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. CHALLENGING 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, 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? Dogs can engage in a range of • Ensure that your dog is getting adequate exercise. • Ensure that your dog is getting adequate challenging behaviours — including exercise and play. If you lack the time to • Teach a “quiet” command by allowing one or barking, chewing and escaping — but WHAT IF, DESPITE ALL EFFORTS, MY exercise your dog appropriately, his energy will two barks, then saying “quiet” while shaking a with a little training and plenty of DOG’S BEHAVIOUR IS TOO be funnelled destructively. can of coins to distract your dog. While your 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 improve. Giving up an animal is never easy for the owner other positive reward. to chew on. or the pet. If, despite your best efforts, your dog’s • If your dog barks at perceived intruders, such • Give your puppy a maximum of three safe difficult behaviour continues, consult a trainer to as the mail carrier, desensitize your dog by objects to chew on. discuss new strategies. If that doesn’t work, try to having someone walk by the yard. Offer treats • Until your dog understands the rules, keep find a caring and responsible new home, or and praise as quiet behaviour continues and the tempting items out of his reach. When he is surrender your pet to the Ottawa Humane Society. person comes closer. unsupervised, confine him to a safe, dog-proof We will do our best to find your former companion • Don’t confuse your dog by encouraging barking place with water and toys, such as a crate or the the happy, healthy home he deserves. at strangers. laundry room. • Have your dog spayed or neutered to reduce • If you catch your dog in the act, interrupt the Programs and services provided by the territorial barking. chewing with a loud noise and offer an Ottawa Humane Society are made possible acceptable toy. When your dog takes the toy, thanks to your financial support. • If you suspect your dog is barking due to separation anxiety, fear or low confidence, offer praise and a treat. Please support the animals in our community. consult a dog trainer or behaviourist. • If you suspect your dog is chewing due to • 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? DOG? MY DOG IS BORED? anxious. Allow constant access to that space, or The appropriate correction depends on the create a similar space your dog can retreat to Much behaviour that is considered challenging or particular behaviour. However, no matter what sort • Play with your dog daily — try playing when he’s frightened. Try to limit exposure to difficult, like barking or chewing, is normal dog of difficult behaviour your dog is engaging in: 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 • Ensure that your dog is getting adequate exercise. excessive, or directed toward objects we value, • If the fear is excessive, talk to your veterinarian. interact and play with other dogs. • Reward positive behaviour with praise and treats. that it can rightly be called difficult. Your dog may benefit from anti-anxiety • 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? • Take a dog training course. It will increase • Never punish a dog unless you catch him in the • Jumping Dogs with separation anxiety have difficulty bonding and stimulate your dog. act. The dog will not understand otherwise, and • House soiling separating from their primary human. Typically, • If your dog is left alone a lot, have a trusted it may make the problem worse. • Stealing (food, they will engage in difficult behaviour — such as friend, relative or hired dogwalker walk and objects) chewing, scratching or howling — within 20 to play with him. Even a half-hour visit in 45 minutes after having been left. If your dog has • Escaping midday will be a welcome diversion. separation anxiety: • Provide your dog with plenty of appropriate HOW CAN I STOP MY DOG FROM • Keep your arrivals and departures low key. toys. When you introduce a new toy, watch ESCAPING? • Leave your dog a reassuring object, such as an carefully to make sure your dog doesn’t tear Make sure your dog gets adequate exercise and is old piece of clothing with your scent. it up and eat the pieces. Try challenging neutered or spayed. If your dog is escaping out of toys, such as nylon bones and Kong™ toys • Develop a safety cue that will let your dog fear or separation anxiety, address the underlying filled with treats, to keep your dog occupied. know you’ll be coming back. Common cues are problem. In the meantime, take these precautions Keep your expectations realistic. • Rotate the toys periodically to keep your playing the radio or television, or providing to keep your dog from escaping: Barking and chewing are normal dog dog’s interest fresh. access to a special toy while you’re away. • Add an extension to your fence at an inward slant behaviours. Aim to limit and redirect, • Often another dog will help your anxious dog not eliminate. of about 45°. Make sure there is nothing near the feel more secure; however, if you’re contem- fence that could be used as a springboard. plating another dog, talk to a behaviour specialist, dog trainer or the Ottawa Humane • Block the area around the base of the fence WHY IS MY DOG DIFFICULT? with large rocks or other fencing at ground MY DOG’S BEHAVIOUR IS WORSE Society to ensure you find an appropriate match. level. Bury chicken wire at the base, keeping Reasons vary, but boredom, isolation and lack of • If your dog is extremely anxious, consult your WHEN HE’S AFRAID. WHAT CAN I the sharp edges rolled inward to protect your exercise are frequent causes of undesirable veterinarian. Dogs with severe separation dog from scratches. behaviour. All dogs need exercise, both mental DO? anxiety can harm themselves or their homes and physical, to stay healthy and happy. Other Sometimes dogs engage in challenging behaviour, and may benefit from pheromone (synthetic • If you decide to tether your dog, be sure to use common reasons for difficult behaviour are fear or like barking or chewing, when they are exposed to hormone) dispensers, drug therapy and the help a leash on an overhead cable runner to prevent separation anxiety. something they fear, such as loud noises. of a professional trainer. entanglement and accidental strangling..