Recommendations and suggestions on the who, what, when, where, and how of solving behavior problems.
Annoyance, frustration, embarrassment – the feelings that come from that moment when you ask your dog to do something and they ignore you. The world is full of obedience classes and quick fixes for the disobedient canine companion. What actually works? How can you deal with a disobedient dog? Disobedient or …? The most important … Read moreThe Disobedient Dog
“How do I stop my puppy biting?” “Why does my puppy bite so much?” “What do I do when my puppy bites?” These are the top questions in my puppy classes. It’s an incredibly common behavior, in puppies as well as some teenagers and beyond! What is “Mouthing”? For this article, “mouthing” refers to a … Read moreSurviving Puppies: Play Biting or “Mouthing”
Walking your dog can feel like a necessary chore, a part of being a responsible dog owner. But there are lots of reasons this task can become stressful, frustrating, or not possible. Good news! You don’t have to take your dog for that neighborhood walk, as long as you can meet their needs in other … Read moreDon’t Walk Your Dog?
Do you have a shy, anxious, or fearful dog? You’ve probably heard the advice to give them treats to help them overcome their fear. It’s great advice (unlike some of what’s out there…) but there are a few important tricks to using those treats safely and effectively! A Note on Safety If your dog’s behavior … Read moreHelping Your Fearful Dog: The Trick to Treats
Separation anxiety (and its cousins: isolation distress and separation-related problems) can be a huge source of stress for dog guardians. If your dog barks, howls, destroys things, pees or poops, or otherwise causes trouble when they are left alone, you have no doubt spent time trying to figure out what to do to help them. … Read moreSeparation Anxiety Myths: Part 2
Separation anxiety (and its cousins: isolation distress and separation-related problems) can be a huge source of stress for dog guardians. If your dog barks, howls, destroys things, pees or poops, or otherwise causes trouble when they are left alone, you have no doubt spent time trying to figure out what to do to help them. … Read moreSeparation Anxiety Myths: Part 1
Whether it’s advice about cats, dogs, or kids, one suggestion is common: ignore bad behavior. That can seem like a good plan and sometimes it works, but sometimes it backfires. Is “ignore bad behavior” good advice, bad advice, or just one piece of the puzzle? Why Ignore Bad Behavior? Many behaviors are motivated by consequences, … Read moreThe Case AGAINST Ignoring Bad Behavior
If you’re dealing with angry neighbors, damaged doors, soiled carpets, broken crates, or even an injured dog, you have probably heard the phrase “separation anxiety” or its cousins “isolation distress” and “separation-related behavior”. Whatever you call it, it’s hard on dogs and owners. But not every alone-time problem is separation anxiety. How can you tell … Read moreDoes Your Dog Have Separation Anxiety?
Does your dog run from the vacuum, growl at the new puppy, try to bite when you trim their nails, or have some other overreaction to a harmless thing? What’s up with that? You know that the vacuum isn’t a monster, that the puppy is just trying to play, and that nail trims are not … Read moreGet Over It!
They won’t be breaking curfew or begging to borrow the car, but if you have a canine teenager, they may be terrorizing your household. Dogs have a much longer adolescent (or teenage) phase than most people realize and it can affect them, and those around them, in many ways. If you find yourself using words … Read moreLiving with Teenagers: The Joys and Challenges of Adolescent Dogs