Dog Training Basics

Posts Tagged ‘dog behavior modification’

If your canine friend is showing signs of separation anxiety in dogs, there are several dog behavior modification techniques you can use to change his behavior. 

How To Handle Mild Cases Of Dogs With Separation Anxiety

The most important thing to do is to keep your comings and goings low-key.It’s not healthy behavior if your dog jumps around in joy at your homecomng for more than a minute. 

Too many dog owners mistakenly encourage their dogs to get too excited when they get home.  It seems harmless, but what you’re really doing is reinforcing his belief that your coming home is the highest point of the day.  The problem is that when you need to leave again, it makes it even harder for him to see you go.

Try leaving your dog with a piece of clothing that has your scent on it.  Dogs with separation anxiety often find it reassuring to sleep on an old sweatshirt or t-shirt that you’ve worn recently.

Even though you’re probably not aware of it, you’ve already established “safety cues” for your dog.  A safety cue is an action you take upon leaving that tells your dog you’ll be back soon.  For example, when your dog sees you going out with the trash, he knows you’ll be right back, and he doesn’t get upset.

A good technique is to use safety cues with your dog.  If you know you’re going to be gone for a short time, you can leave the radio or tv on, or give him a certain toy to play with.  Use these safety cues when you’re practicing with your dog so he gets to know what they are. 

Be careful though.Don’t use a safety cue like leaving the radio on for longer than your dog can tolerate, or it won’t be effective any more.  These cues are useful for shorter absences. 

Dog Behavior Modification For More Severe Cases

If your buddy has a severe case of separation anxiety in dogs, you may want to try these dog behavior modification techniques.  Keep these sessions short, but do them several times a day.

You’ll start by making a lot of noise with your car keys while you put on your coat like you’re leaving, but instead, sit down again.Do this until your dog is no longer upset by it.  Next, you’ll do these things and go to the door and open it, and then sit back down.  Again, keep doing it until your dog shows no interest.

Next, go out through the door, leaving it open, and then come back in.  The next step is to go though the door, and close it behind you.  Immediately come back in.  Progress to staying outside for a few minutes and coming back. 

Remember to keep your exits and returns very low-key.  You don’t want your dog to get excited that you’re back.  His attitude should be, “ho-hum, it’s you again.”  If your dog gets upset at any point, you’re going too fast.  Go back to any earlier step, and start again.

You can see how you’re desensitizing your dog by teaching him that you can go away for longer and longer periods of time and still return safely.

Don’t Teach Your Dog The Wrong Lessons

In conclusion, now you understand how easy it is to unknowingly train your dog to do what you don’t want him to do.  Avoid these mistakes by finding a dog training course that shows you how your dog’s mind works.  You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can deal with separation anxiety in dogs once you understand how your canine friend thinks.

If you’re dealing with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about a dog training resource that will help to solve your problem.

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of fear aggression in dogs.  Plus you’ll also know several dog training behavior modification techniques to use when dealing with this problem in your dog.

What Causes Dog Behavior Problems Like This One?

Fear aggression in dogs can have many causes.  Certain dog breeds, like the herding breeds, are more prone to this problem than others.  Neglecting to socialize your dog when he’s a puppy can contribute to canine aggression towards strangers.  Past abuse may also be a factor.

Even if puppy socialization isn’t an issue, many dogs go through a “shy” period when they hit adolescence at around six months.  It’s important to keep exposing your pup to lots of situations to avoid him becoming wary of new people and new animals.

Dog Behavior Modification Techniques

If your dog is already displaying fear aggression, here are six steps for dog training behavior modification you can use to desensitize your dog to strangers.What you’ll be doing is teaching your dog that if a stranger approaches, good things follow!

To start, you’ll need a few volunteers to act as strangers.  You dog also needs to be on a leash so he’s under your control at all times.

First, figure out which treat your dog loves best.  It shouldn’t be something he gets on a regular basis.  Steak, liver, chicken, cheese, hot dogs, whatever it is, it should be something he absolutely loves.

Second, the only time he gets this favorite treat is when a stranger is present.  You’re training your dog to associate this wonderful treat with a stranger being around.

Third, identify the trigger that pushes your dog to display canine aggression.  He may be OK if strangers are outside, but not in the home.He may find all men frightening, or just certain men, or kids of a certain age.  Do sudden movements, or somebody getting too close agitate him?  Observe him carefully to see what sets him off.

The fourth step is to expose your dog to a stranger.  Stay inside your dog’s comfort zone.  You want to move slowly so you don’t provoke him to an aggressive display.  Your dog should know a stranger is around, but he shouldn’t be overly concerned about it. 

Fifth, as soon as your dog is aware of the stranger, start feeding him treats.  Sixth, before the dog starts getting aggressive toward the stranger, you either have the stranger leave, or your and your dog will leave.

It’s very important that your dog is continuing to eat the treats.  If he won’t eat, then the stranger is too close.  If the dog isn’t relaxed enough to eat, you’re moving too quickly with the dog training behavior modification. 

Remember that you aren’t rewarding your dog for doing something right.  What you’re doing is changing his emotional state.

More Tips For Dog Behavior Modification

You’ll continue to work within your dog’s comfort zone, varying the distance the stranger is from your dog.  The stranger may be six feet away one day, eight the next, seven after that.  As long as aggressive dog behavior isn’t seen, you’re doing fine. 

Continue these steps for several weeks.  Now you’re going to start working outside your dog’s comfort zone by having the stranger come a little closer, maybe five feet away.  Keep working to reduce the distance your dog is from the stranger. 

You can see that this is a long, slow process.  It can be tempting to try to move along faster, but if you push too hard, you can undo all your hard work.  Keep the training sessions short, and end the session if your dog is getting nervous.

Do yourself a favor and find a good dog training course.  This can be a very helpful aid when using dog behavior modification techniques.  You’ll want to look for one that includes a free consultation with an experienced dog trainer so you can get help, if necessary.

Visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about dog behavior modification.

Let me ask you a simple question.  Do you know the triggers for fear aggression in dogs?  If not, then you need to read this article to learn more about this type of canine aggression.

Fear Aggression In Dogs

This is one of the most frustrating types of dog behavior problems.  Your dog may not hate all strangers; just certain ones.All men may be the object of his displeasure, or he may zero in on men who wear hats or who have beards.  He may absolutely detest kids under five, but older children are fine.  He may be fine with strangers outside the home, or he may bark at anyone who walks by the house.  

You can use dog behavior modification techniques to desensitize your dog to strangers.  But in order to do so, you need to identify exactly what it is about a stranger that’s scaring him.

Common Triggers For Canine Aggression In Fearful Dogs

Men often seem more threatening to a nervous dog than women do.  They’re bigger, their voices are deeper and louder, they may have beards or moustaches, they may wear hats.  Men have a more direct way about them.Another reason is that they make eye contact more directly, also.  Sometimes a man may remind your dog of someone who scared him or abused him in the past.

Just the presence of children is sometimes enough to send a fearful dog over the edge.  Their voices are high-pitched, and they move quickly and unexpectedly.  They’re sometimes attached to scary things like skateboards and roller blades.  Small children may come with noisy toys, which can be terrifying to a dog who’s nervous to start with.  

Kids also have a tendency to grab dogs with no warning and hug them.This behavior can be dangerous with an unfamiliar dog.  Most dogs don’t like to be hugged anyway.  Teach your children never to hug a dog, especially one they don’t know.

Any dog finds it threatening if someone makes prolonged eye contact with him.  This is especially true with a nervous, fearful dog.  Avoid looking a strange dog directly in the eye.  Look down or to the side instead.

Someone who’s just walking down the street fast or very slowly can be scary, too, especially if they appear to be coming right at your dog.  Anything out of the ordinary can be unsettling for him.

Odd movements like somebody waving their arms around, or jumping up and down, will also get a fearful dog’s attention.If the stranger brings unfamiliar smells, like beer or cigars, your dog may be scared, too.

Sometimes it’s not something as obvious as any of these things. You’ll need to spend some time watching your dog and making notes of which trigger, or combination of triggers cause him to display fear-based aggression towards strangers.

Dog Behavior Modification Can Help

Punishing a dog who displays canine aggression towards strangers doesn’t work.  Dogs learn by associating things.  So punishing a dog who’s already aggressive towards strangers only serves to teach the dog that strangers really are bad.  He gets the idea that if a stranger shows up, he gets punished, so he gets even more aggressive towards new people.

What you need to do is to desensitize your dog to strangers.  You do this by associating strangers with good things, like tasty treats.  Dog behavior modification is a long, slow training process that can’t be rushed.

A good dog training course can be worth its weight in gold when working with a fearful dog.  When looking at courses, you’ll want to choose one that has lots of good testimonials from dog owners who have used the course material.  It’s also important to find a course that includes a free consultation with an experienced dog trainer.  Another essential feature you’ll appreciate is a dog owner forum where you can ask questions, and talk to other dog owners who have solved the same problem with their dogs.

This is the easiest way you’ll find to to deal with fear aggression in dogs.

Visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about fear aggression in dogs.