Author C. A. Clarke
Ask any dog trainer and they'll tell you, separation anxiety is one of the toughest things to 'fix' in a dog. Separation anxiety is also one of the most frustrating issues facing dog owners. It can cause loss of sleep, heart break and stress and it can get you kicked out of your apartment. Then there is the financial cost of replacing destroyed furniture or the corresponding emergency vet bills. Not to mention the stress your poor dog is going through.
Symptoms of separation anxiety are varied but include excessive and intermittent whining, barking, and scratching. There is physical destruction of surroundings by licking, biting, and chewing. Dogs will get into garbage, break out of kennels or even the house. Some or all of these things are natural dog behaviour to some degree. You are the best judge of your dog's behaviour. When the above also includes personal injury, it's safe to assume separation anxiety and not simple boredom is involved.
Sometimes owners do not realize their dog has separation anxiety until they attempt to go away on a trip and they put their dog in a kennel. Or their kids go off to university and no one is at home during the day with the dog. The best strategy is prevention. With proper early puppy training this can be done. If it is already too late for prevention, the following three-pronged approach of exercise, diet, and leadership should help.
First, make sure your dog is getting adequate exercise on a regular basis. If you cannot run your dog in the morning before work, for example, but can in the evening, do it. It is not when in a given day that he's exercised but that he is exercised each day.
Second, providing a variety of real, wholesome foods, without additives and preservatives will help to calm your dog. That means no simple sugars or carbohydrates like rice and pasta. A raw, natural diet is best but a homemade stew with a variety of meat and vegetables is still far superior to a grocery store kibble. If you can not pronounce the ingredient on the label it could be your dog's system does not like it.
For many people diet and exercise are relatively easy to take care of but they tend to stumble on number three, leadership. At all times remember you are top dog. Being top dog does not require physical dominance over your dog. You are gaining your dog's respect. Violence and other physical techniques are not necessary.
Separation anxiety can be a matter of control. The dog wants control or feels out of control and feels the pack lacks a clear, competent leader. You can help your dog by taking control of your pack. You'll know this is your issue if you have trouble with any of the following suggestions.
Ignore your dog when he tries to get you to do something like fill his food dish, open the door, take him for a walk, or give him a treat. Ignore your dog when he tries to get you to look at him. This may include barking, pawing and jumping at you or others. Scolding him is a form of attention, don't fall for it. Those of you with kids have probably already noticed the similarities here. Do not give in. You must prevail.
While it is true dogs are social animals and prefer to be with their pack, they are required from time to time to be on their own, and should be able to do so without harming themselves or their surroundings. Remind yourself of this over and over if you feel you are being mean to your dog. If anyone gives you a hard time about this tough love approach, be sure to sign them up for babysitting your dog next time you need to leave your house!
C.A. Clarke loves dogs. For more information about natural dog food as well as straight answers to questions related to dog training and dog behaviour, please see http://www.naturaldogfoodtips.com and http://www.dogtrainingbooksinfo.com.
Sunday 6 June 2010
Saturday 5 June 2010
Dog Training to Eliminate Barking
Author Richard Shelmerdine
If you want dog training to eliminate barking then I think I can be of service to you. My dogs always barked at the start. They would go on all night and I got up dreary eyes and could not handle it. It came down to training them or getting rid and I trained them. I've never looked back since. Here are some of my top tips for dog training to eliminate barking.
Link pain to barking - You must make your dog feel pain or more accurately the feeling that pain might come from barking. This will stop him barking because all creatures live to search for pleasure and avoid pain at all costs. What you might want to do is throw water over your dog when they start barking or bang some loud pots together to startle your dog. They will understand after a while that pain or shock will come from barking.
Link pleasure to stopping barking - If your dog barks less one day then give it a treat. When it has a really loud barking day then ignore it completely and give it no attention except to give it food and water. This might be hard when he looks up at you with those puppy dog eyes but keep reminding yourself it is for your benefit and his benefit too. Eventually over time, your dog will start to understand this and stop barking altogether.
It feels amazing to get into bed at night and just know that your dog is going to be silent all night. It also stops you getting stressed about what the neighbors think. You get better sleep,, you can concentrate. The benefits are endless.
Be Consistent - you have to be consistent with your rewards and punishments for behaviors. If you are not then your dog will give you inconsistent results. This makes sense doesn't it. Keep with it and you will have results in what feels like no time.
"I bet you're searching the internet looking for the best methods to handle your dogs bad behavior for free and I totally understand that. I was in your position and all the information seemed too much and information conflicted and it was pretty annoying at the time.
Finally I just thought I'd buy something and apply it regularly and it worked way beyond my expectations. Now I have 2 dogs (both Cocker Spaniels) who I would not have recognized just 1 month ago. If you're interested in just getting this problem out of the way as quickly as possible. Click here for [http://beginnersdogtraining.blogspot.com/2009/07/simple-dog-training.html]Dog Training To Eliminate Barking
If you want dog training to eliminate barking then I think I can be of service to you. My dogs always barked at the start. They would go on all night and I got up dreary eyes and could not handle it. It came down to training them or getting rid and I trained them. I've never looked back since. Here are some of my top tips for dog training to eliminate barking.
Link pain to barking - You must make your dog feel pain or more accurately the feeling that pain might come from barking. This will stop him barking because all creatures live to search for pleasure and avoid pain at all costs. What you might want to do is throw water over your dog when they start barking or bang some loud pots together to startle your dog. They will understand after a while that pain or shock will come from barking.
Link pleasure to stopping barking - If your dog barks less one day then give it a treat. When it has a really loud barking day then ignore it completely and give it no attention except to give it food and water. This might be hard when he looks up at you with those puppy dog eyes but keep reminding yourself it is for your benefit and his benefit too. Eventually over time, your dog will start to understand this and stop barking altogether.
It feels amazing to get into bed at night and just know that your dog is going to be silent all night. It also stops you getting stressed about what the neighbors think. You get better sleep,, you can concentrate. The benefits are endless.
Be Consistent - you have to be consistent with your rewards and punishments for behaviors. If you are not then your dog will give you inconsistent results. This makes sense doesn't it. Keep with it and you will have results in what feels like no time.
"I bet you're searching the internet looking for the best methods to handle your dogs bad behavior for free and I totally understand that. I was in your position and all the information seemed too much and information conflicted and it was pretty annoying at the time.
Finally I just thought I'd buy something and apply it regularly and it worked way beyond my expectations. Now I have 2 dogs (both Cocker Spaniels) who I would not have recognized just 1 month ago. If you're interested in just getting this problem out of the way as quickly as possible. Click here for [http://beginnersdogtraining.blogspot.com/2009/07/simple-dog-training.html]Dog Training To Eliminate Barking
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)