The Challenging

Ottawa Humane Society 245 West Hunt Club Road Tel: 613-725-3166

MY DOG IS TOO ENERGETIC. HOW CAN I STOP MY DOG FROM HOW CAN I STOP MY DOG FROM WHAT CAN I DO? BARKING SO MUCH? CHEWING? Your dog may be bored, lonely or simply not Excessive barking can be an annoyance for your Puppies commonly chew up to the age of getting enough exercise. Puppies and adolescent neighbours as well as your family. Until the 18 months. Grown dogs chew as a way to explore THE dogs under three years of age require more problem is resolved, keep your dog indoors when their world. Rather than eliminating chewing, try exercise than grown dogs. Some dogs, particularly you’re out of the house, and let your neighbours to redirect it toward safe, appropriate objects. the herding and sporting breeds, need to be busy know you’re working on a solution. Dogs bark Keep dangerous objects such as pins, string, CHALLENGING to be happy. If your dog seems to have excess for all kinds of reasons. Here are a few tips that tinfoil, cellophane and rubber bands out of your energy, follow the suggestions in What can I do if could help: pet’s reach. To limit destructive chewing: DOG my dog is bored? • Ensure that your dog is getting adequate exercise. • Ensure that your dog is getting adequate Dogs can engage in a range of • Teach a “quiet” command by allowing one or exercise and play. If you lack the time to challenging behaviours — including WHAT IF, DESPITE ALL EFFORTS, MY two barks, then saying “quiet” while shaking a exercise your dog appropriately, his energy will barking, chewing and escaping — but DOG’S BEHAVIOUR IS TOO can of coins to distract your dog. While your be funnelled destructively. with a little training and plenty of exercise, most difficult behaviours can DIFFICULT? dog is quiet, offer praise and a treat, a toy or • Never give a puppy or dog old socks or shoes other positive reward. to chew on. improve. Giving up an animal is never easy for the owner • If your dog barks at perceived intruders, such • Give your puppy a maximum of three safe or the pet. If, despite your best efforts, your dog’s as the mail carrier, desensitize your dog by objects to chew on. difficult behaviour continues, consult a trainer to having someone walk by the yard. Offer treats • Until your dog understands the rules, keep discuss new strategies. If that doesn’t work, try to and praise as quiet behaviour continues and the tempting items out of his reach. When he is find a caring and responsible new home, or person comes closer. unsupervised, confine him to a safe, dog-proof surrender your pet to the Ottawa Humane Society. • Don’t confuse your dog by encouraging barking place with water and toys, such as a crate or the We will do our best to find your former companion at strangers. laundry room. the happy, healthy home he deserves. • Have your dog spayed or neutered to reduce • If you catch your dog in the act, interrupt the territorial barking. chewing with a loud noise and offer an Programs and services provided by the • If you suspect your dog is barking due to acceptable toy. When your dog takes the toy, Ottawa Humane Society are made possible separation anxiety, fear or low confidence, offer praise and a treat. thanks to your financial support. consult a dog trainer or behaviourist. • If you suspect your dog is chewing due to Please support the animals in our community. • Consult a dog behaviourist about using a bark separation anxiety or fear, consult with a collar. reputable animal behaviour specialist or a trainer.

If your dog is engaging in challenging Tel: 613-725-3166 behaviour, try upping exercise and email: [email protected] play. Increased activity improves many Training is not only kinder than Charitable #: 123264715 RR0001 punishment — it’s more effective. difficult behaviours. 2011/05 Ottawa Humane Society 245 West Hunt Club Road Tel: 613-725-3166 www.ottawahumane.ca

WHAT IS CONSIDERED If you think your dog is acting out due to fear, HOW CAN I CORRECT CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR IN A WHAT CAN I DO IF • Find out where your dog goes when he’s DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR? anxious. Allow constant access to that space, or DOG? MY DOG IS BORED? The appropriate correction depends on the create a similar space your dog can retreat to particular behaviour. However, no matter what sort Much behaviour that is considered challenging or when he’s frightened. Try to limit exposure to • Play with your dog daily — try playing of difficult behaviour your dog is engaging in: difficult, like barking or chewing, is normal dog fetch in the back-yard! the “fear trigger.” behaviour. It’s only when such behaviour becomes • Visit dog-friendly parks to allow your dog to • If the fear is excessive, talk to your veterinarian. • Ensure that your dog is getting adequate exercise. excessive, or directed toward objects we value, interact and play with other dogs. Your dog may benefit from anti-anxiety • Reward positive behaviour with praise and treats. that it can rightly be called difficult. • Spend at least a half-hour each day walking medication or the help of a professional trainer. • Don’t expect to totally eliminate the behaviour. Challenging dog behaviour includes things like: your dog. Allow time for sniffing and Try to control, manage or redirect it. • Barking exploring. MY DOG HAS PROBLEMS WHEN • Crate train your dog to create a safe environment • Chewing • Increase your dog’s mental stimulation I’M AWAY. WHAT CAN I DO for him. Crate training ensures that your dog and your belongings are safe when you’re absent. • Digging every day by teaching commands and tricks. ABOUT SEPARATION ANXIETY? • Never punish a dog unless you catch him in the • Jumping • Take a dog training course. It will increase bonding and stimulate your dog. Dogs with separation anxiety have difficulty act. The dog will not understand otherwise, and • House soiling • If your dog is left alone a lot, have a trusted separating from their primary human. Typically, it may make the problem worse. • Stealing (food, friend, relative or hired dogwalker walk and they will engage in difficult behaviour — such as objects) play with him. Even a half-hour visit in chewing, scratching or howling — within 20 to • Escaping midday will be a welcome diversion. 45 minutes after having been left. If your dog has separation anxiety: • Provide your dog with plenty of appropriate HOW CAN I STOP MY DOG FROM toys. When you introduce a new toy, watch • Keep your arrivals and departures low key. ESCAPING? carefully to make sure your dog doesn’t tear • Leave your dog a reassuring object, such as an it up and eat the pieces. Try challenging old piece of clothing with your scent. Make sure your dog gets adequate exercise and is toys, such as nylon bones and Kong™ toys • Develop a safety cue that will let your dog neutered or spayed. If your dog is escaping out of filled with treats, to keep your dog occupied. know you’ll be coming back. Common cues are fear or separation anxiety, address the underlying • Rotate the toys periodically to keep your playing the radio or television, or providing problem. In the meantime, take these precautions Keep your expectations realistic. dog’s interest fresh. access to a special toy while you’re away. to keep your dog from escaping: Barking and chewing are normal dog behaviours. Aim to limit and redirect, • Often another dog will help your anxious dog • Add an extension to your fence at an inward slant not eliminate. feel more secure; however, if you’re contem- of about 45°. Make sure there is nothing near the plating another dog, talk to a behaviour fence that could be used as a springboard. specialist, dog trainer or the Ottawa Humane • Block the area around the base of the fence Society to ensure you find an appropriate match. WHY IS MY DOG DIFFICULT? with large rocks or other fencing at ground MY DOG’S BEHAVIOUR IS WORSE • If your dog is extremely anxious, consult your level. Bury chicken wire at the base, keeping Reasons vary, but boredom, isolation and lack of WHEN HE’S AFRAID. WHAT CAN I veterinarian. Dogs with severe separation the sharp edges rolled inward to protect your exercise are frequent causes of undesirable DO? anxiety can harm themselves or their homes dog from scratches. behaviour. All dogs need exercise, both mental and may benefit from pheromone (synthetic • If you decide to tether your dog, be sure to use and physical, to stay healthy and happy. Other Sometimes dogs engage in challenging behaviour, hormone) dispensers, drug therapy and the help a leash on an overhead cable runner to prevent common reasons for difficult behaviour are fear or like barking or chewing, when they are exposed to of a professional trainer. entanglement and accidental strangling. separation anxiety. something they fear, such as loud noises.