Dog Training Tips…
Coming Home to Doggy Destruction – What To Do – Dog Training Tips
Was a time when “dog training” didn’t come up in the average family. Unless you were teaching a specific working breed how to perform its job — guard dog, hunter or maybe even a wild wolfdog to pull a sled through the wild North Country — most family mutts just caught on.
In times gone by, families were bigger — there was always someone around to show Rover the basics of family behaviour. Your kids were there; their friends hanging out after school. Actually, Goldie picked up most things just by participating with family members.
Different today. Families are smaller. Most adults are out for the day. House and apartment dog breeds are more varied, with more needs.
Here, from our fave dog trainer, New Zealander Daniel Abdelnoor (affectionately called Doggy Dan), is a Guest Blog Post on that very subject. Listen!
Coming Home to Doggy Destruction – It Starts with Dog Training
Bet you’ve heard this before: “We got home and our new puppy had done a complete number on — well, everything! Holes dug in the garden and the couch, chewed tables, mess and destruction everywhere.”
As Dan says, “Sometimes it’s even worse… you get a notice in your letter box complaining that you have a dog who’s not only destroying the yard but one that’s been barking non-stop every time you leave the house and now you have five days to fix it or face a $300 fine.
“Oh boy! You’ve gotta love your dog. Strange thing is… very often, as soon as you walk back into the house there is never any barking (in fact you may hardly ever hear your dog bark) and no destruction takes place. It’s like you have a completely different dog when you’re not there…!
“In fact you would be amazed by how many people have no idea that they owned a barking dog because the barking only happened when they were not there. But… the great news is that none of this is a complicated problem to sort out.
“In fact it’s one of the most common and straight forward behavioral issues to sort out. In this post I’m going to quickly explain why it’s occurring and point you to a site where you can easily learn how to stop it, gently and quickly.”
“So why is my dog barking and being so destructive when I leave?” you ask.
It’s like this, Dan explains: “Imagine that you’re a parent with a two year old child. Your essential job is to care for, look after and protect that child. Now if the child ended up outside the house and you were locked inside unable to get out what would you do? Sit down with a cup of tea and read the paper? I don’t think so… You would be screaming and shouting and doing everything you could to get out of the house…pulling on the doors and the windows.
“Your energy levels would be way up. You would be stressed. And stress can show itself in many distinct ways… shouting, chewing fingers, excessive drinking or eating, gambling, addictions, the need to keep busy, man.
Follow the Leader
“Generally when we are stressed we are the opposite of relaxed ! You know where I’m going: your dog is no different. The cause of the problem is simply that your canine thinks that they are the pack leaders in the home and they think that their job is to keep an eye on you and protect you.
“That’s why your dog is stressed when you leave them. They are stuck inside the property unhappy, worried and restless — all their pups have gone! And anything could happen!
“Think about it. You leave for your workplace five days a week, early morning, and leave them at home again and again, imagine what that does to them! They build up of stress…and again, as with humans, that stress can come out in many different ways.
Barking Dogs
“Some dogs will bark continuously, some will become hyperactive and not settle down, digging holes and being destructive or chewing.
The chewing actually releases endorphins which can help calm your dog down, very similar to when humans are stressed and chew chewing gum. The bottom line is that they are stressed, unsettled and they are wandering around all day long, doing stuff… often not stuff that you want because they simply can’t settle.
“They are not bored. It’s not usually caused primarily by a lack of exercise and your canine does not need more toys or a meaty bone! In fact this can make the problem much worse! The real solution is actually so simple, straight forward, logical and not expensive…
Become the Pack Leader
“Establish your position as pack leader by asking your dog to work,” Dan explains.
“Take him on a walk before you feed him. And just as you don’t give affection unless your dog is in a calm-submissive state, don’t give food until your dog acts calm and submissive.
“YOU become the pack leader and then your dog will happily rest at home when you leave.”
Thanks, Dan, for these great tips.
“Live Free, Mon Ami!” – Brian Alan Burhoe
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Dog Training Tips: Coming Home to Doggy Destruction – What You Must Do
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