Dog Vocalization - Dogs barking etc.
11.10.25
Dog Training. Dog Behaviour. The Excitable Dog If you want your dog to be calm, it’s important not to reward excited or raucous behaviour and be CONSISTENT with this. You may be doing the obvious, ‘Oh Bella* (*insert your dogs name) is barking she must want attention’ and then pat her, or perhaps less obviously, get her inside after she has just been barking at something excitedly. Also when out and about, if your dog is barking excitably, try not to let them move forward towards the animal or object they are reacting to, otherwise this can be seen as a reward for this behaviour.With training, as soon as your dog is relatively calm for a few seconds, reward them. This can be with praise – though not given too heartily as the action can excite them again, or the opening of the door to let them in, importantly though, not always with treats as this can be too high a value item to work to getting (with ‘bark, quiet, treat’ becoming the pattern). Work on extending the calmer time and varying how long your dog must calm down for, before they are rewarded (including with opening the door) Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog training and 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’ thank you 🐾
22.07.23
Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Go patrolling! Walk your property
Go patrolling! Walk the perimeter of your property with your dog at least on the daily …A couple of good reasons for this -- Even if owners have a ‘glorious looking large section,’ I have found from a great number of clients that their dogs wait to go off and ‘play' or utilize the section, until their owners get home. However once the action of patrolling starts, evidence of exploratory play increases (from toys being mangling, neighbours comments, droppings etc.)- You're doing your bit. By patrolling, you're surveying the territory for potential threats, - which could even be the neighbours pesky cat in your dog’s eyes, but this way you're on duty and can have more training control of your dog in these situations in my experience, reducing barking (you may need to address further issues here) and perhaps also aiding a sense of security here, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant, 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.
08.07.23
Dog Training. Dog Behaviour. Teaching the 'Quiet' Command to dogs.
Teaching the command “Quiet!” -When your dog is barking, growl a stern and guttural “Bah!”*Then, the instant they ARE quiet, say quiet and praise heavily. You could also reward with something high value - such as dried liver pieces or some crumbs of cheese, both being stronger smelling, so usually more attractive to dogs.Once the word association has been achieved, you can work on varying the length of the time, before you give your dog the treat for being quiet.
*Or shake a plastic bottle with pebbles in it if this proves ineffective. Or if your dog is zoning out and the barking is very intense, shake a tin (for example a Milo one) with coins in it, by your side, 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' thank you 🙂 Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Dogs whining. Whining can be occurring because of -- Attention seeking (to get treats, toys etc. from you)- Excitement - when your dog is greeting you- Appeasement (wanting to pacify or avoid conflict).With this, your dogs tail will be often tucked in under their body, which is lowered, with their head down also and eyes averted.- Separation Anxiety- Other anxiety or stress. This whining is often involuntary.- Injury or medical condition causing pain or discomfort.If you notice your dog whining frequently or suddenly starting, take him or her to the vet to get to the bottom of this.Appeasement Whining -This is a normal canine behaviour but it is also good to build your dogs confidence.Use reward based training as opposed to aversion methods and play fun games. Intimidating your dog will only decrease his or her confidence.Excitement/Greeting Whining -Keep greetings as calm and short as possible. Pat your dog only when he or she is less excited. Maybe ask for a ‘Sit’ or another ‘calm behaviour’ to be performed.Anxious Whining -It is important that the cause of the anxiety is addressed.Anxious whining is usually accompanied by other nervous behaviours such as pacing, circling and licking. The anxious dog seems to have trouble controlling their whining.Attention-Seeking Whining -Are you inadvertently reinforcing this?Any attention is encouraging the behaviour (eye contact, touch - patting, talking - growling included. As well; letting your dog out of their crate when whining, or you coming back through the door when your dog is being noisy, it’s like, “Hey you! You’ve come to say hello!!!” (Or letting them in).Instead, turn around away or completely ignore your dog. Teach them that they must be quiet before they get any attention, treats or have any playtime,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 🙂
*Or shake a plastic bottle with pebbles in it if this proves ineffective. Or if your dog is zoning out and the barking is very intense, shake a tin (for example a Milo one) with coins in it, by your side, 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' thank you 🙂 Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Dogs whining. Whining can be occurring because of -- Attention seeking (to get treats, toys etc. from you)- Excitement - when your dog is greeting you- Appeasement (wanting to pacify or avoid conflict).With this, your dogs tail will be often tucked in under their body, which is lowered, with their head down also and eyes averted.- Separation Anxiety- Other anxiety or stress. This whining is often involuntary.- Injury or medical condition causing pain or discomfort.If you notice your dog whining frequently or suddenly starting, take him or her to the vet to get to the bottom of this.Appeasement Whining -This is a normal canine behaviour but it is also good to build your dogs confidence.Use reward based training as opposed to aversion methods and play fun games. Intimidating your dog will only decrease his or her confidence.Excitement/Greeting Whining -Keep greetings as calm and short as possible. Pat your dog only when he or she is less excited. Maybe ask for a ‘Sit’ or another ‘calm behaviour’ to be performed.Anxious Whining -It is important that the cause of the anxiety is addressed.Anxious whining is usually accompanied by other nervous behaviours such as pacing, circling and licking. The anxious dog seems to have trouble controlling their whining.Attention-Seeking Whining -Are you inadvertently reinforcing this?Any attention is encouraging the behaviour (eye contact, touch - patting, talking - growling included. As well; letting your dog out of their crate when whining, or you coming back through the door when your dog is being noisy, it’s like, “Hey you! You’ve come to say hello!!!” (Or letting them in).Instead, turn around away or completely ignore your dog. Teach them that they must be quiet before they get any attention, treats or have any playtime,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 🙂
12.06.2017
What are you really encouraging?Make sure you are not inadvertently encouraging your dogs reactionary behaviour.If you are giving your dog treats while your dog is being ‘reactive’(growling, barking etc.) in an attempt to distract or ‘create a positive association’ with the people or animals your dog is reacting to, you may in fact be rewarding and encouraging that reactionary behaviour.Instead, only reward immediately AFTER your has behaved in a more positive way and is ‘relatively’ calm,
Admin - 06:55:33 @ General Training, Reactionary Behaviour, Vocalization
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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.