Ollin is a Xoloitzcuintli. I have never even heard of a Xoloitzcuintli before let alone visited one. Why would a normally gentle dog suddenly become possessive and agitated after a new puppy arrives? Where did the possessive behaviour come from? Ollin has been perfectly happy with her humans touching something she’s Read more
The growling, lunging and snapping had started quite suddenly three months ago when he bit the lady’s arm. He had walked away from his still full food bowl, she had walked towards him and he flew at her, biting her arm and drawing blood. It was a huge shock as he had never shown any aggression previously.
With a dog like this it’s less about dealing with the behaviours themselves beyond putting in management like blocking views out of windows, installing an outside mailbox and using a baby gate. It’s more about changing the dog’s inner emotions that drive the behaviours.
Why can a dog become more nervous even when his new owners are doing everything they can to help him? ‘Wary’ is the word I would use to best describe little two-year-old working Cocker Spaniel, Nico. He has lived with the couple in his new home for three months now. Read more
he has been doing this window-watching for much of his life. He goes mental when the postman comes up the path and will wreck the post if he gets to it. Rehearsing this behaviour constantly at home, it is little wonder that he continues to react like this to people and dogs in other places.
A friend came to the fence – someone who Finley knows. He looked happy and friendly as she said ‘Hello Finley’ and ran over to her, trailing the lead. As soon as she put her hand out over the fence however he leapt up and bit the sleeve of her coat. She narrowly missed a damaged hand and it took me by surprise also.
How do you help a new puppy settle in when there are already dogs living next door? They had picked up their new puppy, thirteen week old Maltese, Oakley, the day before I came. He now lives with a couple and their two young sons aged eleven and eight. About Read more
The problem with trying to ‘discipline’ an unruly dog is that it’s all about preventing the dog from doing unwanted things in a ‘disciplinarian’ sort of way which implies being confrontational. A confrontational approach can generate an aggressive response in a strong-minded dog. ‘Discipline’ does not teach the desired, other, preferred behaviours.
Motivation really is just the drive that makes him want to do something. It can be inspired by gaining something rewarding, like fun, food or appreciation – or by avoiding something he doesn’t like.
So far as our relationship with our dogs is concerned, the choice is a no-brainer. Reward not fear.
Why would the very protective little dog bite people at home but be friendly everywhere else? Unfortunately Max, on guard duty, has recently bitten several people including two young children and two postmen. Max, age two, was found as a stray and they understandably absolutely adore their little dog. Guard Read more