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Dog Behavior Tips

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Dog Behavior Tips Dog Behavior Tips Compliments of 1 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3 A New Way of Thinking About Dogs ............................................................................................................. 5 To Adopt an Adult Dog or a Puppy ............................................................................................................... 7 Selecting an Appropriate Dog for Children ................................................................................................... 9 Introducing an Adult Dog to the Home ....................................................................................................... 10 Introducing a Puppy to the Home ............................................................................................................... 11 Housetraining .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Introducing a New Dog to an Existing Dog ................................................................................................. 14 Introducing a New Dog to a Cat .................................................................................................................. 15 Advantages to Neutering ............................................................................................................................ 16 Urinating at Inappropriate Times................................................................................................................ 17 Unruly, Excitable Behavior .......................................................................................................................... 18 Jumping on People and Furniture ............................................................................................................... 19 Coming When Called ................................................................................................................................... 20 Leaving Your Dog Home Alone ................................................................................................................... 21 Chewing and Destructiveness ..................................................................................................................... 22 Digging ........................................................................................................................................................ 23 Barking ........................................................................................................................................................ 24 Fence Jumping ............................................................................................................................................ 25 Food Stealing and Food Bowl Aggression ................................................................................................... 26 Eating Dangerous or Poisonous Objects ..................................................................................................... 27 Chasing Cars ................................................................................................................................................ 28 Killing Animals ............................................................................................................................................. 29 The Aggressive Acting, Biting Puppy ........................................................................................................... 30 Beginning Signs of Aggression .................................................................................................................... 31 Biting Dogs .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Aggressiveness Toward Other Dogs ............................................................................................................ 34 Excessive Chewing or Licking of Self ........................................................................................................... 35 Eating His Own or Other Animal Feces ....................................................................................................... 36 Eating Non-Food Objects ............................................................................................................................ 37 The Shy and Fearful Dog ............................................................................................................................. 38 Fear of Loud Noises ..................................................................................................................................... 39 The Finicky Eater ......................................................................................................................................... 40 Car Sickness and Riding Behavior ............................................................................................................... 41 Preparing a Dog for a New Baby ................................................................................................................. 42 Preparing a Dog for the Veterinarian .......................................................................................................... 43 Moving to a New Location .......................................................................................................................... 44 The Flea Problem ........................................................................................................................................ 45 The Aging Dog ............................................................................................................................................. 46 When, or If, To Euthanize ........................................................................................................................... 47 Suggested Reading ...................................................................................................................................... 48 About the Author ........................................................................................................................................ 49 2 Introduction The objective of this book is to give you a quick and easy overview of the most common dog behavior problems and their solutions. A more detailed description of training procedures can be found in any of the books in the "Suggested Reading" list. My goal is to help you understand why your dog is behaving the way he is and what you can do to change unwanted behavior. You will notice as you read that I frequently warn of the unfortunate effects from using any form of punishment as a modifier of behavior. The only way you can build a bond of mutual trust between you and your dog is for you to praise good behavior whenever it is displayed. A dog learns to repeat behavior; that is rewarded with praise and/or food tidbits. A dog learns to be shy or aggressive whenever his behavior is punished. Verbal praise is given with a slightly higher pitch in your voice and with lots of expression. A happy tone in your voice, a smile on your face and a kneeling body position will tell your dog that you are pleased with his progress. A pat on his chest at the time of verbal praise will reinforce your expression of happiness. Dogs have a keen sense of hearing. They learn best when commands are spoken softly and firmly. Consistency and simplicity in giving commands will hasten the learning process. For example, use the work "Off" to stop a dog from jumping on you. Avoid screaming, "Get down, dammit!" There are three key essentials in the learning process for changing unwanted behavior: a verbal reprimand, a command, and a reward. If your dog is jumping up and planting his front legs on your chest as you walk through the door, scream, "Off!" (the reprimand). Say, "Sit," (the command). Give praise by excitedly saying, "Good dog!" (the reward). A dog that has a tendency to jump up on you will learn that he gets lots of smiles and praise when he comes up to you and sits. A dog lives for our approval! A dog is easily trained by the use of food tidbits as lures and rewards. If you want your dog to pay attention to you when teaching him to walk on leash, carry a food lure in your hand. When he responds correctly to your walking commands, give him a food treat as a reward. Reward correct behavior every time it occurs. Then, slowly begin substituting praise for food rewards each time correct behavior is displayed. Once the command is learned, offer a food reward intermittently as this will "fix the learning" and will prevent him from becoming a beggar! Behavior problems are quite often medically related. Before trying to solve a behavior problem, make sure that your dog is healthy. Establish a relationship with a good veterinarian. Please consider adopting your dog from an animal shelter. Get him altered as soon as possible so that you will not contribute to the horrendous canine overpopulation. There are lots of intelligent and companionable dogs found in our local shelters. Mixed breed as well as purebred dogs will give you many years of love and affection. If you must select a purebred, acquire him from a responsible breeder who will guarantee his health and proper socialization. I have avoided using the term "owner" in referring
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