Embarrassing Antics Our Dogs Get Up To ...
28.06.25
Dog Training. Dog Behaviour. Dogs jumping up on people.
Dogs jumping up on people -Firstly, always give your dog the opportunity to ‘Do Good’ and ask for a ‘Sit.’ In the early stages of training, you could reward your dog every time for sitting, then gradually introduce random rewards but praise every time.Voices should not be raised or arms moving around as both will stimulate your dog more. With this, ask visitors to fold their arms and turn around away from your dog. Pushing a dog down/away often ends up creating a rebound effect, with the dog coming back to get this attention. If the problem is persisting or is very intense, you could try one of these two options –Using an obliging visitor - the instant your dog begins jumping, get your visitor to silently turn around and walk away. Ideally they avoid making eye contact.The visitor then waits, still facing the other way until your dog has calmed down. They then about turn and try again with their approach. This can be repeated until your dog has stopped their jumping (usually this process takes mere minutes).Your dog is trying to gain attention, so if you reward them with this - even the odd time, you are then encouraging the behaviour.Now, you can also use short periods of ‘Time Out’ for intense jumpers. This just means, as soon as you witness your dog jump up (a single jump is enough) immediately isolate them for just a few minutes - paying them no attention while they are away; no ‘growling’ and avoiding eye contact if they can see you. *However, do not let your dog out if they are barking or whining etc. otherwise these behaviours become the ‘push button,’ ‘I’ll get let out if I do these things….’ If you bring your dog out and they jump up once more, immediately take them away again for the few minutes. This process is repeated until your dogs jumping ceases. Your dog needs to learn this consequence to action and it usually comes about at a speedy rate if done consistently, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant and Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog training and behavioural tips, advice and suggestions, why not check out my book with Harpercollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🐾
23.12.23Dog Behaviour. Dogs weeing when they greet visitors.With visitors coming and going at this time of year I thought it might be helpful to discuss, ‘Dogs weeing when greeting visitors…’Yes yes this may be a tad embarrassing for you the owner butthis can be submissive or excitement urination from your dog.For this issue, PUNISHMENT WILL MAKE THIS WORSE NOT BETTER!Excitement Urination - It’s like, ‘I’m so excited I peed my pants!’Excitement urination is seen particularly in young dogs who haven’t developed their muscle control, so gets better over time. Take your pup for more frequent walks to empty their bladder and try to always greet your dog calmly or not until they calm down. Then if needed, clean up their mess and ignore the action.Submissive Urination -Again this is more common in young and also female dogs but your dog will be showing what are called ‘appeasement’ signs - a lowered body, flattened ears, rolling over, as well as licking and looking away. It is good to approach these dogs from the side and in a quieter, gentler way.Again if urination does happen, do not react verbally or physically, just calmly clean up the mess if need be, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training tips, advice and suggestions, why not check out my book in association with Harpercollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you.
24/08/22
Dog Behaviour. Why do dogs roll in feces?
A smelly topic but, recent studies suggest that for dogs, rolling in large predator feces may inherently help camouflage them from larger predators (in more wild situations these could be Mountain Lions etc).Also when rolling in prey feces, it may be a way for the dog to carry information to other pack members about where they have been and what they have found (oooh look, I found that an elk had been here for example) Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training advice, tips and suggestions, why not check out my book with HarperCollins, ‘Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🙂
17.08.2019
Inappropriate Dog Mounting/Dog Humping -It is important to remember that dogs do not share our views on what is anti-social behaviour. Or behaviour that is a little too friendly.A dog mounts/humps because he or she is aroused and that does not have to be sexually aroused. [Read More…]
Admin - 12:59:25 @ Embarrassing antics our dogs get up to..., Why does my dog?
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Selina McIntyre of Dogs Best Friend, a qualified Dog Behaviourist & Dog Trainer in the Hamilton, Waikato, Tauranga and Rotorua areas of NZ since 2004.