From the monthly archives:

December 2008

Some Common Dog Behavior Problems (Part 1)

by Wayne Booth on December 19, 2008

If you have lived your life with a dog then you have probably encountered some common dog behavior problems at least once or twice. You may have been left wondering why dogs do the things they do. Things like barking, biting, chewing and other ordinary dog behaviors are quite common but they are often misunderstood by dog owners and, consequently, mishandled. On the other hand, perhaps you are new to owning a dog, or you are just in the process of thinking about getting a dog. Maybe you want to learn to better understand your dog’s behavior problems. Understanding the motivations for your dog’s behavior is the first step in learning to modify or prevent the behavior. You can then approach the problems through obedience training to help you prevent and control their behavior problems.

What follows are some common dog behavior problems and the reasons why dogs pursue these behaviors.

1. Dogs Bark

It’s no secret that dogs bark. This behavior takes several forms, from simple barking to howling to whining. It’s when the barking becomes excessive or continuous that it is considered a behavior problem. Before you can solve the problem you need to determine why your dog is barking. The most common reasons for barking are:

Playfulness/Excitement

Seeking Attention

Warning

Anxiety

At different times any of these reasons for barking can be justified. There is nothing inherently wrong in playful barking or even barking for a little attention. But taken to extremes, barking becomes a problem.

To overcome problem barking you will need to learn to control the behavior. You should first teach your dog to bark on command. Then you can teach him to stop barking on command. When your dog barks (which he already knows how to do), say “speak.” Give him praise and encouragement for barking. When he stops barking say “stop” or “enough.” Give him lots more praise. If you repeat this exercise frequently your dog will get the hang of it. But you must be consistent with your commands and your praise. If your dog doesn’t stop barking on his own, try a loud noise to startle him into stopping, such as shaking a can of pennies. Then stay “stop” or “enough” and praise him.

If your dog continues to bark at every squirrel that enters your yard or every leaf that falls you may want to consider a bark collar. But the best thing you could probably do for your dog is to make sure he is getting enough exercise. Many times dogs bark because they are simply feeling good and they’re excited. Let them run off some energy and they will be more inclined to rest at home.

2. Dogs Chew

Most of us know that dogs chew. They chew shoes, remotes and other things left lying around the house. Of course, chewing is perfectly natural for dogs. It only becomes a problem when dogs chew things they aren’t supposed to chew. The most common reasons dogs chew are:

Boredom

Puppy Teething

Anxiety

Curiosity (how does it taste, feel, etc.)

The best thing you can do for your dog is to provide him with his own things to chew on. If he has his own toys and things to chew he is less likely to chew yours. This may not solve the problem completely, but it will help. You will also have to learn to keep some of your more precious personal items out of your dog’s reach, at least while he is in the teething/puppy stage. Puppies do not know all of the house rules yet and they may not be able to tell the difference between their toys and your more expensive toys, such as cell phones and sunglasses. They will make mistakes.

When you have to leave your dog home alone you may want to consider crating him or confining him to one area of your house to limit his access to chewable things. He won’t be able to cause as much destruction this way. If you catch your dog chewing things when you’re home you should correct him by making a sharp noise while he’s in the act to startle him. Most dogs will drop what they’re chewing on instantly. You can then replace whatever he’s chewing on with a more appropriate chew toy.

In some instances dogs have to learn, item by item, what is not acceptable to chew on. Other dogs catch on faster and learn to leave people things alone. But even old timers can have relapses and decide to chew on something valuable.

One of the best things you can do for your dog, for many behavior problems, is to make sure they receive plenty of outdoor exercise. Tired dogs get into much less trouble as a rule.

3. Dogs Dig

Dogs like to dig. It’s an instinct. Some breeds, such as terriers, are natural diggers. It’s part of their hunting background. But all dogs will dig from time to time. Some of the most common reasons are:

Hunting Instinct

Nesting (comfort or cooling off)

Boredom or Excess Energy

Hiding Possessions (bones or toys)

Anxiety or Fear

To Escape or Gain Access

If your dog is digging holes in your yard, or if you’re trying to have a garden and your dog is digging it up, it can be very frustrating. The best advice is to try to find out why your dog is digging. Is he searching for a mole? Is he trying to cool off in the summer? Is he bored? Is he burying something? Is he trying to dig under the fence? Figure out why he’s digging and you can work on fixing the problem, though it may not be easy. Dogs can be quite determined about digging. You may keep filling in holes while your dog is digging new ones.

Spend time outside with your dog to see what he’s doing. Make sure he’s getting plenty of exercise — you don’t want him using digging as his main exercise. If he is determined to dig then you may need to set aside part of the yard where it’s okay for him to dig. Maybe your dog needs a sandbox or a part of the garden for his very own.

4. Dogs can have Separation Anxiety

Many owners believe their dogs have separation anxiety. Whether they do or not is debatable. Many dogs do bark and cry when their owners leave them. They may misbehave in the house and destroy things. But whether they actually have genuine separation anxiety is not clear. Many dogs may simply be very unhappy to see their owners leave and their owners may feel very bad about leaving.

Dogs with genuine separation anxiety usually cannot stand to allow the owner out of their sight even when the owner is home. The dog wants to touch the owner constantly. They may have inappropriate urination and defecation from stress, and they may become destructive from anxiety when the owner leaves them for just a few minutes.

True separation anxiety usually requires treatment from a professional and help from a veterinarian. It takes training, behavior modification and even medication in some cases.

If your dog misbehaves when you leave the house but it is not genuine separation anxiety, you still have problem behavior on your hands. The best thing you can do is try to desensitize your dog to the stress of you leaving the house. Practice leaving the house and returning a few moments later. Pick up your keys and go out the door. Start your car and return to the house. Let your dog get used to the idea that leaving the house is not a big deal. Keep things very positive and up beat. Show your dog that leaving the house without him does not have to be something stressful. Teach him positive behaviors while you’re gone. Make sure he has toys and things to keep him busy while you’re away.

Most dogs don’t want you to leave the house because they’re bored while you’re away. This is not true separation anxiety, which is a psychological condition based in anxiety. Alleviate your dog’s boredom while you’re away from home and you can improve his behavior when you leave the house.

5. Dogs can have Inappropriate Elimination

Inappropriate urination and defecation — housebreaking problems — can be very frustrating for owners. It can make your dog unwelcome in people’s homes, in public places, and of course it can damage your home. Before you do anything else you should consult with your vet to make sure there is not a veterinary reason for the behavior. Your dog could have a health problem that is causing the behavior.

If you rule out a health problem then you can look at behavioral reasons for your dog’s elimination problems. Dogs have inappropriate elimination problems for the following reasons:

Lack of Proper Housebreaking

Submissive or Fear Urination

Anxiety

Attention-seeking

Territorial Marking

Remember that inappropriate elimination is to be expected in puppies, especially before they are three months old. They need time to learn to hold their bladders and they can’t be expected to go very long between potty breaks. Senior dogs can also have problems as they age. But dogs in the prime of life who are having problems with elimination are usually having some kind of behavior problem and you will need to figure out why they are doing what they’re doing before you can overcome the problem.

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When Are You Finished Training Your Dog?

by Wayne Booth on December 9, 2008

This article comes to us from Paul Sulinski of Unleashed Unlimited, a dog training company in Austin, Texas. In addition to their dog training blog, Unleashed Unlimited also offers an online store filled with some unique products for you and your dog. Enjoy the article.

I realize that many peoples’ perceptions of dog training are different then mine. But regardless of the training approach and expectations, training your dog does not end at the conclusion of your 4, 6, or 8 week training program. Whether you realize it or not, your dog is always learning something; it is up to us to make sure they are learning the correct behaviors.

Let’s first decide what is training and when are you training. Yes, training is the formal process of dedicating a certain amount of time to practice and teach your dogs new things, but more importantly it is communication. Because we don’t want our dogs to ace their training lesson and then turn into complete lunatics when the formal session ends, we must realize that training also happens when you are eating dinner, answering the doorbell, walking them, and watching television.

As anyone who has taken part in any training program knows, you are taught to interact with your dog in certain ways. Adding or eliminating body language cues, working your dog through confusion, following through and holding your dog accountable are all parts of what you were taught. Remember, the goal of training your dog is not to have them behave when you are in class with your trainer; the goal of a training program is to have your dog behave in the reality that is your life. Therefore, it is up to you to apply what you and your dog have learned into your daily lives and interactions, it is up to you to continue to practice and implement these things even after your dog has received their diploma.

So to answer the question posed in the title of this entry, you are never completely finished training your dog; there will always be communication based on the rules they were taught. Of course as your dog’s behavior improves and he becomes a well balanced pet, you will not be spending as much time giving instruction. However, in order to keep your dog’s desired behavior current, we do have to always continue to practice, implement and interact with our dogs as taught in class. That means downing them when welcoming someone into your home, keeping them in a heel or at least a slacked leash when walking, and not allowing them to beg at the table - life is all still just one big training exercise.

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Should My Dog Sleep In My Bed?

by Wayne Booth on December 3, 2008

This is a subject I have to address once or twice every week. It can be a very serious problem with some dogs. The role of dogs in our lives has changed a great deal in the last 100 years. There was a time in the United States and many other countries when dogs were not allowed in the house. In your great-grandmother’s day most dogs were outside dogs. They may have slept in the barn or under the porch. Wealthier people kept lap dogs but most farmers and working people had dogs that had to earn their keep in some way. These dogs were expected to do some work, whether it was herding stock, killing rodents, or protecting the farm.

Today most dogs are kept as pets. Instead of having jobs to do our dogs have become virtual family members. We love our dogs so much that this is not surprising. But it is sometimes confusing for a dog. Instead of having a well-defined role in the household as a dog, your dog is caught somewhere between being a dog, a pet and an almost-human. When this happens your dog can begin to challenge you and show aggression because he doesn’t respect your role as leader.

Many people routinely allow their dogs to sleep in the same bed with them today. Is this a good idea or not? There are millions of dogs who sleep in the bed with their owners and it never results in a problem. However, experienced dog trainers point out that in cases where a dog does begin to show aggression toward family members the dog almost invariably is sleeping in the owner’s bed. In these cases, when the dog begins showing aggression toward family members, the dog MUST be kept out of the bed.

The reason for this is simple psychology. You have to return to basics with your dog. You have to remind your dog that he is a dog and you are the leader in your home. Sleeping in the bed with you is a privilege. It is not something that he, as a dog, is entitled to without your permission.

Along with removing his bed privileges you will need to take away other privileges from your dog to lower his status. He will need to wait to eat until after you have eaten. He should not enter rooms before you do, for example. If your dog is showing signs of aggression to you or other family members he is probably asserting himself over you in many small ways in the house. You will need to reassert yourself.

Don’t try to force an issue in a way that could put you in any danger. But in small ways, in interacting with your dog throughout the day, do things to remind him that you are in charge. Teach your dog some obedience lessons. Teach him to sit before feeding him. Teach him to sit at the door before letting him go out. All of these small lessons remind your dog that he is dependent on you for all the good things in his life. They help you re-establish your authority.

Keep in mind that you should not try to take a toy or food away from your dog, especially if he is having problems with aggression. Your dog may have issues with giving things up or with guarding things.

If you think that your dog’s aggression presents a danger or if making these small changes does not help, don’t hesitate to seek out a professional dog trainer. Aggression can be a serious problem and may need more help.

Remember, if your dog does begin to show aggression toward you or other family members make a bed for him on the floor or in his crate and do not let him sleep in your bed for the time being. He will need to be reminded of his role in the household. The mere physical position of him on the floor and you up higher, in the bed, makes your point.

There is no rule that says you have to allow your dog to sleep in your bed. Many longtime, devoted dog owners have dog beds in their bedroom or have their dogs sleeping in crates in the house. What’s most important is that you and your dog have a comfortable relationship that fits your lifestyle.

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