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| “Control the dog and you control the situation.” CP Frito and WiiGii show how important it is to have a good lead and harness for training. |
"Understanding why your dog does what he does, and how to handle the situation correctly can help resolve problems quickly." Suzanne Clothier
10 Tips for Problem
Behavior
10 Basic Rules that will Help You Teach
Your Dog More Desirable Behavior
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 [online].) 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.
"Copyright © 2013 by Suzanne Clothier. Used
by permission of Suzanne Clothier. All rights reserved. For more information
about Suzanne please visit SuzanneClothier.com"
Read More Training
Tips from Suzanne Clothier:
Buster Food Cube
