More on the “Pack Mentality”. . . .

Last month I wrote about “Unspoken Rules in Dog Communication”, (check out the archives of the monthly tail tips) where I discussed the importance of you as the calm-assertive pack leader; which is a method to claim leadership and control over your dog in training.  The first step in assuming the role of pack leader is to understand dog psychology.  We must recognize that dogs are animals and what is important to them as a species.

Dogs don’t know your name, your race, or your achievements.  You could be the president of the United States; dogs don’t know titles, but what they do know is the energy you share and the activities you participate in with them.   Dogs don’t follow emotional or lovable leaders; they follow calm-assertive leaders.  Think of the mother dog while she is giving birth, she is calm-assertive and that is the first energy that puppies experience.

You must project calm-assertive energy before you share love with your dog.  Love is a human gift; we are the only pack leader who will love our dogs.  Their canine pack leader will protect, educate and shows affection, but in this order: oohing and ahing over how cute and adorable the dog may be is a human reaction of affection not education.  Not to say you can’t ooh and ah on how cute and wonderful your dog is, but first your dog needs to receive the calm-assertive pack leader energy and then earn your affection and positive rewards.

Leadership and Love is forever.  Sometimes we get lazy and only share love and no leadership.  Once you share calm-assertive energy and your dog goes into a submissive state, then you can share love and affection.

Check next month’s tips for “The Rules and Relating to Your Dog”.

Products or man made devices to aid in interrupting aggressive barking.

Last month I talked about correcting a barking or growling problem without any devices other than you, a collar, a leash and rewards.  I also discussed the reason why a dog may vocalize, (check out the archives of the monthly tail tips if you missed). 

There are several devices that you can buy or make that can interrupt barking.  Devices activated by owners, such as water sprayers, cans with coins or rocks, audible alarms and ultrasonic trainers, are usually effective in disrupting barking and getting a quiet response from your dog.

Bark-activated products are also effective because they will immediately respond to barking.  Off-collar, bark-activated alarms, water sprayers and cans will train your dog to stop barking in specific areas.  Bark-activated collars are useful when your dog doesn’t bark in specific areas (the collar will respond when your dog barks, no matter where he is located at the time).  Audible and ultrasonic collars are sometimes effective in stopping barking, but they are rarely a completely reliable deterrent.  Citronella-spraying collars are effective with most dogs.  I do not recommend electronic shock collars since they have the potential for injury or abuse.   Make sure to discuss these options with your dog trainer or veterinarian to find the one that will work best for your dog.

All of these devices are just that… devices.  You still have to go through the work of training which barking must be interrupted right after it begins in order for the training to be effective.  Repeating this process until your dog no longer barks at the situation, person or sound is the goal.  Reward your dog when, at your request, he stopped barking.  Remember only reward the dog when he is quiet and gradually increase the amount of time that the dog needs to be quiet for him to receive a reward (such as a treat).

As the barking problem decreases, make sure to direct your dog to more appropriate behavior, such as play, and the problem should lessen over time.

Your responsibilities as a dog owner in preventing dog bites.

With the nice warm sunny spring days we are having all animals awake with renewed energy including dogs.  When the weather changes dog bites and negative confrontations increase, last month I talked about avoiding dog bites and now I would like to review how we as dog owners can prevent problems in these areas.  I call this our responsibility as good dog owners!

Studies support nearly any dog can be aggressive or non-aggressive, depending on their training and environment.  Owners play a big part in making sure their dog is safe around other people and dogs.  There are several steps you can take to help ensure that your dog isn’t dangerous.

• Restrain your dog.  Unrestrained dogs cause about 82% of all fatal bites.  Keeping your dog on a strong leash and in control is a big step toward preventing bites.  If you leave your dog alone outdoors, your yard needs to be enclosed with a 6-8 feet fence, depending on your dog’s size or an invisible underground fence.
• Socialize your puppy.  Once your pup has been fully vaccinated, take him/ her to a puppy class, the park, anywhere where she can interact with people and other dogs in a non-threatening environment.  Praise your puppy when they interact well with others.  This has to be all positive experiences.
• Spay or neuter your dog.  Intact (non-neutered) male dogs are responsible for 80% of fatal bites.  When dogs are altered, they lose some of their territorial instincts, including a lot of their territorial aggression.
• Train your dog not to bite.  Dogs will mouth, chew, and bite everything from your hands to your furniture until you teach them that it’s inappropriate.  If your dog is biting you, or growling at you or others, distract him with a quick, loud, sharp “OW”!   Praise for “No Bite” and redirect his attention to appropriate objects to chew on or play with.
• Watch your dog’s behavior.  This may be the most important part of preventing your dog from biting.  It’s easy for owners to be in denial that their sweet, furry Fido may be a threat.  But if your dog exhibits any of the following behaviors, it’s time for you to seek professional help as in a dog trainer or your veterinarian: growling at, or snapping at, or biting family members; growling or snapping at strangers; or extreme fear of strangers and other dogs.

Following these directions won’t guarantee that your dog won’t bite, but they’ll certainly make it less likely.  Any dog that is well restrained and well trained can be perfectly safe, regardless of breed.  The truth is; an irresponsible dog owner is much more dangerous than any dog.