Oct 29

Many canines need basic dog obedience training because, like humans, dogs are not born with manners.  Some canines display aggressive dog behavior, while others are constantly barking or whining.  Behavior problems in dogs are very common, so if you have an unruly dog, do not panic; you are not alone.  A typical dilemma faced by dog owners is dog aggression.  This, like many other bad dog behaviors, can be prevented.  However, in order to stop dog behavior problems, you first need to be able to understand their underlying causes.

Correcting aggressive dogs calls upon you to discover the root of the aggression.  Does you dog behave aggressively towards members of the family, strangers, or both?  You must ask yourself this critical question.  The answer will influence treatment of the problem.

If your pet only exhibits aggressive dog behavior in the presence of strangers, then you need to: learn how to socialize your dog and why socialization is the first, most important step of aggressive dog training.  If your dog is aggressive towards family members, then you need to understand why resource guarding and dog pack behavior have a tremendous influence on your dog’s actions.  A dog may also show aggression towards members of the family if he is mishandled or mistreated.  It is important for each family member to learn what type handling/treatment can trigger aggression.

Aggressive dog training is a hard job to do without some form of help.  Books on dog behavior are an excellent resource that can guide you through basic dog obedience training and help you learn how to stop dog behavior problems (for example, dog aggression).  So, if you want to train your dog in the house and don’t want to spend a ton of money on training lessons, then a book on dog behavior is an excellent investment!

Five Suggestions you need to start correcting aggressive dogs:

  • Bring your puppy to meet a bunch of different people and expose him to new surroundings.
  • Give your puppy lots of physical contact so he can get used to being handled.
  • Show your dog that it is you who rules the coop.
  • Obedience training lessons should never be too long, inconsistent, or sporadic.
  • Reward your dog with treats or attention when he obeys you, and seclude him when he fails to.

J. Walden
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/5-ways-to-stop-dog-aggression-aggressive-dog-training-exposed-749240.html

Oct 15

There is a lot of difference between Disobedience and incomprehension. If your dog is not able to comprehend your command, it is not that he has some behavioral problem. It simply means that you both need to bond together more and training him to understand what you are really trying to say. If you have trained him and he still doesn’t obey your commands,then it has a Behavioral Problem. This is not a minor problem, it’s actually a major problem which needs to be corrected immediately before your relationship with your dog deteriorates further and it becomes embarrassing in front of your friends. If it is not corrected immediately, then you are allowing your dog to form a habit of Passive Aggression.  You can’t fix this problem saying it will correct itself. It’s very important to show your dog that you are the Master and not him. It’s not possible to have a good relationship with your dog if you don’t make an effort to show him that you are the master and he needs to obey your commands.

Your first step in dealing with this problem is try to make him understand that you are the Boss. Some tips, when leaving your house, it is you who have to leave the house first and not the dog. He needs to follow you out. This is the Alpha Behavior of a Dog. In the Dog’s language, only Alpha leaves first. If you let him go first and you follow him, then he understands that he is the Boss and you need to follow him.

Playing with him is a nice way to bond with him and this should be done on your terms and not his.

For more details on dog training visit my website.

ashsmh
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-obedience-and-behavior-training-736155.html

Oct 10

On this site and many others I see average laypeople trying to give advice on how to address aggression, fear and shyness and other behavior problems.

What worked on your dog or what you saw on tv is relevent to that specific situation and does not apply to every dog or every situation. Behavior problems should be evaluated and addressed on an individual basis by a professional. The wrong advice will make problems worse or create a problem that was not previously there.

Dog owners should first contact their local SPCA or shelter for recommendations on local trainers and behavior consultants (some shelters have in-house consultants who offer behavior services – some of the top behavior specialists in the country work for shelters).

While changing behavior does involve working with the dog, a HUGE part of the process is working with the owner, to help them improve their technique and timing. None of this can be accomplished through advice over the internet.

I agree with you. And, for the most part I do see that the better answers tell the person to take the dog to the vet or to enroll in obedience classes or search for a dog behaviorist.
On the other hand, the average American dog owner will not even spend the money to put their dog through a beginner dog training class. They don’t spend the time to socialize the dog. Then when the dog has behavior problems the solution most the time is dumping it in a shelter or giving it away.
So, if some free advise on the Internet can get these folks to maybe try something suggested and maybe see some improvement and then maybe they will enroll the dog in a class or phone the SPCA and ask about a consultation with a behaviorist.
I’d like to see people have to pass a test before being allowed to own a dog sort of like passing a test before being allowed to drive. Not ever go to happen, but it sure would cut down on the dogs in shelters.

powered by Yahoo Answers

Oct 10

My dog was recently prescribed a psychotropic (Elavil) for aggressive behavior after intense behavioral training was not completely successful. If you have given your dog a med, which one and how is it going? Not interested in your response if no direct experience, thanks in advance.
Not really what I had in mind, was referring to more of a true behavioral med given daily, but you win by default :)

I am not sure if this fits into what you are asking, but yes. My vet recommends giving her Ace during thunderstorms and the 4th of July.

My cream Pom (the one with the sensitive ears) couldn’t care less about noise, but my black one becomes a nervous wreck and shakes uncontrollably.

powered by Yahoo Answers

Oct 8

dog behavior can be difficult to understand, especially for pet owners. Some dogs will chase each other all over the street, sniff each other’s bottoms, and then do a few nasty things that may or may not result in a litter of pups. Other dogs will growl at other dogs, bare their teeth, and then snap at other dogs. The latter behavior can be disconcerting to pet owners who are fond of walking their dogs, but who are afraid of alienating themselves from other pet owners who have less aggressive canines.

Dog breeders and owners describe this canine-canine war as dog aggression, which is technically a dog’s intent to do harm to another dog. Dog snap at other dogs is only one display of aggression, and it comes in the category of loud barking and growling at other dogs. Dogs show aggression not so much because they want to hurt another dog, but because they are defending themselves from potential harm. Such defense tactics are undertaken by dogs to gain a higher status over a potential rival, or simply because of built in instincts or traits that make them feel that they are dominant versus other dogs. Some dogs may also develop hormonal imbalance, prompting them to exercise dominance over other dogs by showing dog aggression.

Aggression is common, although some breeds such as bulls and terriers are more likely to display aggression as they age. If a dog starts off life as an abused or attacked pup, then he may be fearful of other dogs and thus exercise defense-based aggression or snap at other dogs. In particular, dogs can be aggressive toward dogs or objects that resemble anything that threatened or attacked them in the past. If your dog snap at other dogs, therefore, may simply be a sign that your dog is defending his or her territory, or is remembering something in his or her past.

If your dog continues to snap at other dogs, then you might want to take a look at the following tips to help you control your dog. If all else fails, take your dog to the vet or a canine behavior specialist for more information on how he or she can be made less aggressive or harmful.

– When dogs lack exercise, they can have a lot of pent up energy, and can actually be more emotionally and mentally unstable. Take your dog out often and make him or her exercise by jogging together, or by playing fetch in the park. This can allow your dog to use up all the energy that he or she has, giving him or her less time and resources to snap at other dogs.

– If you have a puppy, discipline him or her and start him or her on a disciplined life without abusing him or her. A well-disciplined dog is less likely to do harm, and certainly less likely to snap at other dogs.

– If you prefer a dog that is docile and quiet, then you might want to select a breed beforehand that is not prone to snap at other dogs or other forms of dog aggression. Choose toy dogs or retrievers if you have little time to undertake any disciplinary measures. If you are an experienced breeder or trainer, however, then go for terriers and bulls, but be sure to instill discipline early.

– Act as a dominant owner. If a dog senses that he or she is dominant in your house, or the seeming owner of it, then it can turn itself into the alpha dog and establish itself as the leader of your pack. It can then think that it has the license to snap at other dogs and display aggression.

– As much as possible, keep only one dog at home. The more dogs you have, the more defensive your dog will become, and the more likely he or she is to display aggressive behavior or snap at other dogs.

If you really want to stop your dog to snap at other dogs at the shortest possible time, you need a dog obedience training to help you transform you dog’s behavior problems. Did you know that you can put an end to the stress and annoyance of your dog’s behavior problems by using techniques that will give you immediate results? Discover dog obedience training secrets to stop your dog’s behavior problems visit Dogs’ Corner

To know more about Pets visit All About Pets

Gerry Restrivera
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dogs-behavior-problem-how-to-stop-your-dog-to-snap-at-other-dogs-749487.html

Oct 1

dogs that are usually considered to be hypoallergenic may, ultimately, not cause as many allergic reactions in their owners than dogs of other varieties. You can choose from a wide variety of breeds–long-haired, short-haired, or even hairless breeds. It all depends on what you are allergic to and what type of dog you wish to own. If you purchase a hypoallergenic dog, you might have to put in some extra effort in your care of it.

Brush and Groom Regularly

The point of emphasis in the care of a hypoallergenic dog is the care of its coat. Although several hypoallergenic breeds such as Schnauzers, Terriers, and Poodles possess short hair, it can be rough and grow fast unless you groom your dog regularly. These dogs do not shed their excess hair, and their fur is similar to the hair of human beings.

Another reason to groom your dog well is to prevent its hair from getting matted. Moreover, an uncared and ungroomed coat could lead to various skin disorders and other health complications.

It is also important that you brush your dog regularly, especially if you own a long-haird breed such as the Afghan Hound. Generally, long-haired breeds are known to be hypoallergenic. Afghan Hounds have long and shiny coats, and they do not shed any fur.

It is important, therefore, that you brush and groom your dog regularly. Brush your dog twice a week if you want to avoid the growth of excessive hair.

Keep Your Dog Indoor

A few breeds of hypoallergenic dogs possess undercoats, some do not. A dog’s undercoat protects it from the cold by storing body temperature. A dog that lacks an undercoat cannot survive in the extreme cold. So, unless a breeder assures you that your dog can survive out of doors, keep it inside the house.

In case you own a hairless dog, protect its skin by regularly massaging it with creams and lotions. Don’t leave such dogs out of doors for a long time. Hairless dogs are prone to develop sunburn and dehydration.

Give Your Dog Love and Friendship

Care of your dog does not include only brushing or grooming. You need to ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. Your dog also wants you to spend some quality time with it everyday.

Don’t leave your dog alone for long hours because it could develop destructive habits. Teach your dog to get used to your routine so that it does not mind the few hours when you are not available.

If you have to travel for a few days, find a friend to either take care of your dog in your absence or at least, to check in on it. Better still, consider keeping your dog in a pet boarding facility till you return.

Visit the Vet Regularly

Your dog will live a healthy, long, and happy life if you take care of it well by protecting it from extremes of temperature and exposure to sunlight, which could give it skin disorders. Since hypoallergenic dogs come in small sizes, they are susceptible to disorders such as arthritis, tumors, eye-related, and others. Take your dog to the vet regularly, so that any health problems can be nipped in the bud.

You can never predict the ways in which your dog will grow old. It is therefore important to study various breeds and the health problems they might develop. These simple steps will help your hypoallergenic pet to live a long and healthy life.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/care-of-hypoallergenic-dogs-taking-care-of-your-loyal-pets-753445.html