Kara is a generally jumpy dog, ready to react to any sudden noise or appearance. While we can work on children specifically and traffic, this will be a lot more successful if we can improve her general nervous state.
Fred is becoming increasingly disturbed when one of the children enters the room. He growls, barks and lunges at them. He’s not yet bitten. Fred is a beautiful 15-month-old Cocker Spaniel. Now is the time to do something so it never comes to biting. For a start, they shouldn’t scold Read more…
Show Cocker Ralph is generally very friendly – but not with children. He was fine as a young puppy but very likely a child had in some way scared him during a sensitive fear period. The family doesn’t have any children so he has been unable to build any positive Read more…
This was the first online consultation I have done with a family from their car and it worked well! The three youngsters in the back, ages 10, 13 and 15, were able to take part. The reason for the session was that they want Pedro to stop growling at the Read more…
(An online consultation) As great as it sounds to have your puppy (and, later your dog) free to go where he or she likes, many first-time dog owners learn the hard way that it’s not such a good thing always. Houses today are often a lot more open-plan than in Read more…
Jango suddenly charges Jango lies where he can watch the doorway. When the children enter the room, he springs to his feet and charges at them, barking. He then uses his mouth with multiple ‘nibbles’. Fortunately no teeth (yet). It is the same when a child gets up from the Read more…
Although bold and friendly with people and other dogs, she is unfortunately becoming increasingly fearful of certain things, with new fears being added to the list as time goes by.
It’s not only people coming into their house which can cause Alfie to bark ferociously. He also barks at the young son who is unable to go up and down stairs freely without someone first grabbing Alfie and putting him into the kitchen. The couple themselves are unable to go upstairs together without Alfie creating – unless the man goes first and the lady follows a bit later.
Today it is acknowledged that early socialisation with puppies must begin way before they leave the breeder and their littermates. Being kept in kennels outside, however luxurious and warm, isn’t the same as being part of a family with lots of comings and goings and real-life experiences. It doesn’t make them fit for modern living.
I would recommend anyone buying a puppy carefully checks the breeder.
This little genius got the hang of earning clicks (hence food) in no time at all. He was lying down/getting up/lying down repeatedly, really chuffed with himself. The couple also caught on very quickly and soon the lady was teaching him to touch her hand (‘touch’) and to look into her eyes (‘watch me’). The options are endless.