How to Get Your Dog to

Destructive behavior in dogs happens on occasion, but should not be a normal state of being. Dogs often participate in unacceptable behaviors out of boredom, anxiety, or from frustrated tendencies. An under-stimulated dog may resort to barking, biting, chewing, or a variety of other bad behaviors as an outlet. It is important to stop these types of behaviors before they become second nature to the dog. Provide your pet with consistent obedience training, as well as daily exercise and attention to encourage good behavior. Learn more about common bad behaviors in dogs and how to stop them.

1. How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking

The key to teaching your dog to stop barking on command is consistency in training methods. Never yell at the dog to be quiet and keep training sessions positive and upbeat. The best way to stop excessive barking is to remove the potential source of the behavior. It is also helpful to give the dog outlets for its energy.

• Make sure that the dog gets daily exercise so there is not so much pent-up energy.
• Never comfort, feed, or pet a dog that is barking out of anxiety or attention – this is rewarding a bad behavior.
• Avoid leaving a dog in a crate or alone for extended periods of time.
• Yelling at a dog never helps the problem and can actually make the behavior worse.
• Practice basic commands with the dog, such as sit or lay down, in order to shift her focus from barking onto your commands.
• Avoid harsh punishments, such as shock collars, which can be painful, and many dogs learn how to work around them

2. How to Get Your Dog to Stop Biting

Biting and nipping is common among many breeds of dogs and especially puppies. While this behavior may start as a bit of fun, it needs to be controlled immediately or the biting can cause damage once the dog becomes older. Puppies can be trained to minimize their biting, even during the teething stage. The sooner you begin to educate your dog on what is and isn’t allowed regarding behavior, the sooner the biting will cease.

• Bite inhibition and puppy socializing go hand-in-hand.
• Always encourage positive behavior by the dog and discourage unacceptable behavior. Do not give a dog that is biting or nipping any positive behavior.
• If you are trying to teach a puppy not to bite, do not wrestle, play tug of war, or any other type of game that encourages biting.
• Clearly communicate with the dog that biting is unacceptable; don’t just expect the dog to know this.
• Some dogs result to biting as a way to show their dominance. If this is the case, you must establish your position as the dominate one in the owner-dog relationship.
• Redirect the dog to a chew toy or bone and sternly say “No!” when the dog tries to bite or nip a person.
• In some cases, making the dog think that he hurt you by letting out an “ouch!” can help. Puppies often yelp as a way to let the other dog know that it is hurt.

3. How to Get Your Dog to Stop Chewing

Many dog owners often experience a time when their dog has chewed or destroyed a toy, furniture, or other household item. Puppies often go through a chewing stage and this natural behavior is acceptable. The real problems arise when the chewing is done on expensive or dangerous items. It’s typically easier to prevent a chewing problem than to extinguish an established habit, but with consistency, it is possible.

• Puppy-proof your house and pick up anything you do not want your dog to chew. Always keep expensive and dangerous items put away.
• Provide your dog with a variety of chew toys and bones. Make it clear that if the dog wants to chew, he must chew on a toy.
• Keep the dog confined to one room or in a crate when you are not around to watch him carefully. Be sure that this area also has chew toys.
• Give your dog a sufficient amount of exercise, both mental and physical, when you are at home to use up excess energy.
• If you catch your dog in the act of chewing, always give a firm “No!” and replace the item he is chewing with a chew toy. Praise the dog as he begins to chew the toy. Never discipline after the fact, only as it is happening.

Bad behaviors in dogs, such as barking, biting, and chewing, can make dog ownership more of a chore than a joy. While breaking a dog of its bad behaviors isn’t always easy, it’s a must for any good dog owner. The tips mentioned above are key to raising a well-behaved dog.

This weekend I found out that my babies are mousers.  They work together hunting mice (who are waking up for the spring, I guess) and watching them hunt in tandem is quite fascinating.  Lots of tail wagging and quick movements, paw digging, and then it happens.  Rodrigo backs away and there’s something squirming in his mouth.  A quick snap of his head and the squirming stops.  Sydney is standing there, watching Rodrigo with a smug, proud look.  They did good.  That mouse didn’t stand a chance.  This is their land and they will kill to protect it; or just for fun.

The following thoughts and feelings run through my head in matter of seconds…

Pride | Look at how quickly my babies captured that mouse

Creepiness | They killed that teeny mouse and don’t have an ounce of remorse

Gross | I’ve let them lick my face

Panic | Is he going to eat it?

That’s when I snap out, walk with purpose to Rodrigo, point to the ground and firmly say “Drop It, Rodrigo.”  And he drops the mouse.    We have a few stamped down mole hills that are being recycled into mouse graves.  So far there are two.

It’s helpful to be able to 5 commands that our dogs follow well.  Here are 7 things to teach your puppy…

DROP IT – whenever our dogs have something in their mouth that shouldn’t be there, this command lands it into my hand, or with a dead mouse, on the ground.   I made the mistake of confusing “give it to mommy” with a game and whenever I say those words, Rodrigo goes running off, because it means that it’s a game of chase.  So I taught them “drop it” so they would understand when we weren’t playing a game.

GO TO YOUR BLANKET – we give our dogs bully sticks and other chew treats and they make a mess.  So they have blankets that we layout for them to chew and drool on to their hearts delight.  The blankets protect our furniture and carpet.  The bonus of this command is that when we have guests or need the dogs to settle down, we direct them to “got to your blanket” and done!

 Things to Teach Your Puppy

Kimberly Gauthier, a perpetually happy person, lives with her amazing guy, their spoiled dogs and cats, and loves dog rescue, photography, reading, and laughing. She’s the author of three blogs, sharing tips and tricks about photography, blogging, and The Fur Mom.

Destructive Dog Chewing

Most people who have ever owned a dog, especially a puppy, will know how they can easily wreak havoc with their teeth. Whether you own a teething puppy, energetic juvenile or behavioral adult, you may have experienced the damage that destructive dog chewing can cause. Many things can lead to destructive dog chewing, from separation anxiety to a thunderstorm phobia. Some dogs chew out of boredom. Fortunately, there are several things pet owners can do to combat destructive dog chewing in their home.

Offer Toys

Give your dog an outlet for his chewing problem. Provide several chew toys for your pet that are safe for the chewing habits of the particular breed. Dog toys should have a variety of textures and be of various sizes and shapes to meet the dogs chewing needs. Many dogs enjoy chew toys that also dispense food, such as a Kong, which can be filled with peanut butter, canned dog food, ground raw meats, or other foods to keep the dog busy.

Provide a Safe Area

When you are not able to supervise your dog, it’s ideal to offer a safe place for the dog to rest. Put the dog into a comfortable crate to prevent the dog from causing destruction. Avoid putting the dog in a room behind a door or gate, as this often leads to other forms of destruction, such as clawing the flooring at the base of the door.

Chew Spray

Many pet owners have success with the use of dog chew sprays. Bitter apple sprays and similar products have been around for a long time and are not harmful to dogs that ingest it. It also does not stain most surfaces. This training tool is easy to use and since it’s alcohol-based, it evaporates quickly. Spray the anti-chewing product on the area in which the dog chews most often up to four times per day. Keep dog toys in the same area to direct their attention away from these areas.

Destructive dog chewing occurs in all breeds and ages of dogs. It is natural for a dog to chew, but important to have it chew the right items in your home. Dogs require consistent training to stop the destructive behavior. The destructive chewing stage can last for several weeks to several years, but typically ends by the time the dog is two years old. Until then, directing the puppy or dog to appropriate toys and trying other simple methods can help minimize the destruction.

Photograph taken by Kimberly Gauthier

Our dogs are litter mate puppies and they’re adorable.  They turned 2 years old in March and I can’t believe how huge they are; especially when I say “give it to mommy.”  When dogs are puppies, it’s so easy to train the wrong things.  They’re cute and the level of damage they can do is minimal (well, it was with our dogs).  I think dog training and bad habits go hand in hand if we’re not careful.  When Rodrigo was 10 pounds and I would say “give it to mommy” and chase his little puppy body around the house trying to steal his toy, it was fun and funny and adorable.

Photograph taken by Kimberly Gauthier

Today, Rodrigo is 70+ pounds.  Can you imagine what “give it to mommy” looks like today?  We still play the game and he loves it, but we’ve had to train him to let go of things when we needed it and as you can guess “give it to mommy” doesn’t work.  He also understands “drop it.”  The game I taught him as a puppy made it difficult for him to understand fetch.  He has just figured out that if he returns the frisbee, we’ll throw it again.  It took patience and training treats.

What’s cute when they’re puppies isn’t always convenient when they’re grown up.  Instead of breaking our dogs from bad habits that we trained, we were challenged to train them (and ourselves) to learn new behaviors.

If you trained your puppy to jump when they see you, grab the leash on walks, or runaway with toys, don’t fret; it’s entirely possible to train them to do what you need.  It just takes patience and training treats.

Introducing a New Dog

While many dogs can learn to accept and grow to love the company of their canine housemates, it’s natural for a dog to become aggressive or jealous when a new dog enters his territory. Dogs are pack animals and their genetic pack instinct is often triggered when an unfamiliar dog enters their home – causing them to initiate rank drive. Many owners are often shocked and confused when they see their naturally lovable dog enter an unusual level of aggression. To prevent fights and incompatibility problems between the resident dog and the new dog, there are several things you can do.

Consider Sex and Age of Each Dog

In general, a dog will get along better with a dog of the opposite sex. If you plan to introduce your resident dog to a new dog of the same sex, it’s best to get the resident dog sprayed or neutered prior to introduction. Spaying and neutering typically only works to reduce dominant behavior if performed before a certain age – usually 6 to 8 months of age. Adult dogs will usually tolerate a puppy over another adult dog because puppies do not typically challenge the authority of an adult dog.

Set Up an Initial Meeting in Neutral Territory

Dogs are less likely to initiate aggressive or dominate behavior if introduced in a neutral territory. It may be ideal to have both dogs meet at a local dog part or at a friend’s house in a fenced-in yard. Each dog should be leashed and allowed to observe one another. Leave a decent amount of space between the dogs so that they do not feel overcrowded and can relax. Once the dogs seem comfortable with one another, allow them to interact without the leashes and always praise them for good behavior.

Introducing a New Dog

Keep a Positive and Non-Emotional Attitude

When a new dog is introduced to a resident dog, it’s important to maintain a non-emotional attitude. Dogs can pick up on fear and will know if you are feeling concerned and may associate the change of emotions on the new dog. As the two dogs are interacting, speak in a calm, friendly manner to positively reinforce their positive interaction. The goal is to make both dogs feel good when they are in each other’s presence. Never leave the dogs alone during a first introduction to avoid dog fighting.

Reinforce the Established Pack Order

When introducing two dogs, it’s best to allow them to establish their own pack order. While the older dog commonly takes the place as the most dominate, this is not always the case and a younger dog may become more dominate. Reinforce the established pack order as much as possible. The dog that is higher in the pack should be fed meals and given treats before the second dog. It’s never a good idea to adopt a sympathetic attitude towards the lower-ranked dog, especially towards the beginning of the relationship, as this can destroy the unity and could lead to a dog fight or aggressive behavior.

Introducing a new dog to a household with a resident dog can cause some initial friction. There will be a period of adjustment for both the animals and their owners, but with patience and a sense of control over both dogs, the introduction could be the start of a wonderful new relationship.

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All images provided were taken by Kimberly Gauthier, Keep the Tail Wagging

We started taking our dogs to the Strawberry Fields dog park as soon as our veterinarian gave the okay, because we wanted to socialize our dogs.  Rodrigo loved the first visit; it took Sydney a little longer to warm up to the idea of other dogs sniffing her (back there).  The dog park has been a fantastic place to socialize our dogs while providing them some much needed play and excise time.

The dog park is a great place to allow dogs to be dogs.

What I didn’t expect was all that I’ve learned by going to the dog park regularly.  I received a crash course in dog behavior, learning the different growls, knowing the signs of aggression, and knowing how to keep an eye on two dogs in a sea a dogs.  And I was able to connect with other local dog owners.

Socialize our Dogs

You don’t always have to go to a dog park for socialization.  This is the choice we made for our dogs.  You can also start socializing your dog by…

• Planning play dates with friends; invite your friends and their dogs over and watch them go wild.
• Invite friends over to interact with the dogs; this is also a great way to start teaching your dog how to behave with guests.
• Go on a walk in an area where you’re going to cross paths with people and their pooches, like a park or a biking trail.

Rodrigo was only 9 weeks old when I took this picture, too young for the dog park, but old enough to play with a friend’s 10 week old Mastiff sweetie.  We learned right away that Rodrigo was great with other dogs.

Exercise

Our dogs are Cattle Dog mix, a herding breed.  They are full of energy and love to play fetch in the yard.  But nothing compares to an hour or so at the dog park.  The humans stand around and watch dogs running around 5 acres, excited about the hours of peace we’ll receive as they sleep the afternoon away at home.

If your dog is suffering from arthritis or another joint condition, speak to your veterinarian about your options.  One of our dogs developed arthritis at a young age, today it’s hard to believe that he had trouble walking less than 6 months ago.

Learn About Dog Behavior

What I love about taking our dogs to the dog park is that they are allowed to be dogs.  They get to jump, growl, roll around, bark, and run around like little maniacs.  Our dogs are expected to be respectful and quiet in the house, but at the dog park they can go nuts.

The dog park visits has been an opportunity for me to learn how dogs interact with one another.  I no longer worry when I hear growling or barking.  I can spot the signs of aggression in other dogs.

This is an older Rodrigo who was now a regular at the dog park.

Create a Dog Park Tribe (or Club)

The friends I’ve made are another benefit of going to the dog park regularly.  We’re a big group of happy humans with boistourous dogs and we make plans daily to go to the dog park.  Not all of us attend everyday, but it’s nice to know that when we take our dogs to the park, we’ll be meeting with friends.

Another benefit to joining a dog park tribe is that we get to know each others dogs really well; I don’t worry about our dogs being bullied or hurt, because they’re playing with dogs that are well trained and fun.

If you have a dog park in your area, I encourage you to go as soon as your dog is ready.  If you’re not 100% sure when you get there, then walk around the perimeter, keeping a fence between your dog and the dogs in the park.  This allows them to sniff in comfort.  If you’re dog is ready to go, then what are you waiting for?  Load your dog up and go make some friends; the two legged and the four legged kind.

Kimberly Gauthier is the author of the blog Keep the Tail Wagging and the fur mom of two litter-mate puppies, Rodrigo and Sydney.

SPRING WARM-UP:

Acupressure Strengthening

There is something in the air.  The chill of winter is giving-way to softer, warmer days.  Dogs are happy to be outside watching their world come alive again with birds, squirrels and leaves. You can watch your dog is starting to stretch and strengthen their legs as if they know in their being what the physical demands of the new season will bring.

Younger dogs get out there and energetically move their bodies and start the building of muscle, enhancing the flexibility of tendons and ligament while their lubricating joints. Keep in mind, the more senior the dog, the more support an encouragement we need to offer in preparation for spring and summer to come.

As you gradually and consistently increase the dog’s exercise level, you can combine it with an acupressure session to have the optimal effect for his physical well-being. Remember to work with your dogs on uneven terrain so that they build rounded muscles and tendons that are suited for the activities they will be encountering over the summer.

A Spring Warm-up Acupressure Session can be used for any age dog, though they are especially good for older dogs to enhance the suppleness of their tendons, ligaments and muscles.  These sessions will help avoid early-season injuries while the dog is building his strength.  You and your dog can enjoy the spring with all its promise of healthy, active months of fun.

  Acupressure for dogs

Tall grass Animal Acupressure Institute

http://www.animalacupressure.com

Tallgrass@animalacupressure.com

Spring has sprung! I’m pretty sure … And if you’ve been locked-up indoors with a new puppy…. Now is the time you might want to consider taking a training course or hiring a trainer. When you first got your puppy, your main concerns were about housebreaking and then the biting .. Oh the biting !! But once you got the housebreaking and biting under control. The next thing you know, you have a teenager on your hands and this is the time when you really need training!

I’m not 100% sure what the actual stats are but I can tell you from my own personal experience that a majority of the dogs in shelters today are somewhere between the ages of 8 – 18 months…. And the reason is because dog’s at this age/stage have been considered way too unruly and too much for their owner’s to handle. This is why training is so vital at this stage of a dog’s life. I would even argue to start at puppyhood and keep with it.

So now what? You need to go out and find a class or a trainer, who you feel will work well with you & your dog. Start by asking friends and family who have dogs and what classes they attended or if they know of any good trainers. You can also do a Google search as well for your neighborhood.

Once you have found the trainer or the class you will also need to understand that it takes about a year for you to have a well behaved dog (which means a dog that knows sit-stays, down-stays, recalls from inside and outside your home, and unwanted behaviors under control i.e barking, jumping, nipping). Thus my friends training doesn’t happen overnight and you might want to look at it more like it’s a practice – much like yoga.

Finally and most importantly, you need to make it fun for both you and your dog! If it’s not fun who wants to do it? We as dog owners get so much joy and pleasure out of watching our dogs doing something that they love to do! …. So why not make training something they love to do. Every dog was bred to do something whether it’s herding, hunting or staying on your lap …it’s still a job and training can be their new job!  Dog training doesn’t need you to commit to it for hours upon hours… it can just take 10 mins a day or more if you like .. It’s your call…. but like any relationship the more you put into it the more you will get out of it!

Don’t make dog training a should-do … Make it a fun-do!

 Thanks for reading  Have fun and keep training!

Sue-Ellen McIntyre
Owner of savvysnoots dog training
www.savvysnootsdogtraining.com

A lot of people love to have dogs with them. But when these cute little puppies have created a problem at home, some of these dog owners do not know what to do. Well, it is important for any dog owner to train the puppies as early as possible. Their behavior is sometimes unacceptable to humans hence; puppies need to be trained in a way that their behavior will be minimized and will not create chaos.
We need to know that there are puppies who can easily grasp the training while there are others who are left behind a bit. If you think your puppy falls on the second category, do not be discouraged right away. You need to have a lot of patience and perseverance in order for you to successfully train your puppy. By applying the right techniques as well as the right attitude, surely, your dog will behave properly whether you brought him inside or outside the house.

Before I will be revealing tips on how to house train you puppy, it is important to take note that dogs are pack animals. They are territorial and they do not want anyone including people to invade their space. Aside from that, they follow the commands of their pack leader. Owners should assert their selves as the pack leader who is responsible for their food, hygiene and behavior. All in all, consistency and fair leadership should be remembered because it is the key towards a successful training.
Buying a Dog Crate

It is necessary for a puppy to have his own crate. This serves as his comfort zone, an area where he rest and sleep. Although some puppies pee or poop anywhere, they always keep their crate clean. Thus, owners should be able to provide a crate that the puppy will love to dwell on. Adding to that, putting the puppy to his crate should not be in a form of punishment whenever mistakes are committed. It will be a lot easier to put the puppy to his crate when he loves to be on it. So do not be cruel to your puppy rather; always impose authority in a good way.
When buying a crate for your puppy, always consider the size of it. It should accommodate your dog when he is fully grown and it should have dividers so that you are assured that your puppy will not pee or poop in his sleeping area. Always maintain the crate as an area where the puppy feels security and comfort.

The Dog Food

Feeding the dog should be done on a specific time. You have to set the number of meals that he ought to consume every day and this should be done consistently. You can place it near his crate together with his toys. Choose the food that will not create any health problem on your puppy and ask recommendations from your veterinarian. It is important to let him consume healthy foods only and appropriate diet should be imposed all the time.

The Puppy’s Peeing Spot

As a pack leader and owner of the dog, it is necessary to determine the right place where he could pee. The backyard is the perfect place for the puppy to pee but it should be accessible on his part. Aside from that, the place should not upset anyone including the neighbor. It should be cleaned regularly so that it will create a bad scent.
To establish the puppy’s peeing routine, you need to consistently bring the puppy to that area. Know that puppies pee frequently and they have low urine retention. They need to pee for 10 to 12 times per day so you have to bring him to that area with at least 2 hours interval. This means that it is your responsibility to wake up at the middle of the night just to let the puppy pee at the right place. Meanwhile, you also have to be sensitive with the puppy’s body language before he pees. There are some puppies that sniff, go round in circles, or stand with the rear leg. So try to be alert when he is doing these activities as this may signal that he wants to pee.

Training the Puppy to Poop

It is very helpful to train the puppy to poop whenever you command him to do so. You can make use of a phrase like “go poop” or whatever you prefer. Making this as a signal will enable the puppy defecate at the right time and at the appropriate spot. Thus, the puppy will not create a mess inside or outside the house. When this is successfully done, make sure to cuddle the puppy and give him a food treat so that he will be doing it again and again.
Mistakes usually happen on the first few weeks of training but never punish the puppy. Praise his appropriate behavior and immediately clean up the mess he created. Use a cleaning product that will leave no odor in order for the puppy not to defecate on that area again.

Points to Remember in House Training your Puppy and Click here if you prefer to get this done by a professional  dog trainers
1. Select the best diet for your dog. It should be healthy in order for him to keep away from diseases.
2. Food treats should be given whenever your commands are executed properly with your puppy. Example of it is when your puppy goes to his crate.
3. Praise your puppy when he pees and poops on the right place. Reinforcing his good behavior will let him do it again.
4. Be consistent with your commands.
5. Walk with him outside or play with him. Dogs need to exercise as well.

Proper Correction

Puppies usually exhibit a bad behavior and it needs to be corrected by verbally awareness, not through a physical harm. However, scolding should only be done as soon as you catch him doing it. This will let him know that he is not doing the right thing. Dogs do not have the capacity to comprehend on what you are saying that is why it is important to catch the puppy in the act so that scolding will be effective.
Dog owners need to have a lot of patience in training the dog especially when it comes to peeing and pooping. The mess should be cleaned properly and the dog should be trained to do it on your selected area. Be consistent with everything so that the dog will not be confused and he will be able to execute the right thing.

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How to Train a Dog | Puppy Training