|
Eliminating Problem Dog Behaviors - Jumping And Roaming
Every dog owner must eventually deal with some unwanted
behaviors on the part of their four legged companions. Some of
the most frequently encountered training problems with puppies
and dogs alike are jumping on people and performing those
amazing feats of escape.
Jumping up on people
Jumping up on people can be a cute trick for puppies, but it
quickly becomes a problem behavior as the dog gets older, larger
and heavier. A very heavy dog can easily knock a child or even a
small adult of his or her feet, so jumping on people can be a
dangerous problem as well as an annoying one.
The reason puppies and older dogs jump on people is obvious -
they are excited and happy to see them. Many people are
reluctant to discourage this exuberant behavior, but it is
important to redirect that happiness and energy in other ways.
Many well meaning owners, family members and friends
inadvertently encourage this jumping up behavior by picking the
puppy up, kissing it or otherwise providing encouragement.
This type of inconsistency is anathema to proper dog training,
and in order for the dog to be trained not to jump, every member
of the family must recognize and accept the importance of the
training. If one member of the family allows the dog to jump up
while other family members do not, the dog will understandably
become confused and frustrated. The training must be firm, kind
and consistent in order to be effective.
One way to redirect the dog's happiness and excited ness from
jumping is to teach him to lift his paw when greeting you. This
"shaking hands" posture is an acceptable way for the dog to show
his happiness and his respect. Many people even teach their dogs
to do simple tricks, like rolling over, instead of jumping on
people.
Escaping and roaming the neighborhood
A responsible dog owner would never dream of allowing his or her
dog to roam the neighborhood freely. Allowing a dog to roam on
its own is irresponsible, dangerous (to the dog and the
neighborhood), and probably even illegal. Most towns have
ordinances which prohibit dogs from being allowed to roam around
free, so you could be in legal trouble if your dog is found
wandering the neighborhood unattended.
Of course sometimes that wandering dog is not the owner's idea,
and many dogs perform amazing feats of escape when left on their
own. The temptations for unattended dogs are many, including
passing bicycles, joggers, children, cats and other dogs. It is
much easier to prevent escapes than to recapture a loose dog, so
let's talk about some preventative measures every dog owner can
take.
Removing the motivation to escape is a big part of the solution.
A bored dog is much more likely to spend his day plotting the
great escape. A dog that is surrounded by everything he or she
needs, like lots of toys, a soft bed, and plenty of fresh clean,
water, is more likely to spend his or her day contentedly
sleeping or playing with toys until the owner returns.
In addition, a dog with lots of pent up, unused energy is likely
to try to escape. Try incorporating several vigorous play
sessions with your dog into your daily routine. Make one of
those play sessions right before you leave. If your dog has a
chance to work of his or her energy, chances are he or she will
sleep or relax much of the day.
Of course dealing with the dog is only half the problem. It is
also important to make the property as escape proof as possible,
through proper fencing and other measures. For dogs that dig, it
may be necessary to extend the fence underground by placing
metal stakes in the ground every few feet. For dogs that jump,
it may be necessary to make the fence higher. And if none of
these measures work, it may be necessary to confine the dog to
the house when you are not at home.
About the author:
Dog lover Dawn Keadic appreciates the benefits of a well-trained
dog. There is no nicer compliment than "Wow, your dog listens
well, how did you train him?" Dawn shares some secrets of having
a well-behaved dog at Puppy Training.
Dawn Keadic
More Articles
Could a German Shepherd be the right dog for you? - Clive Chansa
The German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian or Schafer(hund)) is an
intelligent breed of dog. Because they are eager to please, they
are easily trained in obedience and protection. The German
Shepherd Dog is a large, strong, substantial-looking dog.
...
Dog Breeds - Steve Wilcott
Experts disagree on the exact number, but estimate there are more than 300 breeds of dogs. Each is valued by someone or by a group of people. In fact, they exist because they were bred to have characteristics that make them well suited for specific...
Dog Beds for Larger Dogs - Ken Marlborough
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and planning when owners purchase a permanent dog bed. Even though large dogs can be just as lovable as their smaller canine counterparts, they require a more complex sleeping situation than small...
Flea Control for Dogs - Matthew Seigneur
There are many different methods of flea control. If you have a dog, flea control is an important part of being a responsible owner. After all, no dog likes to have fleas, but often it happens anyway. For most dogs, an occasional flea dip, or a...
4 Things Frustrated Dog Owners Should Know - Mark Eckenrode
4 Things Frustrated Dog Owners Should Know by Mark Eckenrode You’ve probably had a day or two when you felt like your dog just wasn’t paying any attention to you at all, right? You talked, you yelled, you shouted, maybe you jumped up and down and...
How to Find a Certified Dog Trainer - Katie Brandt
Are you in the market for a dog trainer? Do you want your dog to
learn from a top notch certified dog trainer? You may have
dreams of seeing your dog in professional dog competitions and
shows. Therefore, you need to have your dog trained by...
Dogs In The Cartoons - Kirsten Hawkins
America loves dogs in films and on television. We also seem to love dogs in the pages of the Sunday funnies and in animation. To list all of the cartoon dogs that have made some kind of impact on American pop culture could fill an entire book. Here,...
Canine MD: Eight Ways a Dog Improves Your Child's Well-Being - James Jacobson
Some of our favorite childhood memories involve dogs. But did you know that warm feeling is based in good science? Here are eight ways a dog improves your child's health and well-being.
Dogs enhance your child's cognitive and social development....
Shih Tzu - For The Love Of Dogs - Connie Limon
I have wondered just who are the ancestors of the shih tzu. Like all other dog breeds, shih tzu ancestors most likely come from five choices: Grey Wolf, Golden Jackal, Coyote, African Wild Dog. It is hard to imagine our little shih tzu baby dolls...
What Supplies Will You Need for a Dog? - Katie Brnadt
The time has come. You have stopped by the pet shop every day on
the way home from work to dote on the cute puppies in the
window. Normally you return home with the thoughts of a cute
puppy scampering down your hallways. Well, today you did it....
|
