barking
Dog Barking at People on Walks
turning right around and going somewhere else or even going back home isn’t an option.
Walkers like their walks to go from an uninterrupted A to B.
Behaviour and Training
Control – Carrot or Stick?
But it’s a tricky case of finding a compromise between two approaches – what the gentleman himself calls ‘carrot and stick’. The man is the stick and the lady the carrot
Fear
Scared dog. Jumpy. Nervous. Walks are a Nightmare for her.
Why would a dog that is friendly off lead become frantic and fearful on walks?
Belle was found with her siblings, at just a few weeks old, by the roadside. From the beginning,, in her loving home, the Whippet mix was a scared and nervous puppy – in total contrast to their two Labradors.
When someone comes into the house the scared dog will leap onto the lady’s lap for reassurance.
Belle is now three years old and the behaviours her fear generates are hard for her family to deal with. She is extremely jumpy and scared of many everyday household things.
It’s easy to get cross with too much barking when one seems powerless to stop it.
Emotions behind the behaviour
The main message for helping Belle is for them to consider the emotions that cause her behaviours and deal with them instead of trying to stop the actions themselves. It can help to translate it into human terms. For instance, they wouldn’t scold a child who was crying due to fear. They would address the fear itself. (more…)
Walks, walking and other dogs
Dog Reactive on Lead. Head Halter Making Walks Worse
Why would a dog be friendly off lead but reactive and uncomfortable when walked on a head halter? Beautiful Golden Retriever, Monty, really is the perfect family pet despite having a sad start to life. He’s now five. My visit was triggered by his attacking another dog on a walk Read more
German Shepherd
German Shepherd Won’t Come When Called
That Lily often won’t come when called isn’t due to lack of ‘training’. Good recall is about motivation and habit. Lily is constantly rehearsing not coming when called. She understands what is wanted and then decides to comply when she is ready.
cats
Collie Cross Feels Unsafe Around Other Dogs
Does your dog react aggressively because they simply don’t feel safe around other dogs? Roots is a delightful and friendly three year old Collie/Husky cross – with stunning pale eyes outlined in black. She had to be removed from her mother at six weeks old and they have worked very Read more
arousal, excitement
Change of Personality Outside
Previously Cleo had been a stray. Clearly she had to find her own food by hunting and scavenging and she became self-sufficient. She has a strong prey drive. As a stray she could go where she liked, she could chase what she liked and she could stop to rest when she liked. She had to look out for trouble in order to protect herself.
arousal, excitement
Manic after walks
When she gets home it takes her a long time to unwind – she is even more manic than when she started out. This is a clear indication that the walks are doing her no good at all. It’s a case of ‘less is more’ for the time being.