arousal, excitement
Reinforcing Unwanted Behaviour Without Realising It
Lack of consistency is a problem. ‘No!’ doesn’t tell him anything specific. Grabbing his collar can result in a quick twist of his head and a snap.
Behaviour and Training
Consequences Drive Behaviour — What Freya Learned
It takes a lot more work to undo a behaviour that has been reinforced by enjoyable consequences than it does to cause it in the first place.
arousal, excitement
Stress – It’s All Down to Stress
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.
arousal, excitement
Consequence Drives Behaviour
What is behind the behaviour isn’t dominance – the puppy wanting to become Alpha – but that certain behaviours bring him the most reinforcement. When he gets a bit rough he can bank on getting rewarded in terms of attention of some sort.
arousal, excitement
Too Reliant on Commands. Billie Needs to Think for Herself
Does your dog only seem to behave when you’re constantly giving commands? The decision was that Billie shouldn’t jump up at people anymore. Up until now jumping up has been very rewarding in terms of attention. The 6-month-old terrier cross is looked at, spoken to in terms of reprimands or Read more
Aggression
Another Dog that Growls and Barks at People
Why would a friendly young dog suddenly start growling and barking at people after reaching maturity? Another puzzle insofar as it’s impossible to work out just why miniature English Bull Terrier Vinnie’s behaviour changed so drastically three years ago. The growls and barks began upon his reaching maturity A couple Read more
Aggression
Three German Shepherds Living with House Rabbits
Have you gradually stopped enjoying life with your dogs without really noticing how it happened? Sascha is a beautiful two-year-old German Shepherd who lives with GSDs black Tango (10) and Annie (4). The couple who own them run a rabbit rescue and these dogs are incredible. Rabbits are free in Read more
arousal, excitement
Sprocker Is a Handful – Jumping Up, Nipping and Stealing
Why does Milo jump up, nip and steal things despite his family’s best efforts? Milo is a beautiful 14 month old Cocker-Springer mix – and a handful! His family adopted him from Wood Green three months ago at eleven months of age. Hand-reared It became obvious very soon just why Read more
Aggression
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Redirects Onto Their Other Dog
Why does Maddie redirect onto Misty when she becomes stressed and over-excited? Over the months so much stress has built up between these two 9-year-old dogs that one redirects onto the other. Staffie Maddie is almost impossibly noisy, pushy, barking and jumping up when the lady owner has guests – Read more
Aggression
Conflict Between Two Female Cocker Spaniels
Ellie does quite a lot of growling, especially when one of the other dogs walks towards the lady (to whom Ellie will be as near as possible and who will probably be touching and tickling her). All growling is a warning of sorts unless in boisterous play (and I wouldn’t encourage that either), and should be taken seriously.