Dogs Best Friend

Dog Behavioural & Dog Training Blog/Tips

A qualified Dog Behaviourist & Dog Trainer in the Hamilton, Waikato, Tauranga and Rotorua areas of NZ since 2004.
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Visitors And Your Dog
27.04.24Dog 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 & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog training & behavioural 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,' as well, check out https://selinamcintyre.podia.com/ for some online dog behaviour training, thank you. 6.12.23Dog Behaviour. Dog Safety. Children and dogs interacting over the holiday periodWith more children interacting with dogs over the holiday period, many children I come across in my school visits say a friendly dog has a wagging tail but a tail wag does not always mean a friendly dog …The dog may have their tail tucked down low and wagging, they are a bit scared. Or when a dog’s tail is wagging up ’stiff like a board’ (almost ‘ping ping ping’) instead of ‘flowing like a wave,’ this is not a good, friendly sign!Education here is key, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant, Trainer & Author, 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. 17.11.23 Dog Behaviour. Do you want dogs to like you? Getting a dog to like you.You know those people, the ones that don’t seem to give a bar about dogs but dogs fawn all over them, there’s definitely something to it. I’m at the other end of the spectrum as far as passion for dogs but I’ve learnt a thing or two and I don’t know how many clients have said to me, ‘Wow, such and such doesn’t normally like strangers’ when their dogs have sidled up to me.Let’s look at this further -For me, I’m standing up and side on to the dog (here I'm not risking being bold over and I'm in a position of authority too) whilst giving them space - they then have more of an ability to move away if they feel the need.I’m as still as possible (those who know me, know that I’m quite animated - talking with my hands normally, so this takes some restraint).I do not make eye contact (for quite a while actually). I focus on the owner or another point I have chosen. With this, I am neither a threat nor a push over.I allow the dog to decide to sniff me first (if they want to at all). I never EVER offer the back of my hand (as seems to be a common practice). You never really know a dogs past at this point and they could have been hit with a hand. You are encroaching into the dogs space also.Finally as mentioned, dogs just ‘hang with me’ at their owners home. The last signal as part of this, was them coming up and nudging me for a pat. I was accepted, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant and Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training 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 🙂
03.10.2020
Here is some useful advice in regards to children and dogs interacting.- Children are more likely to be attacked by a dog they know. Supervision is key, do not be complacent, dogs are not fluffy babysitters. [Read More…]
15.03.2019
Is your dog scared of strangers?When interacting -Ideally, strangers should remain standing (bending over so that face and eyes are on the same level can be quite threatening to a dog) slightly side on, keeping their hands in close to their body (hands can be scary!)The person if possible, could be asked to look over at……rather than at your dogs eyes.If your dog hides behind you or moves away, that’s fine, let your dog have their space - for everyone’s well being. [Read More…]
© Dogs Best Friend Limited N.Z. 2024. Selina McIntyre of Dogs Best Friend, a qualified Dog Behaviourist & Dog Trainer in the Hamilton, Waikato, Tauranga and Rotorua areas of NZ since 2004.