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Problem Solving
 There are many specific problems people have with dogs, most of these problems are caused by poor communication between the dog and handler. We can help you overcome most problems if you are willing to learn to change your ways. Here are but few of the problems people have: (click the bones for more details on each problem). Most of these problems have several solutions and it is well worth it to get advice on which solution is best for your situation.
Most dog problems are really people problems. Making a lifetime commitment to a dog is understanding that natural dog behaviors, such as barking, digging, and chewing, can be changed with patient consistency in establishing your leadership. Many misbehaviors are caused by boredom, overabundance of energy, loneliness, stress, lack of leadership, or medical problems. With information, you can help your dog overcome these causes. |
| Aggression |
What we found through experience was that probably 90 percent of all the clients who come to us with quote unquote aggression problems didn’t really have true aggression problems. To the untrained eye, it looked like the dog had an aggression problem because if someone approached the dog, the dog would start getting excited and barking, snapping, growling, maybe nipping a little bit. With these dogs it was more of a learned behavior, the dog kept doing this behavior and didn’t understand that it was an unacceptable behavior. Now, predominantly most of the true types of aggression we see are actually either dominant or defensive aggression. |
| Barking |
Problem barking has a variety of origins. Genetics does influence a dog's tendency to bark. Certain breeds belonging to the terrier family are prone to more frequent barking than breeds such as Greyhounds or Basenjis. Generally, however, excess barking can exist in any breed of dog. The key to solving the problem of inappropriate barking is to determine what external stimulus is triggering the behavior. But don't forget that over the years we have bred our dogs to bark. |
Children
& Dogs |
"Children and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly". Since dogs are an important aspect of their lives, children need to be taught how to behave properly around dogs. Click here for the American Kennel Clubs booklet on Children and Dogs. |
| Coprophagia (stool eating) |
There are two major causes of Coprophagia, nutrient related and the more common habit related Coprophagia. First of all, bitches are naturally driven to eat the feces of their offspring. This stems from the wild where they had to hide the existence of the litter from predators.So this problem is just a gross one to us and not necessarily all that out of character for dogs.
Dogs that are punished for having an accident in the house may eat their own stool as a way of hiking the evidence and avoiding the punishment and this forms a habit. Punishment for doing something as natural as eliminating makes no sense at all to your dog. Learn how to house train your dog properly.
A dog that is fed an inexpensive, generic dog food has to eat more of it in order to satisfy his nutrient requirements. Much of this food passes through the system undigested, leaving a stool that looks and smells much like what was originally eaten. |
Dominance/
Leadership |
"You can take the dog out of the pack but you cannot take the pack out of the dog!!" Dogs are pack animal's and follow a social structure that has to be very well defined to them. They are happiest, not when they are leaders of the pack, but when the know where they stand in the order. Not until pack order is firmly established in your home will your level of anxiety go down and respect between you and your dog be accomplished. It is you who must lead the pack, your dog will be very happy to follow. Dog's are not mankind's best friend, dogs are mankind's best companion. If you treat your dog as an equal like you would treat a friend then he will challenge you for leadership and in his mind he will usually win. |
| Jumping |
Puppies naturally jump up on people as a way of greeting or expressing excitement. We inadvertently reinforce this behavior by verbally or physically responding to it. But before long the puppy is a dog and his greeting with paws on our shoulder, eyeball to eyeball, is not very welcome.
In the dog world, jumping up is natural! A dog jumps because he is showing an interest in playing. He jumps as a prelude to fighting, as the beginning of a sexual dance, or to assert his dominance.
We unwittingly encourage this natural behavior by giving it attention. Some people even catch their small dog in a mid-air jump or pick him up by his shoulders and plop him on their lap. This tells the dog that jumping behavior is okay. Your high pitched, excited voice, delights your dog and gives him the signal of approval. Some caregivers are inconsistent, allowing their dog to jump on the furniture but not on them. Jumping is jumping, and if you want to stop it, you must be consistent. |
| Destructive Chewing |
Puppies may be just as much work as human babies - maybe more so because puppies can't wear diapers, they like to chew and they have very sharp teeth! It's definitely true that, similar to infants and toddlers, puppies explore their world by putting things in their mouths. In addition, puppies are teething until they're six - eight months old, which usually creates some discomfort. Chewing not only facilitates teething, but also makes sore gums feel better. Although it's perfectly normal for a puppy to chew on furniture, shoes, shrubbery and such, these behaviors can be a problem for you. A puppy won't magically "outgrow" these behaviors as he matures. Instead, you must shape your puppy's behaviors and teach him which ones are acceptable and which aren't. |
| Digging |
There are many reasons why dogs dig. For some, it is characteristic of their breed. They are going after prey, real or imagined. Dogs that are confined to a yard have a great need to dig. During the winter, they dig to build a den or warming chamber. During the summer, they dig to create a cooling pit. Some dogs dig to escape. They want to escape because they are domesticated and, therefore, have a great need to be with people. Dogs might try to be with their own kind from time to time and, if confined, will dig to join their canine companions. Most dogs dig to bury bones and, later, to recover them. Whatever the reason, your solution to this problem will be to eliminate your dog’s motivation for digging or to redirect the digging from an inappropriate to an appropriate place. |
Pulling
on Lead |
This is the most common complaint we get with large dogs. It is natural for dogs to pull. When a puppy it can be corrected very easily using the "tree" method. Once the dog is larger the tree method will no longer work and you will need the help of a special training collar.
If you dog pulls constantly on a lead, do not use a choke chain to correct this.
Studies have shown extensive trachea and neck injuries from improper
use of this collar. It does exactly what it's name implies, it chokes,
and if your dog is a puller, it chokes continuously. If used at all, it
must be used by an experienced trainer.
You are much better off with the "scary looking prong collar".
The prong collar is extremely effective for large, thick-necked dogs. Looking like some medieval
torture device, the prong collar's method of operation is to pinch the
dog's neck with the prongs, effectively distributing an even mild
pressure that does no injury. The pressure is very mild, and does not
hurt, merely hinders.
You can try it by putting it around the fleshy part of your thigh and
pulling. You'll notice the difference immediately compared to the pain
and choking sensation of the choke chain.
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| Running Away |
Dogs that bolt are often rewarded with unnaturally short life spans. I've found this problem to be fairly easy to solve and I think you will, too, as long as you understand that the keys to the solution are to be persistent and consistent. One method involves conditioning your dog to ask permission to go through a door. There are several other methods of stopping the runaway behavior. First you must determine why the dog is running away.
The dog's character, the conditions it lives in and all the
modifications of its close environment can cause it to escape. Fear causes a reaction of escape. Sexually promiscuity can be the cause or your dog may just like to run (see the life of the Husky for an explanation). All of these causes have simple solutions. |
| Inappropriate Urination |
The two most common forms of urination at inappropriate times are excitement urination and submissive urination.
Excitement urination most commonly occurs with puppies who, like children, do not have complete control of their bladders. The scene is usually one in which you arrive home after being gone a while and your puppy or young dog twists and turns in happiness to see you, and you respond with animated speech and lots of petting. At the same time, he inadvertently releases a few squirts of urine. It is especially important that you do not get upset over this occurrence. This is an involuntary reaction, and any form of punishment, including scolding, will confuse and bewilder your pup. The best thing to do is to tone down your greetings.
Submissive urination is a natural response by a dog who is trying to tell you that you are the boss and he accepts his submissive role. Dogs who roll over on their backs and urinate when approached are signaling an extreme submissive position. Quite often a dog who has been physically punished—hit, kicked, slapped or verbally reprimanded in an abusive way—will exhibit this behavior. |
| Loud Noises |
Some dogs are terrorized by loud noises. This terror is usually learned from a traumatic experience which occurred at the same time as the noise. It can also be learned by transfer. For example, if you showed fear of a loud noise one time, your dog would learn that loud noises are to be feared. A dog’s ears are sensitive, and loud noises can hurt them. A process of desensitization will help this problem. |
| Anxiety |
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they're left alone. Typically, they'll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them. The most common of these behaviors are:
- Digging, chewing and scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to escape and reunite with their owners.
- Howling, barking and crying in an attempt to get their owner to return.
- Urination and defecation (even with housetrained dogs) as a result of distress.
We don't fully understand exactly why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and, under similar circumstances, others don't. It's important to realize, however, that the destruction and house soiling that often occurs with separation anxiety is not the dog's attempt to punish or seek revenge on his owner for leaving him alone, but is actually a panic response.
Separation anxiety sometimes occurs when:
- A dog has never or rarely been left alone.
- Following a long interval, such as a vacation, during which the owner and* dog are constantly together.
- After a traumatic event (from the dog's point of view) such as a period of time spent at a shelter or boarding kennel.
- After a change in the family's routine or structure (a child leaving for college, a change in work schedule, a move to a new home, a new pet or person in the home).
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| Car Related |
When first introduced to car riding, some dogs get sick. Luckily, most get over it and love to go for car rides.
The first signs of car sickness are yawning, then excessive drooling, sometimes followed by vomiting. For a dog that is exhibiting these symptoms, open a window a crack to get some fresh air in the car. Along with getting fresh air, it is important that the dog be able to see out of the window. Arrange a spot in the car, perhaps the rear window ledge or a box, that the dog can get up onto and see the road ahead. For severe cases and for long trips you may want to try motion sickness medication.
Conditioning is the best method to prepare your dog for riding in the car. This is done over several weeks and it involves you, your dog, your car, and the use of lavish praise |
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