General training info

[Sarah]

* A great number of puppy and dog behavioral problems are the result of separation anxiety.

* Many behavior problems (such as barking, biting & digging) stem from a lack of communication, or miscommunication between you the owner and your dog. Simply put, your dog is not aware of what is expected of him/her (I'll just say him from now on to make it easier).

* Applying some proper obedience training at an early stage is a most effective technique to correct any behavior problems, and also to prevent any future problems. The fact that you are reading this page possibly means it is too late for this tip!

* Set boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behavior for your dogs, and stick to them. Be consistent, make it simple for your dog:

o Be clear that you are always the alpha dog or leader in your owner-dog relationship.

o Make it clear to him what is unacceptable behavior - every time.

o Make it clear to him what is acceptable behavior - every time.

* Even though it may seem as though your dog is behaving poorly to spite you or annoy you this is not the case. In the vast majority of problem behavior cases there will be a cause or trigger which sparks the behavior. Identifying these triggers is the crucial first step towards solving the problem.

* Be careful you are not inadvertently rewarding the very behavior you are trying to eliminate. An example of this would be if your dog is barking excessively outside, you then go to the door and call him inside. You're encouraging and rewarding the behavior, and he is sure to do it again!.

Dog Behavior Training Can Make An

Enormous Difference To Your Dog's Life

It's a sad fact of life that the vast majority of dogs that end up in animal shelters (or worse) are there because of a bad behavioral problem. It doesn't have to be this way, most problems (like aggression and destructive behavior) are at least manageable through proper dog behavior training.

If you consistently apply the proper training techniques and add some commitment and patience, you will achieve pleasing results with your dog.