Dogs just want to be with us, they want to be appreciated, they want to feel secure and they love to play, have fun, hang out with friends and eat (good) food. They are very much like people. They love nothing more than to be with their people.
But, sometimes our perfectly well trained pets have behavioral problems which send us back to the training manuals. There is always a reason for these problems which can be separation anxiety, housebreaking issues, destructive behavior and aggression..
Here are some training tips to try:
Separation Anxiety
This is a very common problem for many dogs especially when a routine has been broken. They need a steady and regular routine. When people leave or depart from the norm ie. extended work, vacations, the animal can become inconsolable, agitated, fearful, anxious, develop chronic barking and even destructive. Separation anxiety is most common in dogs that have been previously abandoned. As well some form intense emotional connections to their people. It is a a problem in that your pet loses control and suffers major anxiety.
Training tip-start by desensitizing absences. Begin by leaving for very short periods, ie. minutes. Come back greeting him calmly and happily. Few hours later, leave again for a few minutes, come back. Keep extending the time you leave each time during the day bit by bit. Always act calm and pleasant when you return. Try not to act overly emotional about coming and going as they will pick up on your emotions and you may worsen the problem. Some trainers suggest completely ignoring your dog for 10 minutes before and when returning. Leave quietly (but do not sneak out), arrive excitedly. This should send a message that your coming and going is no cause for alarm.
Bathroom Issues
Puppies need potty training just like children, but when an adult animal suddenly has lapses or he cannot grasp it after a few months, than you need to rule out health issues. Once that has been ruled out, you need to go back to some basic training. Some of the reasons why the lapse or lack of grasping can be:
It is wet or cold outside, lack of boundaries, doesn't understand the rules/how to ask or get the attention to be let out. Sometimes they have gotten away with it several times before so they feel that it is acceptable.
Training tip-you may have to start to pay attention. How long has it been since you let him out? Yup, put on your coat and go out with him and wait for the deed to be done. Find a spot and keep returning to it. This eliminates the need to search for the right spot and speeds thing up. He is looking for company during miserable weather. Persistence is what will pay off. Scold and show displeasure when done in side, praise when it is done out side.
Destructive
This can be anything from tearing up the his toys to tearing up the house. The toys you overlooked but the house? He is bored, maybe left to long alone, shut in/out. Miserable or worse-just having fun.
Training tip: You may need to change his schedule, arrange for someone to let him out if possible, take for a walk if you are away for very long periods. You may need to consider a kennel/crate if you feel that he is pron ed to attack the couch or chew the furniture legs from time to time. Some find toys, chewing bones help.
Aggression and Physical Resistance
Sometimes aggression stems from emotional abuse. They may have suffered severe emotional trauma and will require a lot of patience and understanding in order to feel trust again. If animals are not aggressive towards humans but towards other animals, the cause maybe jealousy, dominance, insecurity, power struggle etc. Aggression is dangerous, someone or some animal could get very badly hurt. Depending on the animal and the seriousness of the aggression, you may need to call in an expert trainer.
Training tip-Teaching the animal what is acceptable behavior. Often a dog with alot of aggression has a warped sense of what their space is. Most personal space is 2 feet around their body, but an aggressive animal may think that it is the whole room or his side of the street and no one is allowed to cross. Another maybe so fearful that they nip/bite out of fear. In both cases, you should muzzle the animal when you work with him in these danger zones. If you feel that you can't, are intimidated, get a trainer and/or do some heart searching and make the decision to put down. If you think that you can try than leash/collar/muzzle. Introduce him slowly to the room, sidewalk, keeping him focused and attention on you versus the other dogs/people. Reprimand as needed, be calm, strong and assume pack leader rule. Repeat, repeat and do this daily for days until it gets boring and he realizes that he is not the boss. It is becoming ho-hum. In stead of eating the other dogs, he would rather play with them.
With a nipper/biter, you need to get your hands on him and touch him all over, talking calmly and slowly, making no fuss, showing him that it is no big deal. You again need to show that you are boss-pack leader. If he tries to nip, you grab his muzzle and sternly scold him. If it continues, pick him up the scruff of the neck and shake his body (like his mama would). If this doesn't work, than you do what boss dog would do and that is flip him on his back-submissive. Again, these steps need to be done over and over until he gives it up.
The problem with aggression is that you are never really sure if you can trust the animal. Of all the problems to deal with, this if the worst and could result in the animal being put down.
Just like humans, dogs do not always know why they do the things they do. Majority just want to please and feel quite badly when they are scolded. Hopefully, this article has provided you with insight to some tips you may do. Please research various training tips as some are more effective than others depending on the animal. Consider getting an expert trainer if the situation warrants. Someone whom works and understands animals can often correct a problem quickly and to the benefit of all. We all want our companions to be well behaved however, it is up to us to ensure that.
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