SOME TIPS TO HELP PREVENT BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS...

[MeSheLL]

Bored, under stimulated and under exercised dogs will try and find much needed ways to expend their energy and fill their time.

Provide your dog with the regular exercise they need. This is very important in keeping your dog healthy physically as well as emotionally. Regular exercise not only helps prevent behavior problems from developing but also aids in resolving them. Be aware that even with access to a yard a dog may not be getting enough exercise. Regular walks, sports and games are also great ways to bond with your dog.

Many behaviors that are problems in our homes are actually normal dog behaviors that can be redirected and more positively expressed through the use of toys, games, sports and organized activities. For example, the need to chase can be satisfied with fetch, Frisbee, or flyball. Chewing can be fulfilled with the use of chew toys, bones, Kongs and stuffed animals. The need to search can be expressed by hiding toys around the house or yard (especially Kongs stuffed with peanut butter or liver paste as this is reminiscent of the need to search for food and your dog also has to work the food out), playing the hide and seek game with yourself or hunting and field trials. In addition to stuffed Kongs, there are also many interactive puzzle toys on the market which fulfill your dog's need to be occupied and have a job to do, particularly in your absences. When playing with your dog or in your absences, a game can be invented for every natural dog behavior, the only limit is your imagination!

Variation of the environment is very important in channeling your dog's attention and energies. In addition to regular daily walks, rotate your dog toys each week, starting with 20 toys and rotating in groups of 15.

Regular walks, exercise, games and toys will not only help avoid behavior problems it will keep your dog at her physical and mental peak. It will also deepen and create a more harmonious relationship for you and your dog.
TIP OF THE MONTH

When Repetition Becomes a Problem …While repeating commands can be human nature, it is counterproductive as it: 1–trains your dog not to listen the first time you give a command; 2-weakens your dog’s attentiveness to you in general; 3-in situations where your dog is stressed it only serves to increase the stress. The same command should never be repeated rapidly in succession e.g., “sit, sit, Sit”. If your dog is in the process of learning a command and doesn’t respond correctly, re-lure them into the command (i.e. posture or action you want) without repeating the word. Commands are initially only words without meaning, as we train dogs they learn the meaning by associating it with the posture or action we want through accurate luring and practice. (Dogs should also be taught a hand signal for the command simultaneously as well). If you find you dog is not listening when stressed it could be the command you chose is not appropriate, for example, an initial down stay for a dog aggressive dog when another dog appears would be very difficult and not the best choice, a more suitable command should be selected. If your dog has learned the command well but is not listening to you he should be required to do the command to get all the life rewards/reinforcers he needs, such as executing the command prior to being fed, petted, walked, etc.