Welcome to dog behaviour
Dog Behaviour Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Dog Behaviour. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Helping A Battered Dog Gain Confidence By Using Nonphysical Methods
from:A dog that has been over-punished lacks self-confidence. Therefore, such dogs should be allowed to succeed. This is fortunately a simple process with dogs. They are dramatically quick to learn from people when taught by nonphysical methods. Even a simple 3-part exercise, performed daily, can bring about a behavior change in a few days. All that is needed is to crouch down, say "Rover, come," and heartily praise when it responds, even if it only looks at the owner. If the pet urinates on the way, the praise must be continued. The wetting usually disappears as confidence improves. When the dog comes all the way, it should be petted, preferably on the throat and chest to eliminate fear responses that may be caused by hands over or on top of its head. Most shy dogs usually come readily to a crouching figure.
The "Sit" command is simple, once the pet comes dependably. A hand is held up over the dog's rump as the words "Rover, sit" are spoken. The dog usually looks upward, and should be praised by happily saying "Good, sit," but without bending down or petting. If this is patiently repeated a few times, most dogs will sit down. The spoken praise should be followed by petting. It is important not to bend over from the waist to pet shy dogs, as this movement often signals possible punishment. Crouching avoids bending over, and is friendly and reassuring. Pushing down on its rump, holding, or otherwise manipulating the pet must be avoided. Physical force is at the root of most submissive behavior and interferes with effective learning.
The second part of therapy requires that owners avoid punishing the pet. If other behavior problems exist, these must be resolved using nonphysical methods and as light as possible. Self-control is a major challenge to most dog owners; however, after they see the progress usually achieved in a few days, their feelings that the pet "needs to be told it has done wrong" usually crop up. Any backsliding on the owner's part is quickly reflected by regression in the dog. This feedback provides an effective control mechanism to which most owners are highly sensitive.
A third step in correction is used for dogs that respond submissively to persons outside the family. If a few friends are gathered to reinforce the owner's teachings, the dog usually responds satisfactorily. Correction in most cases requires only a few minutes on 2 or 3 occasions. Older dogs with a persistent problem may require longer training periods. This approach to correct overly submissive behavior in shy dogs assumes the pet is healthy, so that no possible organic influence interferes with the learning capabilities of the animal. Total rehabilitation can be expected in 6 weeks when the process is carried out daily.
Dog Behaviour News
CLEVER DOG BY SARAH WHITEHEAD (Collins £14.99) - Daily Mail
 Daily Mail | CLEVER DOG BY SARAH WHITEHEAD (Collins £14.99) Daily Mail For the rest of us besotted owners, our darling dogs enter our hearts and form a magical, almost mystical, bond. But what if the bond goes pear-shaped? Enter Sarah Whitehead, world expert in the new science and psychology of dog behaviour and a ... |
Training 'a necessity' for young dogs - Swell Pets
 Swell Pets | Training 'a necessity' for young dogs Swell Pets Training is key to preventing dogs from developing aggression or behavioural problems and must be taken seriously, according to the PDSA. The PDSA has urged owners of young dogs to ensure their pet receives proper training from an early age to prevent ... |
Police dog attack sparks Vancouver lawsuit - CBC.ca
 CBC.ca | Police dog attack sparks Vancouver lawsuit CBC.ca King made no excuses for Evans's behaviour the night he was arrested, saying his client had been visiting his sister and was trying to get home when he became frustrated with buses passing him by. Evans admits he smashed the front of a bus with his ... Man, backed by Pivot Legal Society, sues city of Vancouver after police dog ... |
From pets to potential champions - Portsmouth News
 Portsmouth News | From pets to potential champions Portsmouth News And owners and their dogs must walk in a certain way at a certain pace with the dog just in front and to the left. Neil, who lives in Portsmouth, warns that there's plenty of bad behaviour at the biggest star-studded events – from the owners, ... |
Dogs damage swing seats in Kirklees palygrounds - Huddersfield Examiner (blog)
Dogs damage swing seats in Kirklees palygrounds Huddersfield Examiner (blog) This sort of damage to playground equipment goes well beyond the bounds of playful behaviour. The cost to the local taxpayer of this unimaginably stupid practice is £10000 in seat replacements. The cost to a child were a dog, excited by this sort of ... |