DOG BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

Barking is completely normal among dogs but I for one know that it can get very annoying.  Fist off let’s look at why dogs bark.  Dogs use many types of vocalizations and barking techniques to communicate starting very early in life when they are puppies.  Dogs tend to make five different types of sounds: howls, growls, grunts, whines, and barks.  Which are all used to communicate different messages in certain situations.

Howling is used as a line of long-range communication.  Howling is used to signify territorial boundaries, location of other dogs, and attraction for mating.  Dogs may also howl to stimuli such as sirens or horns.

Growling occurs during many different activities.  It’s used to threaten, warn, show aggression, show defense, and to demonstrate dominance.  Growling is often used in play as well, play-growls occur in combination with a wagging tail and play bow which signals enthusiasm to engage in activity.

Grunts in dogs are equal to sighs in humans and they can be heard when they are greeting other dogs, other people, or if they are annoyed with something or someone.

Dogs whine when they are either frustrated or in pain.  Expressions of sadness can also be communicated by whining such as when they whine when you’re headed out the door without them.  Dogs tend to use whining as an attention seeking tool.  Puppies especially tend to whine when they are left alone and it is imperative you do not pamper them in these circumstances and make sure you don’t unintentionally reinforce their whiny behavior.

Finally on to barking.  Barking is the dogs main mode of communication.  Certain breeds have been bread to bark such as watchdogs and sheepdogs.  Most barking is used to alert or warn others and is used in territorial disputes.  Many dogs use barking to attract attention, play, or identify itself to other canines.  Barking also occurs in dogs from excitement, being startled, loneliness, anxiety, teasing, or simply out of boredom.

Unwanted barking in dogs is easily treated and a simply dog obedience eBook will really help you train your dog to follow your orders and respect your authority.  The key is to teach your dog to not bark as much with the correct training and techniques.  . Good luck with your training endeavors! Here is my suggestion:

Stop Your Dogs Barking Now

I enjoy walks on the beach with my dog peekay.

Need insight into behavior problems for rescue dog?

I really want to adopt a small chihuahua mix dog from a local rescue, but I’m not sure how much of the dog’s behavior can be shaped or altered with patience and training, and how much is the nature of the breed. The dog is very energetic and doesn’t show much interest in interacting with people. Not hostile, just indifferent. Dog is one year old and has had no socialization with people. Is it unrealistic for me to hope that the dog might calm down with time and training? I have not adopted the dog yet.

Answer
You can try to work with this dog, but it will take training, time and patience. There is no way to know how far you can get with it. The dog may be afraid of people so seems indifferent. Scared dogs will often zone out or shut down rather than run away or growl. They seem nicer, but they can be just as scared. Please visit this site to learn how to work with this dog should you decide to get her.

The page on games & exercises has good tips for how to start off with her.

www.fearfuldogs.com

Do not reward unwanted behavior. Ensure that you are not rewarding the very behavior you want to stop. Watch yourself, or ask someone else to observe, to ensure that you are not teaching the wrong things.

Example: Harry would go berserk, whenever the postman arrived. Mrs Jones would take him by the collar and lead him away. ‘Good boy, it’s all right, he’s gone now, good lad,’ she would say in her attempts to calm him down. Harry heard ‘Good boy’ and assumed Mrs Jones was rewarding his behavior.

Example: Flossie loved her owner’s attention, but hated fireworks. Any strange bangs would have her trembling and shaking. Mr Richards would then take her onto his knee and cuddle her, telling her what a good girl she was. Although Flossie’s fear was real, she learned that her best times were when she was afraid, as she loved the cuddles, so she began to become increasingly fearful for less reason. Avoid aggression.

As a species, we are quick to resort to aggression. When our dogs misbehave, some display of aggression from humans often follows. However, trying to hurt, frighten or intimidate our dogs is rarely effective. It can make the situation worse. The old approach of ‘show him who’s boss’, meaning to resort to something physical, has fortunately been replaced with more understanding and effective methods. It is not possible to overcome aggression with aggression. All the dog will learn is that whoever is most aggressive will win. He may back down this time, but the problem is likely to show itself in a worse form sooner or later.

Safety is essential and control measures you might want to consider may include:

• keeping your dog on a lead on f walks if he is not reliable.

• putting a muzzle on your dog at the vet’s if you know he is not good at being handled. keeping away from TV repair men if your dog does not like workmen in the house.

• taking your dog away from a situation if you are not confident with him.

Safety must always come first.

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How To Cure Dog Behavior Problems

Is spinning a bad dog behavior indicative of severe psychological problems like fear and aggression?

I adopted an American Eskimo last week that was born with one eye. Whenever she is excited or about to lie down or sit, she spins around in circles. I thought she did this to see what is around her and to prevent herself from bashing into things. However, my dog walker is of the opinion that she needs intensive therapy to “overcome this negative behavior”. This dog is so sweet, non-aggressive and gets along beautifully with my other 8 year old American Eskimo. I think I should let her spin unless it gets out of hand or she makes herself sick:) And, I don’t think therapy will help stop a one-eyed dog from spinning. Is spinning really that BAD?
She is NOT chasing her tail, she simply turns around in a circle about 5 or 6 times and then lies down, or sits or welcomes me home.

Answer
NO, she only spins becasue she has one eye and gets excited. Just like if you have a one eyed fish, they swim in circles until they adapt. Her problem is NOT behavioral, it’s physical. When she starts spinning, it’s best to just calm her down and reasure her that she’s OK. Agression is a different problem If she bears her teeth and snaps out aggressively at people, then you have to work with that problem differently. Obedience training is the best thing for any dog. I highly reccomend it.

Also, a lot of dogs spin when they are excited. It’s not that bad of a problem. It’s just how they show their enthusiasm.