My Crazy Dog

How to Better Train Your Dog

Solid Dog Behavior Training Advice

Dogs can be very intelligent and owners need to realize that in the first step of dog behavior training. That’s good news because it means that your dog’s training is not going to be too difficult if you go about it the right way. Here’s some advice for those interested in dog training and what is involved:

Specifics

The timing of critiques and praises needs to be regular when you are training the dog. Obedience training allows little room for error. If you want your dog to obey you, your dog needs to understand that you want that—no matter what, all the time. If you do not advise or praise the dog while the action is occurring, it can be too late to ever change his habits. In training your dog, you may need to assist the dog as the action is occurring.

Consistency

When training your dog, you need to be consistent. If you never want your dog to scratch the door, do not ever let him do it no matter what the situation is. Dog behavior training is very sensitive to regularities.

Be habitual with your actions. If you do not want your dog to go on the sofa, then he never be allowed on that sofa—or your bed. In dog behavior training you learn that dogs do not understand the concept of occasionally or “if.” They only understand consistent permission or no permission– ever.

Good Boy!

When we are training our dog in obedience techniques, we often center on perfection in our dog but do not congratulate the dog’s good behavior as much as we should. If your dog is sitting where you want him to be sitting and minding his own business, tell him he is a good dog. In dog obedience training we believe in giving praise when the dog is not being naughty.

Try not to get too angry when he does something bad. In training our dogs, we believe that you should reinforce positive actions and let bad ones slide once in a while.

Stand Your Ground

If you don’t show your dog who the boss is, your dog will show you. You have to command your dog when training. Don’t be weak or shaky when you ask for an action. When training your dog, if dogs do not comply, you need to show them the way.
You can teach an older dog to adapt to a dog house, but unlike a puppy he may be already set in his ways and might not take to a new environment.

No matter the age of your dog, when you have completed your dog house training you need to teach your children that the dog house is his safe place and when he goes into his home he should’t be bothered and that he wants to get away from everyone else.

A dog, no matter how friendly, has the instinct to attack when it feels trapped and if your children are bothering the dog while in a dog house the dog will feel trapped and attack. That’s why dog house training is just as important to your dog as it is to the rest of the family.

How Can I Get Rid of My Dogs Separation Anxiety?

Separation Anxiety is an attachment disorder. It can vary in degrees of severity from being very mild to very relentless. A mild case is often exhibited when the dog is pacing, over-grooming, and panting, whereas a severe case of separation anxiety can be quite a challenge for the owner.

Severe cases of separation anxiety may include behaviors such as: dog soils the house, cries nonstop, barks or howls, and destroys furniture and other objects around the house. Separation Anxiety in just 10-15 minutes after you have left, can be in full swing. There are some dogs that are ideal for separation anxiety and those are dogs that are shelter dogs. These are canines that have been abused or spent most of their lives in unsafe enclosures, devoid of human contact, kenneled for long periods of time, or living on the streets. Since you are not at home when this behavior occurs, there is no way to protect your home and belongings from your stressed out dog. There are some tips and positive training methods you can utilize in helping your 4 legged friend from panicking, being afraid, and stressing out in your absence. These methods are as follows:

1. Some dogs like being in a crate or confined space because they feel comfortable. Other dogs, however, do not do well at all. If you crate your dog and you see that it feeling anxious, then take them out and do not force them into a crate or vice versa. You can also get your dog some dog clothes and if you have small dog be sure to view these small dog clothes, these will help your dog stay warm and comfy.

2. Confining your dog to a small area where he has viewing access to the outside world is enough to make him feel comfortable and eliminate separation anxiety. You can place his crate or bed in front of a sliding glass door or a clear window.

3. Boredom can cause separation anxiety in your dog. By giving them a “job” to do such as teaching the game “Find It” you can give them a task that will keep them busy while you are gone. Find It, is a popular game most dog owners play with their dogs. Simply take their favorite treat (you may need more if you plan to be gone for awhile) and hide it in different places around the house. They will love the thrill of the hunt and will be so preoccupied with finding a yummy treat that they will hardly notice if at all you are gone!

4. Another way to combat boredom with your beloved pet is to provide them with toys. You may want to have “special” toys that you only take out when you are getting ready to leave. Rotate the toys so he will not get tired of playing with them. Playing, chewing, chasing, and hunting for his toys or treats has the power to cause your dog utilize his natural canine instincts while keeping him occupied for hours. You can view these dog supplies and pick up some right away to help your dog with his anxiety.

5. Leave the tv or radio on while you are absent. Researches have shown that soft, classical music relaxes dogs. Play music that you normally listen to around the house. By using a special “music selection” or only turning the tv or radio on when you are getting ready to go out only makes them have a negative association thus creates anxiety and creates a problem!

My Dog Has Anxiety - What Do I Do?

A common issue that many dog owners have with their 4 legged friends, is separation anxiety. What exactly is separation anxiety? It is a condition that is disruptive behavior that occurs when a dog is left alone as a distress response to separation from the person or persons to whom it is attached. Fortunatly, there are several ways you can help soothe and ease your dog if they are suffering from separation anxiety. Be sure to get your dog a nice orthopedic dog beds to help relieve his stress and anxiety.

First, while it is healthy and positive for you to give your puppy or dog lots of attention and affection, avoid spending all your time with your pooch! From the very beginning you should be getting your pet used to being without you. This should be done gradually so as not to cause your pup or dog trauma which can lead to negative behaviors and mindset. Start by going to a different room and closing the door behind you, leaving your dog by himself in another room. Do this several times every day. Next, leave him alone in the house for five minutes, then fifteen, and so on, until he is comfortable enough to be left alone for several hours at a time. You may also look into getting a nice large dog beds for your dog, so he will be comfortable.

Secondly, being home alone should be a positive and enjoyable experience for your dog. So to insure a positive association when you go away, give your dog a new toy before you leave the house. Provide him with different toys when you are home so he doesn’t associate the toys with you going out and leaving him. Another strategy is to give him his favorite snack or a hollow bone filled with tasty treats that will take the dog a while to finish. By doing these simple things, you are relieving their tension, anxiety, and feelings of fear. Your dog will enjoy these comforting activities while you are away. Be sure to view these dog supplies and choose some that will comfort your doggy.

When the time comes when you must confine your dog when you will be away, you will need to create a positive association with the room they will be staying in. Use special toys that are only to be used when your dog is confined as well as chew treats to make the room or space fun! Make a point to spend time with your dog in that space or room to further give them a wonderful association and experience. Do not put your dog in a crate! This will only reinforce loneliness and anxiety.

Next you want to not make a big deal or fuss about leaving. Don’t feel guilty about leaving either. Ignore your dog for atleast 10 minutes before leaving the house and then do the same thing when you return. The reason for this is it will diminsh your dog’s need for excitement and anxiety for you leaving and when you arrive home.

Last but not least, you can eliminate separation anxiety by giving them enough exercise. This does not mean run them until they are ragged or put them through a “boot camp”. Simply give them enough exercise so that they are relaxed and tired. A brisk walk or jog are great ways of exercise that will relax and tire your dog without pushing them to exhaustion. If they are tired and relaxed then they are less likely to have the energy to dwell on you leaving and being stressed out by it.

The Types Of Pomeranian Problems To Be On The Look Out For

Pomeranians are wonderful little dogs but like any other breed of dog there are Pomeranian problems that you should be aware of before you get involved in owning one. Discuss these issues with your breeder to be sure that you can deal with these potential Pomeranian problems and that a Pomeranian really is the dog for you. Knowing in advance what you are getting into is always a good way to prepare yourself for future issues.

Pomeranians are not the best dogs to have around children. The Pomeranian has a low tolerance for the kinds of activity that children like to engage in like running around and pulling and poking at the dog. There is almost no tolerance by a Pomeranian for people chasing it and any of these problems can result in biting so be careful. If you have small children then you really may want to consider getting a different breed of dog.
Another common Pomeranian problem is that shrill little bark that they have and their love of using it constantly and for what seems like no reason at all. A Pomeranian is startled easily and they will bark at the slightest sense of movement from any direction. If you live in an apartment building, or your neighbors are very close to your home, you may not want to get a Pomeranian as they love to warn people of coming danger even when there is no danger coming.

Pomeranians are part of the toy breed and toy breeds, by their nature, are very fragile little animals. You need to always keep an eye out for them as they will curl up under blankets or pillows to sleep and you can kill your dog if you sit on it. Your dog could be in serious physical trouble by just leaping from your arms to the floor so always keep an eye on your Pomeranian to avoid harming them or to make sure that they do not harm themselves.
A Pomeranian will test your will because they are an extremely smart little breed of dog and one of the Pomeranian problems that you may experience is that it has a mind of its own and really doesn’t care what you have to say. You will find yourself repeating yourself a lot and if that does not sound like what you want to be spending your time doing with your pet then you may want to consider not getting a Pomeranian.

Pomeranians come with a wide variety of issues and problems that can only be dealt with through time and repetition. The dog is too smart to let simple punishment deter it so you should never punish the dog. Always use positive reinforcement or strong consistent behavior with your Pomeranian to let it know that you mean business. But if you are not looking for a challenge then you may want to avoid a Pomeranian.

This article gives helpful information on Pomeranian training. This article makes a great supplement to dog training books.

What Are The Most Common Beagle Problem Behaviors?

Whenever you are considering adding a dog to your life, you need to know what you are getting into. Before you bring the dog home, it is vital that you read about the breed or breeds your dog is made up of and see what health and behavioral problems the breeds are known for. This is not meant to scare you away from ever owning a dog, but to empower your dog adopting decision.

Millions of pets are euthanized every year in American pet shelters, according to the Humane League of the United States. This includes 25% purebred animals, including Beagles. Most pets are abandoned through no fault of their own, but through the fault of their people. They did not take the time to research problem behaviors. When considering a Beagle, also consider the most common Beagle problem behaviors. This way, you know if you can prevent and fix them.
But even neutered animals can have problems wandering. If they are not wandering for sex, then what are they wandering off for? They could be wandering off to follow a delicious smell (Beagles have appetites bigger than they are). They could also be wandering off because of boredom. Your yard needs at least a four-foot fence to keep in a Beagle. Although excellent for other breeds, invisible fences do not always work for Beagles.

Beagles will scavenge through your garbage looking for food, which can be an annoying and costly Beagle behavioral problem. Beagles will eat anything – even if it’s good for them or not. Keep garbage and trash in locked receptacles and spray the can or bin with bitter apple, usually sold to stop puppies from chewing on the furniture or on your hands. You may also have to put a lock on the refrigerator, as Beagles have been known to figure out how to open them.
The next most common Beagle problem behaviors is separation anxiety. This is when they are so upset at being left alone in the house they will either howl or destroy stuff – ANY stuff. All dog training books will cover separation anxiety and the cure is the same for all dogs, no matter what their breed. First off, don’t make a big fuss or apologize to your Beagle when you are about to leave. Put the dog in one room or in a crate as a secure den for him or her.

Leave a radio or television on so your Beagle hears comforting noises. Also leave a shirt or pajamas with your smell on it as another way to comfort your Beagle. Leave proper chew toys to give your Beagle a suitable alternative to the furniture. You can also leave toys like Kongs stuffed with peanut butter or thick gravy inside and then freeze it. Soon, your Beagle should associate you leaving with the appearance of a treat. There is no Beagle behavior problem that can’t be solved with patient Beagle training.

You can find lots of articles such as this one on dog problem behaviors, including proper Beagle training. This author hopes to one day author a line of breed specific dog training books.

Your Beagle Problems

Owning a beagle is not always fun and games. From time to time you will encounter beagle problems that will require you to administer a little beagle training. Some of the best resources for ideas are dog training books written by experts or from websites run by other beagle owners with real life experience solving a variety of problems. Whatever resource you use be ready to be strict with your beagle, as it needs to understand who is in charge in your situation.

There are some classic tell tale signs of a misbehaving dog that some people think is just the dog being friendly but in reality is the dog developing bad habits that need to be stopped. If your beagle jumps on people constantly, will always avoid your touch, grabs things from you and then refuses to give them back without a fight, or constantly barks at you or any company in the house then these are signs of behavioral problems that need to be addressed right away.
Beagle training is done in stages and beagle problems can come up during any stage of your beagle’s development. It is important to remember that a developing beagle puppy is a lot like a human baby in that you would not expect your six-month-old baby to suddenly get up and make itself a sandwich. Beagles are the same way and patience is required to teach them what they need to know. Dog training books probably offer the best insight into these developmental expectations.

Your dog needs to be housebroken and sometimes this can be the single most frustrating thing about owning a pet. There are many differing theories on housebreaking your pet and if you find yourself using the standard methods and they are not working then perhaps you should look into some of the alternatives. More often than not a refusal to be housebroken is a behavioral issue and needs to be treated as such unless your vet tells you differently.
Sometimes beagle problems can have as much to do with your beagle’s genes and birth situation as any other environmental factors. It is not recommended to remove a dog from its mother before seven weeks old. There are many things that your puppy needs to learn from its mother, and its siblings, before it can learn to do anything on its own. A puppy taken before it is seven weeks old is ill equipped to be a good dog right from the start.

On the flip side if a dog is left with its mother longer than seven weeks then it starts to fall into a pecking order among its siblings and it starts to develop bad social skills because of this extra exposure. If your beagle is used to being the top puppy of its litter then it will always try to be aggressive. Making sure you get your puppy at the right time can be very important to solving behavioral problems.

You can learn a lot about beagle training from this article. This article is a great supplement to dog training books.

How Dogs Use Their Tails as Signals - Useful Knowledge

Dogs Use Their Tails As Signals and Gestures

Tail position is an important indicator of social standing and mental state of a dog. There will be some variations, of course, depending upon the natural tail position of the dog: a West Highland white terrier will carry its carrot-shaped tail higher than a golden retriever its flowing, feathery tail, and a greyhound’s relaxed tail position is lower yet.

Almost horizontal, pointing away from the dog but not stiff: This is a sign of attention. It roughly translates as “Something interesting may be happening here.”

Straight out horizontally, pointing away from the dog: This is part of an initial challenge when meeting a stranger or an intruder. It roughly translates as “Let’s establish who’s boss here.”

Tail up, between the horizontal and vertical position: This is the sign of a dominant dog, or one who is asserting dominance, and translates as “I’m boss here.”

Tail up and slightly curved over the back: “I’m top dog,” this says. It is the expression of a confident, dominant dog who feels in control.

Tail held lower than the horizontal but still some distance from the legs: “I’m relaxed.” “All is well.”

Tail down, near hind legs: This changes its meaning with the posture of the dog. If the legs are still straight and the tail slightly brushes back and forth, it means “I’m not feeling well” or “I’m a bit depressed.” If the legs are slightly bent inward, giving a slight downward slope to the back it means “I’m feeling a bit insecure,” especially in an unknown setting or situation.

Tail tucked between the legs: “I’m frightened!” or “Don’t hurt me!” This is especially common in the presence of a dominant dog or person, when it can also mean, “I accept my lowly role in the pack, and I’m not trying to challenge you.

Bristling hair down the tail: The bristle in the dog’s tail is a sign of aggression. It may modify any tail position. Thus, with the straight out it means “I’m ready to fight if you are!” and with the tail slightly up or over the back it means “I’m not afraid of you and will fight to prove I’m boss.”

Crick or sharp bend in the tail when held high: this is more characteristic of the dogs that look like wolves, such as the German shepherds, and means much the same as the tail bristling. It is the precursor to possible aggression.

Broad tail wag: “I like you.” This is often shown during play, when one dog seems to be attacking the other, pouncing, growling, and barking. The wagging tail serves as reassurance that this is all in fun. It also means “I’m pleased” in many contexts.

Slow tail wag, with tail at half-mast: During dog training, I interpret this as “I’m trying to understand you. I want to know what you mean, but I just can’t quite figure it out.” When the dog finally solves the problem, the speed and size of the tail wags will usually markedly increase.

Read more about free dog training (dog behavior training in particular) and how to house train dog.

Looking for More Info About Aggression In Your Dog - Read this Publication

Easy Tips To Curbing Aggression in Your Dog

Are you having problems with aggression? Does your dog make you or someone else nervous? Read on to understand and prevent aggressive behaviors in your dog! take steps to really learn and understand their dog and what can create bad behaviors.

Learning about growth periods in dogs can aide in avoiding this problem.

The First Step - Socialization

Puppies have a great need for socialization from the time they can open their eyes and see, to about 14 weeks of age. Puppies who are sold or placed in homes should ideally be placed between 7 and 8 weeks to allow for proper socialization in the home. From 8 to 10 weeks, it is a delicate time period, and puppies should be treated with extreme care and love.

Puppies and Adolescence

Adolescence starts at around 14 weeks. If your pup has not had the love and care to provide the socialization he needs by this time, he may never be trustworthy around others, whether two legged or four legged. Adolescence continues until they reach sexual maturity, usually around 15 months of age. If your pup did not recieve much handling before adolescence, he or she will often be withdrawn, shy, and even nervous. They may never grow out of this, especially during stressful situations.

The Path to Sexual Maturity

During this stage as they grow to sexual maturity, dogs begin to get protective of home and family. They begin to bark at strangers, and males start lifting their leg to mark territory. Introductions to strangers at home is important in socializing them properly, especially if they missed the early period.

Warning Factors in Aggression

Breeding plays a large role in determining aggression. Dogs bred for protective traits like Ridgebacks, Dobermans, and Rottwielers will be more aggressive than a Lab or Dalmation. Small breeds like terriors were bred to hunt and still have those qualities.

Environment and Aggression

Obviously living conditions will play a huge role in aggressive behaviors. Dogs who are abused, or neglected, or punished excessively can become aggressive. By the same token, dogs who are spoiled, or given too much attention can also become aggressive.

Being the Alpha

Dogs are guided by a different set of rules than people. They live in packs, and packs always have a leader, or Alpha. Dogs who exhibit aggressive behaviors and are not corrected, start to think of themselves as the Alpha of your family. Many times owners will not understand the process leading up to this, and think their dog just decided to bite them out of nowhere, and get rid of the dog. In reality the dog had established himself as your Alpha.

Tips for Preventing Aggression

Never let your dog gain dominance over any family member, especially children. Children are usually the easiest to target as they don’t know any better. If you establish yourself as the Alpha, and don’t let your dog get away with dominant behaviors towards other family members, he will recognize social order.

So remember! Prevention is the best medicine, and the best way to prevent aggression is: Early Socialization, Understanding your Breed, and Establishing your role as Alpha!

Read more about how to house train dogs.