you will gradually
practice longer and longer lengths.
So you've gone through your whole getting-ready-to-go sequence, and your dog is not yet anxious (if your dog is anxious, you are not ready to do any absences. Go over repeating the sequence items until your dog is calm about them). Now you're ready for your first very short absence. First you're going to want to give your dog some signal that this is just a "practice session". This could involve asking the dog to stay in a different area (such as the pen or room you practiced in), leaving a radio on, even spraying a certain scent in the air. This becomes a "practice cue" or a "safety cue".
Walk out the door, shut it behind you, lock it, and then turn around, unlock it, and come back in. Don't make a fuss over the dog. Repeat. When your dog is not anxious, lengthen your absence to 2 seconds. Repeat until your dog is not anxious. Lengthen your absences to 3 seconds, with occasional 1-second absences. Repeat until your dog is not anxious. Continue with this process, gradually increasing the length of time you are gone. Every once in a while practice a shorter session - you don't want the dog to learn that each absence will be longer, as this might make him more anxious. Gradually increase the average length of time of your absence until the dog is alone for longer than your normal absence. (although some researchers write that two hours is a benchmark, after which the dog may be able to handle significantly longer time.) Yes, that means you will NOT be able to really leave the dog alone in the "safety zone" for longer than you've successfully practiced. Keep your dog in the old place where you had him wait, and/or hire a dog sitter, etc.
It might help to set up some cues that the dog will not be alone for longer than he can handle, in other words, that this is just a practice session. Do you normally leave the radio or TV on when you're home? If you do, the silence when you're gone is a good indicator that the dog is alone. During this training, set up a cue that says "this is just a practice", such as the sound of the radio or a Mozart CD that you leave on "repeat" on the CD player. When you really do leave, you will continue to play this same cue - the dog will always believe that this is just a practice session.
Note: Some medications, such as the tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone and benzodiazepines (possibly clomipramine hydrochloride, "Clomicalm" or amitryptalline), may help your dog get over his anxiety. These MUST be prescribed by a knowledgeable veterinarian. However, some of these may take a few weeks to take effect, so you will need to make sure the medications are in effect before you try to use them in combination with the desensitization. The medications will not work in the long-term without the desensitization/counter-conditioning work - the process of teaching the dog how to deal with being left alone.
Another thing you might want to consider is a product which is a sort of doggy "plug-in" called "Comfort Zone with DAP", which releases a chemical which is supposed to be a dog comforting hormone. It often helps to calm stressed or exited dogs down. For some "anxious dogs" it seems to really help take the edge off of their anxiety or intensity. Some researchers suggest that it may be as effective as clomipramine.
Homeopathic remedies like the Bach Flower Essence mix "Rescue Remedy", may also help calm a very anxious dog during training. You should talk to your vet (traditional or holistic) about using these items to help. Visit the Alternative Veterinary Medicine webpage to find a holistic vet near you.
This is an outline of the steps that you must go through to help your dog deal with separation anxiety. The process takes a long time - weeks or months - and you may find that an experienced dog trainer or behaviorist can help the process go more smoothly and more quickly.
My Dalmatian Harry developed separation anxiety
seemingly for no reason when he was about 7 years old.
He would start digging and crying as soon as I left the
house, even if my other family members were home. Aside
from the 4 step program listed below, I continued to
practice the general day to day duties of responsible
dog ownership. By this I mean things like providing a
safe and comfortable bed, plenty of exercise and
obedience training.
Harry would start to get anxious (his whole body would shake) at the very first sign of me leaving the house. This typically would be putting my shoes on or turning off the TV or heater. It became a real problem for Harry, myself and the rest of my family, this is how we eventually solved it:
Step 1: Canine Separation Anxiety Treatment
Since Harry was always by my side when I was home I had to slowly teach him that he didn't always need to be close to me. I started out by ignoring his attention seeking behavior (jumping up, barking etc.) and then did some solid practice of his down stay. Little by little we extended the time and distance we spent apart, until he was happy to be alone for up to 30 minutes. Of course, we still spent lots of fun time together.
Step 2
The next step was to get him used to being outside while I was inside. Again we started off with very small periods apart and gradually lengthened the time over a couple of weeks.
If you try this Separation Anxiety in dogs treatment make sure that you don't just leave your dog outside to get all worked up and stressed. The trick is to start out leaving your dog out for a few seconds, then going out and reuniting before he shows any signs of separation anxiety. Give your dog a treat or dog toy to keep his mind off missing you. Only initiate contact with your dog when he is calm and quiet.
Step 3
The next step in fixing Harry's separation anxiety problem was to eliminate the distress caused by me getting ready to leave the house for work. What I did was write a list of all the triggers that started Harry's anxiety. I then set about desensitizing him to these triggers. I'd put my shoes on, and not go anywhere. Put my coat on, then sit down to read the paper. Pick up my car keys and just carry them around with me, jangling along as I went about my business. After a while (about 3 weeks) Harry barely offered a sideways glance at my shenanigans.
Step 4
When Harry was completely calm in situations that would have unsettled him in the past, I left the house. At first I just stepped outside, shut the door and came back inside within 20 seconds - before he made a sound. Again this was a slow process, similar to step 2. I extended the time outside the front door and then graduated to starting the car, then driving around the block before I came back inside.
You can provide a tasty treat to your dog on your way out the door, something that he can work on for a while. Harry's favorite was a frozen Kong stuffed full of peanut butter and a few liver treats, this eventually kept him occupied for hours. Remember that when you return home, don't make a huge fuss. Come inside, get changed, pour yourself a nice hot coffee, then greet your calm dog.
This process did prove effective for me and my anxious dalmation. All up the 4 steps took about 5 weeks to work through and fix Harry's separation anxiety problem. My Vet suggested that I supplement this training with some medication. I didn't go down that path, but it would have been my next step had I required it.
Lake Haven does its best to adopt dogs that do NOT show signs of aggressive behavior. There are many types of dog aggression and these tips are focused on dog-to-dog aggression. If your dog develops signs of aggressive behavior you should consider getting professional help to control the issue before it escalates.
So you are aware, here are the most common types of aggressive behavior:
Fear/Nervous Aggression | |
Territorial Aggression | Dominance Aggression |
Predatory Aggression | Learned Aggression |
Sexual Aggression | Protective Aggression |
So remember, that dog aggression is a complex canine
behavioral problem, with each case requiring serious
attention. It can stem from many and varied causes and
can surface at any time throughout your dog's life. Dog
on dog aggression if left untreated will only escalate
and become worse. It won't just disappear without your
intervention.
Your first course of action should be a visit to your
Veterinarian to rule out any medical reasons for the
aggressive behavior (don't just rule this out yourself).
If you can't control your dog's aggression then seek out the expertise of an experienced animal behavior specialist. This applies to all forms of dog aggression - it's just too serious to take lightly.
Attend proper obedience training classes because obedience training establishes you as a fair and trusted leader and improves communication between handler and dog. It also means you will have voice control over your dog in any situation.
If you have a puppy then early socialization is a crucial stage for it to go through. Letting your dogs learn how to interact with each other is an essential step in the prevention of dog to dog aggression.
Each time you let your dog get away with aggressive behavior you are actually rewarding so don't reinforce the unwanted behavior.
Don't add punishment or pain such as leash corrections or electronic shock collars to an already fired up and stressed dog is a very risky action to take. There's far more effective and humane training methods we can implement instead. Remember; "Your dog will respond quickly if you reward him for doing what you want instead of punishing him for doing what you don't want."
The earlier you recognize and take proper action against the aggression the better. Remember that dog to dog aggression is never acceptable and you must make it crystal clear to your dog on every occasion it occurs.
Head collars and a muzzle are an effective tool to prevent altercations and may help but they don't get to the root of the problem. They are not the ultimate solution.
Never comfort your dog when he/she displays aggression - this sends the wrong message and actually rewards the behavior. As we know behavior that we reward is highly likely to be repeated.
One of the most common times your dog displays aggression towards other dogs is when you are out enjoying your daily walk. Lets have a look at some of the steps you can take to control your dog's on leash frustration.
Once again obedience training is the key. At the first sign of any anxious or aggressive behavior from your dog you can immediately call on an obedience command such as a down-stay to divert his/her attention. You are asking your dog to perform an alternate behavior which takes his focus and attention away from the other dog. It also changes your dogs body language to a passive, non threatening posture.
When you are in the process of eradicating on leash aggression be sure to use a suitable muzzle and do your best to avoid possible confrontations. This won't fix the problem but it's a worthwhile temporary measure.
Always be mindful that your dog is very sensitive to your energy, emotions, breathing and feelings. Therefore if you tense up and grab hold of the leash tightly at the first sign of an approaching dog, your dog will pick up on this and become anxious and stressed. This is a huge factor in most cases of on leash aggression.
You want your dog to believe that other dogs are no big deal rather than something to get worked up about. Another reason to not tighten up the leash is because this changes your dog's body language (makes your dog stand upright and tall). This can be seen by the other dogs as a show of dominance or at the very least threatening.
As with teaching any new command start in a familiar environment to your dog, free from any distractions DO NOT start teaching this attention exercise when you are out and about on your walk.
This exercise is all about getting and holding the attention of your dog, so grab a handful of your dogs favorite treats and lets get started!
With your dog on leash say "Toby" (your dogs name) "look", as soon as your dog looks up at you (gaining eye contact) praise him/her and then produce the treat from your pocket and give it. Remember to keep this sequence the same every time "Toby look!, as soon as you gain eye contact immediately praise your dog "good boy!", then provide the treat.
Build on this training by adding some variables such as saying "Toby look!" then take a couple of steps to one side. When your dog follows you and looks up to make eye contact you praise and produce the yummy treat. Now you can lengthen the amount of time you have your dog's attention by repeating this exercise back to back. It goes like this, say "Toby look!" take a couple of steps to your right, your dog follows you and looks up into your eyes, you praise and then treat. Straight away you repeat this process (step to the left this time) and continue to do it 5 or 6 times.
Keep practicing this exercise over and over and take it to different locations and gradually add some distractions such as the presence of other dogs. This may take a while, take it slow!
Engage in consistent (daily) non-confrontational obedience training with an appropriate reward for a job well done (see the "Nothing In Life Is Free" section).
Require all food and treats to be earned by having the dog sit or lie down on command before they are made available.
Have the dog work to receive petting (obey a command).
Initiate and terminate all games, using one-word commands.
Store all toys and other objects the dog is likely to steal and only provide them under certain terms and conditions.
Do not supply real bones, rawhide chews, or delicious foods that the dog might want to protect.
Do not force a dominant dog to do anything.
Never reprimand the dog but rather ignore it, turning a cold shoulder when it behaves badly.
Prevent the dog from getting onto furniture or beds. Over time it can be allowed but only when the dog is invited.
Dogs jumping up on people is at best an
embarrassing, annoying habit and at worst a danger
for all involved. If you can't stand your much loved
dog jumping on you, just imagine what visitors to
your home must think?
Excitement, they're just showing you that they are happy to see you.
Your dog could be seeking your attention and has been rewarded with it by jumping up in the past.
Always keep in mind that your dog doesn't understand that the jumping up behavior is "inappropriate". It's up to you to clearly communicate this to your dog.
Start as early as you can. It's much easier to prevent behavior problems such as dogs jumping on people, than to correct ingrained existing habits.
Punishing or hitting a dog for jumping up just doesn't make sense and will never work. Your goal, and your best chance of stopping your dog from jumping up is to clearly communicate that jumping up is always an unacceptable behavior.
Never reward a dog that jumps up on people by giving them the attention they are seeking. Rewarded behavior is reinforced behavior, meaning it will become more common.
You have to send a consistent message to your dog in all circumstances. Make it simple for your dog and eliminate any confusion. This means that everybody who comes into contact with your dog has to reinforce the same message. It's pointless and unfair if you give your dog a cuddle and attention when he jumps up on you, but then yell at him when he jumps up on a delivery man.
Depending on what stage you're at with the jumping up problem, you should find one of these training techniques will do the trick. In most cases you will see some positive results in a matter of days. These are my favorite methods which I have successfully used to stop my dogs from jumping:
When you see that your dog is ready to launch up at you, turn your body away from him. This will make your dog miss you, or at the very least deflect him off you. During this process don't make any eye contact with your dog and don't say a thing. Ignore your dog and make it clear to him that when he jumps he gets nothing from you. When your dog has settled down and stops jumping, you then initiate some contact with him. Get down to his level and lavish him with praise and a nice scratch behind the ear. If you are consistent and persistent with this method, your dog will soon learn that staying on all four legs is a much better alternative!
If your dog has already jumped up on you then grab both of his paws. Don't squeeze them just hold them hard enough so the dog can't break free. Then as soon as the dog starts to struggle then release him and simultaneously say the command "OFF." Dogs generally don't like to have their paws restrained so this method usually get results very quickly.
If you can catch the dog soon enough you might try to quickly give him something else to do. For example, instruct my dogs to "sit" - this is sometimes referred to as "alternate behavior training".
The good thing about jumping up problems in dogs is that they are usually an easy fix. As long as you are determined to correct the problem and follow a training techniques consistently.
Small Dog Syndrome is often used to describe toy
breeds or any small dog that is a nasty, snippy thing.
Dog aggression issues more often than not stem from the
owners. How people act with small dogs are the reasons
so many become tiny terrors. Even worse are the owners
who laugh the behaviors off because tiny Spiffy is so
funny when she lunges after great big Uncle Joe. No
matter what size a dog is, a bite is a bite and can lead
to major medical and legal issues. Even a small dog is
capable of delivering a severe bite, especially if the
victim is a child or the bite is to the face. The golden
rule of small dog ownership: if you would not allow a
large dog to get away with a behavior, neither will you
allow a small dog. What can owners do to help prevent
Small Dog Syndrome?
Realize that no matter what the size, dogs are dogs and not toys. These are not babies to be doted on with frilly clothes or treated like human infants. These are dogs and driven by the same inherent behaviors that all dogs are. Yes, there are differences in temperament breed to breed, but in general, you will see varying degrees of the same inherent behaviors in all dogs.
Small dogs are NOT fashion accessories. Sadly, too many “celebrities” own dogs as accessories and this means others will get dogs for the same reason.
Do not carry your dog all over. This can result in various behavioral issues because the dog is now unnaturally elevated. In addition, you are depriving your dog of exercise and the ability to be a dog.
Do not pick your dog up or allow others to without signaling the dog. A dog who does not wish to be picked up will react. Then when put down, he will learn that acting aggressively will stop the humans. Teach your dog to be picked up on cue so there are no surprises.
Do not allow your dog to walk all over you while you are on chairs/bed/floor nor should you give into demands for attention. All these can elevate the dog’s position above you.
Do not allow your dog to get away with snapping at
people while in your lap. If this happens, DO NOT stroke
your dog, you are encouraging and even praising these
behaviors in a dog’s mind. Instead, give a quick “Uh!
Uh!” and put the dog promptly on the floor.
Do not hand feed your dog. Unless there is a medical reason your dog has to be force fed, things like feeding your dog from your plate or only feeding your dog from your hand can add to undesired issues. Of course, your dog must learn to take treats and not to develop food aggressions, but it will not kill your dog to eat meals from a bowl.
Never put your dog on the counter or table for meals and feed from your fork. It is not natural for a dog to sit in a highchair and wear bib for meals.
Do not take size as an excuse for failing to housetrain.
Do not allow children to treat your dog like a toy, pick up, dress up like a doll or tote around. Even a small drop can cause severe damage to a tiny dog. If your child “pushes the envelope” too far with the dog, there can be a nasty nip or even a bite as a result.
If you must use clothing for your dog, make sure it is practical and properly fits. Clothes that constrain movement and are knock-offs of human clothes can cause stress which can lead to undesired reactions and behaviors. Choose clothes that allow for full free movement of legs and the ability to easily meet bodily needs.
Small dogs do have special considerations. They see
the world far differently than larger dogs. Humans tend
to do things with them that they would never think of
doing with a larger dog. Lie down on the floor, look up
and now have someone stand over you and act silly. This
is scary. Well this is what your dog deals with on a
daily basis. Ask people to kneel down when greeting your
dog. However, your dog must learn it is bad manners to
jump into laps without permission. Ask people not to coo
or fawn all over your dog or get the dog’s face. Do not
allow them to encourage bad behaviors like jumping or
growling. Do not allow them to loom over your dog or
swoop in for a sudden pickup. It is not cute and it is a
potential lawsuit should a poorly behaving human get
nipped or even bitten. Not to mention that any work you
have done could be set back.
Small dogs need not become ankle-biting menaces. If you are seeing worrisome behaviors in your small dog, please consult with a trainer who is familiar with the issues facing small dogs but who also knows how to cultivate the desired behaviors you should have in any dog regardless of size.
A dog's ability to live with a specific cat does not
mean that it is "good" with all cats. It may simply mean
that the dog has low or no prey drive.
A dog can live with cat(s) while still maintaining prey drive around all other cats; this is because the dog considers the cat a possession or a member of the pack, (a part of the family) not prey.
You will have better chance of success if your dog is a puppy. A puppy who grows up with a cat is likely to see the cat as part of the pack.
You will have less chance of success if:
Your dog has an aggressive or predatory nature. An aggressive dog can seriously injure or kill a cat.
Your cat is a small kitten, or is declawed, handicapped, or elderly. A kitten can be injured by an overly playful dog. Declawed, older, or handicapped cats are less equipped to defend themselves.
Get to know your dog and cat well. Be able to interpret
their body language and sense their moods.
Your dog should be well-trained, and respond to commands to come, stay, and sit.
You should also know how to blend mild discipline and positive redirection to gently influence your cat's behavior.
Make sure the cat can escape if she needs to. Cats
are more likely to be hurt by dogs than vice versa, so
make sure your cat has spots throughout the
house--cleared-off countertops and shelves, kitty
condos, and so on--to leap out of harm's way.
You'll also want to create areas where the cat can get a
good distance away from the dog. You can block off rooms
with baby gates, so long as your dog can't jump over
them, or install cat doors that will let your cat escape
outside or into another room.
If you already have a cat and are preparing to bring a
new dog home, get your kitty acquainted with these
escape routes and hiding places in advance. Lure her
through the cat door, over a gate, or onto a safety
perch with the help of a food treat.
The key is to go as slowly as it takes to keep fear and
aggression at a minimum. It's likely that you'll see
some of both, but if you're careful, you can stop it
before it snowballs.
Keep going over each step until it's old hat to both
animals, and if either gets frightened or overly
excited, just go back to the previous step and keep
practicing until they're calm again. This process may
take days, or it may take months.
Get them used to each other's scent. Rub a cloth on each pet and put it in the other's hang-out spot--on the dog bed, under the cat's food dish, on your lap. You may have to refresh the cloth with the animal's scent several times. Keep it up until neither one seems overly excited or distressed by the other's smell--barking and whining in your dog and a swishing tail in your cat are signs they need more time.
Let them investigate each other's living areas. While the cat's outside or elsewhere in the house, bring the dog in to sniff around her lair, and vice versa. This way they can explore the other's territory and scent without a direct face-off.
Introduce them through a door or baby gate. Bring the
dog and cat on opposite sides of a closed door or baby
gate, with a person on both sides. Don't restrain your
cat at all; feeling like she can't get away may frighten
her.
Let them sniff under the door or through the gate, but
if your cat doesn't want to get too close, don't force
her. Lavish them both with praise, attention, and
treats. You want them to think that good things happen
when the other pet is around. Ask the dog to sit, lie
down, and perform any other commands he knows, praising
and rewarding him whenever he focuses on you and not the
cat.
Keep practicing this step until the cat doesn't seem
frightened and the dog doesn't seem overly excited.
Again, ask the dog to obey some commands, rewarding him for focusing on you rather than on the cat.
Some cats will hiss and swipe at a curious or obnoxious dog to warn him, "Back off!" That's actually a better response than running away, which often triggers the dog to take off after her.
If the cat flees and your dog starts to chase her, grab
the leash, firmly tell your dog, "No" or "Leave it," and
ask him to sit. If he returns his attention to you, give
him a food reward--a really tasty one--for his
restraint.
Once your dog and cat seem fairly comfortable in each other's company, you can let them roam around together when you're home. But to keep the peace, it's wise to separate them in different areas of the house when you go out until you're very, very sure they'll get along. Some experts recommend making this a permanent policy, to keep all the pets safe.
Bottom line: Many dogs and cats can coexist peacefully, but you'll keep everyone safe and make life much less stressful if you plan carefully when looking for a new pet, and introduce the newcomer slowly and carefully.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, it wasn't meant to be. Some dogs are simply too dangerous to be around cats (occasionally the reverse is true). If your gut is telling you that this isn't working out, respect that message. The humane thing to do in this case is contact the shelter or breeder so that you can find a good cat-free home for the dog. In the interim, keep dog and cat separated and give them both lots of love.
Dogs and cats can usually live together peacefully, although creating a harmonious "blended family" requires some planning, patience, and careful guidance on your part. In some cases your dog and cat will become best friends. Some dogs unfortunately will be too dangerous for your cat, and one of the most important points of this article is that you need to recognize when this is the case.
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