Article submitted by Caryl Wolff, www.DoggieManners.com

Copyright 2005, Caryl Wolff, All Rights Reserved

If your dog has a behavior problem...

What is a behavior problem?  It's the difference between what you want and what you get -- from your dog.  He's probably doing doggie stuff at what you consider an inappropriate time or place. He's not a diabolical demon planning to drive you insane.  He's just a dog doing what comes naturally.  It's basically miscommunication from human to canine.  It erodes your relationship and makes you both unhappy.  So how about teaching him what you want in a way that you both can live with.

Something to consider.  Every time your dog does what you don’t want him to do (such as jumping on people), he's getting better at jumping on people because he is practicing jumping on people -- because when he practices, he gets better!  (Think about the tourist asking directions to Carnegie Hall of a New York musician.  "Practice, practice, practice.")  Instead of thinking what you don't want, think of what you want him to do and guide him towards your goal.

Have a strategy.  When your dog does something you don’t like, you have five options:

1. Ignore it.  (For example, ignore his jumping on you when you come in the door.)  Expect it will get worse before it gets better -- that's actually a normal part of learning.  You can’t use this option if there is danger to you, your dog, or someone else.                                              
2. Redirect it.  (Give him a treat or toy when you come in.)
3. Manage it.  Put him in a situation so he can only do what you want.  (Have him on a leash so you have more control over him.)
4. Train something different.  (Train an incompatible behavior such as Sit instead of jumping up when greeting visitors.)
5. Punish it.  Punishment is the least desirable of the options.  It only stops that particular behavior as it is occurring at that particular moment.  It does not change -- permanently change your dog's future behavior.  There are definite rules for punishment that must be adhered to every time it is used -- no exceptions, whether you are present when the behavior happens or not.  It is much easier to train your dog to do what you want him to do than to punish him for his actions.

Change the word.   If your dog has not been responding to a command in the past (for example, the word “come”), start training that behavior with a new word (for example, use the word “here” instead). 

Think about your behavior.   Your dog’s refusal to respond to commands may not be “willful disobedience” on his part.  Maybe you think you are punishing him when you are actually rewarding him.  Maybe you think he is trained when he really isn't.  Whose job is it to determine whether the person at your front door is friend or foe -- yours or your dog's?  Hmmm.  

You are everything.  You should be a better reward or should control a greater reward than anything else in his world.  If he will now only work for treats, then learn how to be the leader who your dog looks to for guidance rather than just a treat dispenser.

Dissect the problem.   When analyzing a behavior problem, here’s some questions to get you started:

1. Who is present (people and animals) when the behavior occurs?
2. Where does it happen?  Does the behavior occur in all locations or only in specific locations?
3. Does the behavior occur all the time or just some of the time?
4. When does it happen?  Is there a specific time of day or specific circumstances during which the behavior occurs?
5. Are you doing something unintentionally that could contribute to the behavior?  (Are you sure?)
6. Has your dog always acted this way, or did the behavior coincide with a change of some kind in your dog’s life?
7. Are you training your dog the same way that you've always trained all your other dogs and it's not working now?  (Hint:  this is a different dog -- all dogs do not learn the same way.  Oh, and you're a different person now, too.)
8. Are you praising and rewarding enough for the correct behavior, or do you just ignore it after your dog does it correctly?  (We’re all guilty of this one.)

If you do correct.  The best time to “correct” a problem is when your dog is thinking about doing it, not when he has already begun to do it.  Most dogs will telegraph their intentions by their body language.  I'll help you learn to read your dog’s body language and then show you how to redirect him before he acts.

***Listen to your dog.  He will tell you if what you are doing is working or not.  He will tell you if he is stressed.  He will tell you if you are meeting his needs.  He will give you all the information.  Listen to him so you can both work together successfully and harmoniously.

And have patience.  Habits don't change overnight.  Give yourself and your dog a chance.

Article submitted by Caryl Wolff, www.DoggieManners.com

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