We all love our dogs but sometimes they do things that are unacceptable to us and that we don’t understand. Although it can be difficult not to get frustrated, even angry when your dog is doing things you don’t want, it’s important to remember that they don’t do it on purpose. Our dogs do not understand our human world, they only have their instincts to go by, and they react to what is going on around them at the time. These behaviours include:
There are others and if your dog has some habits you would like to change, Amichien®Bonding will help overcome these issues by only using positive reinforcement – no gadgets required. All you need is an open mind and respect for your dog.
Here are a few of the main issues I deal with:
Separation anxiety or separation related behaviour (SRB)
Dog separation anxiety or dog separation related behaviour (SRB) is very common in dogs. It is one of the main issues I help owners with. Dogs are highly social animals, and in the wild they would naturally live in family groups or packs and have evolved from the wolf, over thousands of years, to live and work with us humans. Almost every dog would choose to spend the majority of their time with their family, and most dogs love the company of other dogs. Being alone just doesn’t come naturally for most of them.
There is nothing more distressing for owners to come back home to find their dog has been stressed and anxious while they have been away, and either soiled in the house or chewed it up. For others, it is very upsetting to hear their dogs crying when they leave the house, and getting complaints from neighbours because their dog has been barking while they are away. Symptoms will vary according to your dog’s personality, in some extreme cases dogs have been known to self-mutilate when left alone.
Although dogs should never be left for too long on their own, by relieving your dog of their responsibility and following Amichien®Bonding and my program of advice, you can help them become more relaxed and comfortable with you leaving and being left alone for short periods of time. Please contact me to find out more.
Aggression
Aggression is again one of the most common behaviour issues I am contacted about. As a Dog Listener, I help clients understand why their dog is using aggression and teach them how to deal with the behaviour in a calm and consistent way. Though beforehand, I always ask that people check with their vet that there isn’t a medical reason for the aggression, especially any sudden change in the dog. Quite often physiological reasons such as pain or illness, can lead to aggressive behaviours. For instance, a dog that is in pain may start to show increased aggression towards its owners when touched, so it is important to eliminate any underlying medical issue first.
It is also important to remember that aggression is a normal part of the way all animals behave. Dogs will not normally initiate an aggressive response unless provoked or reacting to what they perceive as a danger or threat. Our dog’s ancestors, the wolves are very social creatures and only use aggressive confrontation as a last resort.
There are many different terms for canine aggression used today including:
Whatever the type, by learning and following Amichien Bonding, as long as the aggression isn’t caused by a medical issue, you can help your dog overcome the problem.
No Recall
Teaching a good recall request is vital and not only could it save your dog’s life, but it is a requirement under the law to have your dog under control when you take them out in public.
Over the years I have seen so many dogs with no recall, yet people still insist on taking their dogs out and letting them off lead when they know their dog won’t listen to them when they call, just because they feel guilty if their dog doesn’t have enough exercise. Of course dogs do enjoy exercise, however you need to keep them and others safe, so you need to take the time to teach them a good recall, starting at home first.
Remember, you need to be realistic, even if your dog has great recall at home, don’t expect the same in the park where there are lots of other dogs running around! You need to teach your dog in stages. If in any doubt, keep your dog (and others) safe and always have him on a long line when training recall, especially in unsecure areas.
With Amichien®Bonding and a little patience, your dog will return to you when you call them, willingly and because they choose to. Then you can enjoy as many long walks as you both want to.
Please enjoy these clips on recall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjpgGskVXJU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT9LYZr3xx4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3964kvhpP0
Noise Phobias
Another issue for dogs is fear of noise or noise phobias. Dogs can become fearful of any types of noise, I find the most common is fireworks, thunder and gunshots, though there are many other noises that can scare dogs. It is very distressing for both dogs and owners.
Dogs are very sensitive to sound, and can hear a much wider range of frequencies and from a further distance than humans can. So, what may seem like a quiet and far away noise to you, could be very loud for your dog.
If your dog is sensitive to a certain noise, it could be because of a bad experience in the past, or simply because they don’t understand what it is. In some cases, noise sensitivities can be brought on by pain, so as with aggression, always speak to your vet first to check for a medical reason, especially if your dog develops a sudden fear of noise.
If your dog is showing signs of a noise phobia it is important to get help before the problem gets any worse. Left untreated, noise phobias usually to get increasingly worse over time. By following Amichien®Bonding consistently your dog will trust you 100%, and then they will trust your response to the noise – so if you aren’t worried nor will they be.
Pulling on the lead
Being on lead and walking to heel is something you need to teach your dog as it doesn’t come naturally to them, it isn’t an intrinsic behaviour. Unless you teach your dog where you want them to be, which is by your side, most dogs end up taking us for a walk!
Teaching your dog to walk on a loose lead takes patience and practice, and with Amichien®Bonding, we only use positive reinforcement. Consistency is the key and if you take your time it will be well worth the effort in the end. Then going for a walk together will be a pleasurable experience for you both, as it should be.
Just a word on gadgets – these do not stop your dog pulling, they only serve to treat the symptoms and not the cause of why your dog is pulling. As soon as you remove the gadget, the dog will start pulling again. What is important is to understand why your dog is pulling, and help them change their mind by teaching them properly.
For enquiries please contact us to book an appointment, or just to have a chat to find out more about how I can help you and your dog.
