To teach your pup specific behaviors
that will help him/her avoid developing annoying and/or dangerous
behavior problems.
More dogs are put to sleep annually
in animal shelters than die from diseases. Most of these dogs are
under one year of age. The reasons are many, but certainly a major
contributor to this sad state of affairs is people’s
expectations of what dogs are all about, and people’s failure to
successfully guide their pups into healthy adulthood. Many of these
dogs have not learned even the most basic manners (see
Basic
Manners page), and some have
more serious behavior problems such as aggression. and many, many
families live with dogs who have behavior problems that cause stress
within the family and, in some cases, danger to others in their
communities.
This section addresses some of the
most common behavior problems and suggests preventive measures that
can be used to avoid them.
Destructiveness
All puppies chew, dig and bark. In most cases
this is the result of boredom. Dogs are very bright, as well as energetic,
animals. To avoid annoying behaviors such as destructiveness, barking, and
digging, they must be provided with activities that exercise both their minds
and their bodies.
Daily exercise, play, and training
are critical. Provide your pup with safe, appropriate chew toys,
and restrict his/her access to items you value, such as
remote controls, shoes, clothing, purses, etc. Block off (with
temporary fencing) areas of the yard you don’t want
destroyed. Many puppies outgrow some of their tendencies to dig,
but many continue this habit because there is nothing else to
do.
If your pup spends several hours
alone while you are gone during the day, leave him/her with "home
alone toys" such as Buster Cubes, activity Balls, and stuffed
Kongs. Consider having a neighbor or pet sitter drop by and play
with the pup midway through the day.
With proper preventive measures,
we can protect our belongings as well as provide adequate
entertainment for our pups so that their teething and natural
tendencies to chew are kept to a minimum.
Aggression Around Food
Many pups have no problem
when people come near their food bowls. Unfortunately, we are
sometimes surprised to find that puppies who growl in warning when
they are young often bite when they are older.
First, teach your pup to sit
before you put the bowl on the floor. This is very easy to
teach. You can teach it separately (see Basic
Manners page), or you can
simply stand with the bowl patiently until your pup sits. Say
"Yes!" and put the bowl on the floor. Gradually increase the
amount of time you require the pup to stay sitting before putting
the food down.
Second, teach your pup that good
things happen when people (of all ages, especially toddlers and
young children) approach his/her food bowl. Take some yummy treats
like hot dogs or cheese, and toss them into the bowl while the
puppy is eating. Sit next to the pup with an empty food bowl and
fill it a few pieces of kibble at a time, sometimes tossing in
something really yummy.
Pick the bowl up and put something
great in it and put it down
Feed the pup in different
locations so she/he doesn’t become protective of one spot in
the kitchen.
Note: If you have a dog that stiffens, growls,
or snarls when you approach him/her around the food bowl or when she/he is
chewing on a toy or treat, get professional help from a positive reinforcement
trainer or behavior specialist. A more extensive behavior modification program
will be necessary.
Aggression Towards People
The reasons dogs become
aggressive toward people are many, but in many cases it is because
of an underlying fear based upon poor early socialization. The
best way to ensure that your dog is safe around people of all
types is to religiously practice a socialization program from a
very young age. See Socialization
page.
If you have a dog who
appears extremely fearful of people (avoidance, tail between the
legs, ears flattened, etc.), obtain the services of a positive
reinforcement trainer or behavior specialist. a
desensitization/counterconditioning behavior modification program
may be necessary.
Aggression Towards Other Dogs
The reason dogs become
aggressive toward other dogs is primarily because of poor early
socialization. (It can also result from a traumatic incident such
as being attacked by another dog.) The best way to ensure that
your dog gets along with others of its own species is to
religiously practice a socialization program from a very young
age. See Socialization
page. Lifelong exposure to a variety of different dogs is
important to avoiding this all-too-common problem.
Again, if you have a dog who appears aggressive
around other dogs, obtain the services of a positive reinforcement trainer
or behavior specialist. A desensitization counterconditioning behavior modification
program may be necessary.
Separation
anxiety
This is one of the most
common behavior problems presented to veterinarians. It is a
complex behavior problem that can have its root in many causes.
However, to ensure that your puppy doesn’t suffer from
anxiety when left alone, make sure that you avoid having the puppy
become overly dependent upon your physical presence. From a young
age, accustom your pup to being alone for a few hours. Start by
having your pup stay in another room of the house where she/he can
see and hear you, but not be with you all the time.
A barrier such as a baby gate can be very helpful
/
Build up to longer periods
of time and, eventually, to having your pup stay in a room of the
house where she/he cannot see you, but can hear you. Next,she/he
should learn to tolerate time alone with you in the house when
she/he cannot see nor hear you. From there, you should not have a
problem with being out of the house for short periods of time and,
eventually, longer and longer periods of time.
Many puppies suffer separation anxiety when
people bring the new puppy home over a holiday or summer vacation. The pup
is surrounded by people 100% of the time for several days (or months!), and
then when everyone goes back to work or school, is suddenly left all alone.
Avoid this scenario by implementing the steps above on a regular basis and,
minimally, several days or weeks before you return to work after a long period
of absence.
If all else fails there is
medication that is extremely helpful with this problem. ask your
veterinarian if this applies in your situation.
