Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit extreme behavior problems when they are left alone. The most common behaviors are destruction of property (sometimes injuring themselves in the process), especially around doors or windows, howling and barking, and urination and defecation from distress. The destruction and house soiling is not an attempt to seek revenge on the …
I wouldn’t dream of raising a puppy without using a crate. Crates are a great tool to use when you can’t actively supervise your pup. And you know how much trouble puppies and young dogs can get into when they are not supervised! A crate will also make the job of housebreaking much easier. The …
Tug can be a great game for your dog – IF played by the rules. Tug is a good substitute for body-slam wrestling. It is also a good way to use up energy when you can’t get the dog outside due to bad weather. Playing tug properly can teach self control and mouth manners. Playing …
The term, drive, when used in dog training is a departure from the behavioral scientist’s understanding of the concept. In the early days of research into animal behavior, scientists attempted to place theory into strict, even mechanical, descriptions of behavior, much like a mathematician or chemist. These early experimenters postulated that drive was the energy …
Building Drive in Obedience Discussions over the last few years regarding the protection phase center around active and reactive aggression. In these discussions the importance of having a dog initiate the work is generally agreed to by most. The concept of having the dog initiate the work is seldom discussed regarding the obedience phase even …
You or your family is expecting a new baby; however, you already have a “child,” the family dog. The dog has been a member of the household since puppyhood and is very attached to you. He often attempts to wedge himself between you and visitors when the visitors get too close. …
Unlike most dog events, working dog competitions are not so much a test of how well a dog can do a particular exercise, but a more fundamental examination of the dog’s temperament. Whether it is Schutzhund, Ring Sport, herding or service dog trials, the points may be determined by how well a dog does each …
Things should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.-Albert Einstein Tired of tired obedience or a dog having a nervous breakdown on the track? In this article I would like to go back and question the very fundamentals of how many dog trainers approach their task and see just where the problem …
I have created my own philosophy in obedience. (Although I am sure I just reinvented the wheel.) When teaching people in my club, I have found this to be the best way to explain what I need from them. This obedience theory is good for all three phases: obedience, tracking, and protection. I will address …
Why is leadership important? Dogs are social animals that live in a pack, or family. When you bring a dog into your family you become their pack. Even if you are a single person with one dog, you are a pack. It is extremely important for a dog to know where he stands in the …