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Responsible Breeder of Champion Alaskan Malamutes. Outstanding health , temperament and representatives of the breed for 5 generations and counting , Exceptional Puppies for Family Companions | |||||
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At one time or another, every owner has to
deal with problem behavior. Understanding
why your dog does what he does, and how to
handle the situation correctly can help resolve
problems quickly.
Here are some basic guidelines that apply
to nearly all problem situations:
Control the dog and you control the situation.
By putting on a training collar and lead,
you can control the dog. For many dogs, their
training equipment means business, not playtime,
and this can help in a problem situation.
A dog who is on lead cannot run away or chase
people or other animals, and his owner has
a chance to help him understand what he should
do by guiding him with the leash and collar.
Be positive. Instead of saying "NO",
try giving your dog something positive that
he can do for you, such as "Sit",
or "Heel". This positive approach
means you can praise generously for his good
actions, instead of simply yelling at him.
For example, a dog who jumps up can be told
to sit, and helped if necessary, then praised
for sitting.
Allow a dog to be a dog. Often, what owners
consider problem behavior is simply normal
dog behavior that they find unpleasant or
annoying. For example, digging is a natural
canine activity but distressing to a garden
proud owner. Instead of scolding for what
comes naturally, it might be kinder to set
up an area in which you have buried small
treats to make it more attractive than the
rest of the yard, and praising your dog for
digging in "his" garden.
Whenever natural behaviors conflict with
what you might like, be creative and see
if you can find an outlet for those interests
and activities that is suitable for you both.
Be consistent. It is unfair to the dog to
change your rules depending on what you're
wearing, who's visiting or the kind of day
you've had. If your dog is allowed on the
furniture, he will be confused when you yell
at him because Aunt Bess is visiting and
she doesn't think dogs should sit in chairs!
If he's allowed to jump up when you're wearing
jeans and a sweatshirt, don't be surprised
if he can't tell the difference between that
and your best evening gown. Whatever your
rules are, keep them consistent.
Have your dog earn what he wants. While everyone
needs a few freebies now and then, your dog
will not think you are a wonderful owner
if you play with him, walk him, feed him
and pet him whenever he demands it. In fact,
this often creates problems since from the
dog's point of view an owner who can be "trained"
this well is not one who deserves much respect.
Teach your dog to say "please"
by sitting, laying down or following some
other command before he gets what he wants.
Be clear. Owners often confuse dogs by changing
the words or commands, repeating them over
and over again without showing the dog what
is meant, and worst of all, assuming that
the dog understands.
When in doubt, gently show your dog physically
exactly what you mean, giving the command
at the same time so that he can associate
the two. Use clear, matter of fact commands
when addressing your dog, and be sure that
your praising tone is excited, enthusiastic
and upbeat.
Remember that while we use words to communicate,
dogs are masters of reading body language.
If your body language tells the dog one thing,
but your voice tells the dog something else,
chances are he will believe your body language.
This is why people who bend towards their
dog and shake a finger at them while scolding
"No, no, no" often receive a playful
bark - their body posture is much more like
a dog inviting play than a dog who is annoyed
or angry.
Exercise, exercise, exercise! The most common
cause of problem behavior is boredom and
a lack of sufficient exercise. While you
work or go out, your dog has little or nothing
to do, and his need to exercise will not
go away. A familiar yard or house is boring,
and few dogs exercise on their own without
interaction with their owners. Take the time
to play with your dog, jog with him, walk
in the woods, swim or take long brisk walks
each day. A tired dog is always a well behaved
dog!
Provide mental stimulation. Dr. Roger Abrante's
suggestions regarding using 1/3 of your dog's
diet for treats to be earned during training,
1/3 to be given as usual in a food bowl,
and 1/3 to be "hunted" (try a Buster
Cube, an ingenious toy which the dog must
persistently work with to receive a few kibble
at a time. Even a border collie will be amused
by this for hours! Buster Cubes are available
from your local pet store or from DogWise.com.)
This "home alone" 1/3-1/3-1/3 program
helps your dog expend some energy and provides
much needed stimulation.
Understand your dog's genetic heritage. Whether
you own a Doberman or a Beagle, a Samoyed
or a Westie, it is important to understand
what your dog was bred to do. Owners often
forget that the behavior that prompts a dog
to run or stay close, hunt or guard, chase
and kill or herd, work with people or work
independently are all the result of generations
of carefully selected traits. Research your
breed's history, and talk to people who understand
your breed's characteristics. You may find
that Rover's tendencies, while annoying or
amusing, are precisely what makes him what
he is. You can then decide how best to work
with your dog's instincts and where you need
to concentrate training efforts.
Train your dog. Every dog should have basic
manners, but dogs are not born knowing how
to behave. Take the time to train your dog
on a consistent basis using kind, positive
methods. Find a class near you whose methods
and philosophies you like. If faced with
a behavior problem you can't solve, ask people
you trust for a recommendation of an experienced
trainer and get professional help fast. The
sooner you begin working on a problem the
sooner you will have it solved.