habit Archives

‘Go Away’ Barking Works. Now a Learned Behaviour

Socialisation of the right kind
They did carry him about to meet people but he shook with fear. It’s common to think that the puppy simply needs more exposure but the opposite is often the case. The experiences were negative for him.

By Theo Stewart, 7 years ago March 27, 2026

arousal, excitement

Over-Excited Vizsla Jumping at People

Why does a young dog become wildly over-excited around people?

It’s as if Willow, the over-excited one-year-old Wirehaired Vizsla, is driven by rocket fuel!

Trying to stop her being so excited

All their efforts are understandably around trying to stop Willow jumping up at people, flying all over them, grabbing feet and so on. (more…)

By Theo Stewart, 7 years ago March 28, 2026

arousal, excitement

Replacing Bad Habits With Good Habits

Why do unwanted behaviours like jumping up become habits—and how can they be replaced with better ones? Anything repeated often enough can become a habit. I totally fell in love with scruffy ten-month-old Jack Russell mix Max yesterday. I had the perfect evening with him and his humans. It began with just Read more

By Theo Stewart, 7 years ago April 1, 2026

arousal, excitement

Barks. Barking at everything. Constant high arousal

Barney barks at anything and everything. The Wirehaired Fox Terrier came to live with the lovely lady ten weeks ago, a companion for her Welsh Terrier, Lily. Barney barks for attention and simply won’t stop until he gets it. He barks at the slightest thing he may hear or see. Read more

By Theo Stewart, 9 years ago January 15, 2025

arousal, excitement

No impulse control around people. Jumps and bites.

Absolutely no impulse control around people, that is the problem. Beautiful Beau is a big strong Chocolate Labrador. He’s 9 months of age and his teeth hurt. With no impulse control, his biting and grabbing of my clothes would have been nearly constant had not the lady held him back. Read more

By Theo Stewart, 9 years ago January 9, 2025

arousal, excitement

Redirected arousal after too much play

I have just had a DIAL conversation, a one-hour chat with a couple about their two-year-old Red Fox Labrador, Saffy. I wasn’t there in person because they live too far away, but it was doable because the problem is straightforward. (This is in the days before Zoom). Some questions unearthed Read more

By Theo Stewart, 10 years ago December 20, 2024

habit

‘Go Away’ Barking Works. Now a Learned Behaviour

Over-Excited Vizsla Jumping at People

Trying to stop her being so excited

Replacing Bad Habits With Good Habits

Barks. Barking at everything. Constant high arousal

No impulse control around people. Jumps and bites.

Redirected arousal after too much play

Based in uk

NEED HELP?