Welcome to dog behaviour
Dog Behaviour Advice Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Dog Behaviour Advice. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Choosing Dog Training Methods
from:Before choosing a particular training method, carefully examine the technique to ensure that it will communicate proper associations. Certain methods may not communicate what you intend. A dog aggressive Akita was enrolled in a training program that his owner thought was reputable. The trainer convinced the owner that the only way to break the Akita of aggression toward other dogs was to let a more dominant dog put him in his place. The trainer's dog displayed dominance toward other dogs, so she placed him in a room with the Akita and left the two dogs to work things out. When the trainer heard a window crashing, she opened the door to find that her dog was injured, and the Akita had been richly rewarded for his aggressive behavior with a nice victory under his collar.
If this method does not make sense to you, it probably won't make sense to the dog, either. One trainer sent around a flyer giving free advice to the general public on how to stop dogs from digging. The trainer suggested filling the newly dug hole with water and taking the dog over to the hole by the scruff of the neck to dunk his head in the water filled hole. The next sentence on this flyer cautioned the owner that the dunking probably would not stop the dog from digging; instead, forcing the dog down to the water by the scruff of the neck was a demonstration of dominance, a root cure all for problem behavior. The trainer thought through the method far enough to figure out that the water would have no effect on future digging. Unfortunately, he did not explain that the dog would learn to mistrust his owner for trying to drown him. Shortly after this flyer was distributed, another trainer was indicted for animal abuse for employing this very correction technique.
Occasionally, even thinking through a method does not result in a clear understanding of how it works. One day a fellow drove up to class in a pickup with his dog in the back. The dog trainer explained to him that it was very dangerous to have the dog in the back of an open pickup. He went through the normal lecture on how the dog's nose and eyes could be damaged from debris in the air, the danger of the dog being thrown out of the truck in an accident, etc. The fellow proudly said, "I fixed the dog from jumping out of the truck. He was jumping out and I would throw him back in. We did this for five or six times when I finally got really mad and threw him in the truck for the seventh time and stuffed a piece of horse manure in his mouth for good measure. After that the dog never jumped out again, and the next time he does something bad, I am going to use that manure trick again."
It was really hard to determine if the dog stopped jumping out of the truck because he got tired of being thrown back in, or if he was grateful for the gourmet horse manure treat. If you are not sure about exactly how or why a method works, it is probably best to avoid the technique altogether. Even the most popular methods use techniques that may not be suited for every breed or temperament of dog. A trainer who evaluates each method based on the efficacy of the associations and motivators will be better equipped to match the appropriate obedience method with the dog's individual temperament.
When Your Dog Runs Away
A dog that runs away from home has somewhere to go It is quite amazing that in most cases the owners cannot tell where their dog goes The usual answer is, "Just out in the neighborhood to see the other dogs or something" These dogs have a definite objective in mind and usually cover the same route during each journey Why is that route or objectives more appealing than his home environment.....More on Dog Behaviour Aggressive
Dog Carsickness
While car sickness is not considered a behavioral problem, it sure is something that is just as important to deal with as any type of other issue with your dog Having to clean up your dogand#39;s mess with every car ride is not fun at all A dog that gets carsick is a genuine victim of motion sickness (rare in dogs), a leader type animal that becomes ill as a psychosomatic response to its inabi.....More on Dog Behaviour Aggressive
Choosing Dog Training Methods
Before choosing a particular training method, carefully examine the technique to ensure that it will communicate proper associations Certain methods may not communicate what you intend A dog aggressive Akita was enrolled in a training program that his owner thought was reputable The trainer convinced the owner that the only way to break the Akita of aggression toward other dogs was to let a .....More on Dog Behaviour Aggressive
Using Caution When Dealing With Fighting Problems
What is in the dogand#39;s mind when it attacks every dog it meets or just has one enemy around the corner Most of it is show of strength, very often a cowardly show of strength aimed at other peopleand#39;s toy dogs who canand#39;t answer a bully back Face that same bully with a big dog likely to answer back and it will disappear into the distance, for the dog knows who will be boss even in its own race, and i.....More on Dog Behaviour Aggressive
How To Help Your Dogs Storm Phobias
Many dogs that fear storm activity also fear other sharp percussive noises, such as gunfire, exploding balloons, or low frequency sounds from a sound system capable of rattling the windows Because storm noises originate outdoors, any attempts to simulate storm noises or other loud sounds should originate there These can be tested and used with a routine which involves a single hand clap, follo.....More on Dog Behaviour Aggressive
Dog Behaviour Advice Specific links
Dog Behaviour Advice News
Advice for Pet Owners - Washington Post
 Washington Post | Advice for Pet Owners Washington Post, United States - She will be online Wednesday, November 26 at 1 pm ET to take questions on dog training and behavior. Please join us again next Wednesday for another ... Advice for Pet Owners |
Miss Lonelyhearts - Nov. 30 - Winnipeg Sun
Miss Lonelyhearts - Nov. 30 Winnipeg Sun, Canada - I have to strongly disagree with your advice to Attacked By My Mate (the guy who's upset his wife won't follow his lead and let him be alpha dog). ... |
Jaitley snubs Naqvi for Mumbai remark - Economic Times
Jaitley snubs Naqvi for Mumbai remark Economic Times, India - Adding salt to the grieved family’s wounds, the Kerala chief minister said: ``A soldier’s father should have displayed better behaviour. ... |
Owning and Loving Your Dog - Dog Channel
 Dog Channel | Owning and Loving Your Dog Dog Channel, CA - ... healthcare, and grooming – to emotional health – bonding activities and interpreting your dogs’ behavior. Specific advice on topics like matching a dog ... |
Experts Offer White House Dog Search Advice - News10.net
 Sky News | Experts Offer White House Dog Search Advice News10.net, CA - According to Obama, the criteria for the first family dog is one that is "hypoallergenic" and preferably one from an animal shelter. ... What will be the next White House dog? |
Advice for Pet Owners - Washington Post
 Washington Post | Advice for Pet Owners Washington Post, United States - Dr. Shawn Messonnier: My best advice is to contact a veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior. A trainer will not be sufficient for this problem. ... |
Lying on Your Job Application Easy, But Very Hazardous - The Ledger
Lying on Your Job Application Easy, But Very Hazardous The Ledger, FL - Today she works as a dog trainer. But the panic attacks are gone, and she recounted her story in a new book, "Phony! How I Faked My Way Through Life" ... |