Why Does My Dog?
10.05.25
Dog Behaviour. Dogs rolling in faeces.
A smelly topic but, recent studies suggest that for dogs, rolling in large predator faeces may inherently help camouflage them from larger predators (in more wild situations these could be Mountain Lions etc).Also when rolling in prey faeces, 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 (like ‘Oooh look, I found an elk had been here’ for example) Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant and 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 🐾
23.11.24
Dog Behaviour. Dogs whining. Your dog's 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 often be tucked in under their body, which is lowered, with their head down also and their eyes averted.- Separation Anxiety- Other anxiety or stress. This whining is often involuntary.- A injury or medical condition causing pain or discomfort.If you notice your dog whining frequently or the whining starting suddenly, take them 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 aversive methods and play fun games. Intimidating your dog will only decrease their 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 same goes for letting them in).Instead, turn around away or completely ignore your dog here. Teach them that they must be quiet before they get any attention, treats or have any playtime,Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant and 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 🐾
24.08.24
Dog Behaviour. Dogs Eating Grass.
Why does my dog eat grass?Firstly, it's important to observe if your dog is actually consuming the grass or just chewing on the blades. If chewing is occurring, this can be a form of olfactory ’smelling’ the deposits on the grass - who has been there etc.If your dog is consuming grass -This is considered ’normal’🙂Grass aids digestion and helps treat intestinal worms. Grass also provides dietary fibre.Though, the more grass consumption is seen, perhaps the more the dog is in need of aide for body upsets, 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’ as well, check out https://selinamcintyre.podia.com/ for some online dog behaviour training, thank you 🐾
06.07.24
Dog Behaviour. Dog's mounting.
Inappropriate Dog Mounting It's important to remember that dogs don't 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. Arousal is a broad term that basically means your dog is in a heightened or charged state and this also covers stress and excitement.Do not growl at your dog for mounting.It can be important to find a stress or anxiety relieving alternative, some dogs have comfort toys they like to suck on for example (the favourite ‘Fluffy Duck’).Dogs will also react when their owners are stressed or there are changes in their environment. For example, I've seen mounting increase when new babies have come on the scene, with this, the dog is usually getting less attention and the environment can be stressful, 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’ as well, check out https://selinamcintyre.podia.com/ for some online dog behaviour training, thank you 🐾
01.06.24Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Stress in Dogs.Some signs of stress in dogs -When faced with an unwelcome situation, dogs may ‘escape’ by focussing on something else. They may sniff the ground, groom themselves or simply turn away.Dogs can also use appeasement/calming gestures when they're feeling stressed, uncomfortable, or scared. Yawning or lip licking by a dog lets a person or another animal know that they're of no threat. A dog who is being approached by another dog may turn their eyes away, whilst licking their lips. This lets the other dog know they come peacefully. A dog may also do this if scolded or punished by their owner. They're saying, 'Look, I intend no harm.'Dogs may also use appeasement/calming gestures as part of a distraction. When your dog is confused or stressed around what you're asking of them, they can begin to maniacally scratch, 'distracting you' in the situation. For example once they understand the new command, or their stress level drops, the scratching stops. If, however, your dog begins to lick their lips and yawn, it's likely they're feeling a higher level of stress than usual and you should not push the interaction, giving them time to relax - the ‘fake yawn’ is one way a dog’s body relieves stress, 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’ as well, check out https://selinamcintyre.podia.com/ for some online dog behaviour training, thank you 🐾
13.04.24Dog Behaviour. Dogs that take/collect items. Dogs that frequently go out and collect items are often insecure. These dogs are regularly collecting items that the owners have touched or worn and are active in this behaviour when the owners are out. They surround themselves with an 'object barrier of their owners scent.' Great absorbent material for this scent includes - tissue paper, books and T.V. remote controls - which have little gaps around the buttons to capture skin cells. These items also get reduced in size (chewed up) so they can be spread out, to form a greater barrier (as well as the chewing producing the feel good chemical, serotonin - aiding a reduction in anxiety) Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural & 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,' or my online Canine Behaviour Seminar Downloads, available at https://selinamcintyre.podia.com/thank you!
13.01.24Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Did your young dogs fear seem to come out of nowhere? Let’s talk ‘Fear Impact Periods’…Fear Impact Periods -In general, the more independence a dog achieves with maturity, the more cautious they become about the unfamiliar. This change is thought to be as part of preparation for individuals to become functioning hunters in the pack (and you don't just wander up casually to that big animal do you?) During these distinct periods, dogs may become fearful of situations they once appeared to be accepting of, finding things more threatening.We’ll start with the second fear impact period as this is when you are likely to bring your pup home;The Second Impact Period —From approximately eight to ten weeks of age. Also called the ‘fear of situations period.’ During the Second Fear Impact Period it is important to avoid exposing your puppy to traumatic experiences (a long, winding car journey or air freighting your puppy for instance).The Third Fear Impact Period —Six to fourteen months. This is not so much one continuous period as a series of short periods, popping up every once in a while.This fear period is related to sexual maturity and growth spurts. Because of this, it usually occurs later in large breeds (who reach maturity later). Reactivity increases during this time. Territorial behaviour may show itself because strangers are potential threats to the fearful dog, particularly on the home property. In this period in the wild dogs are permitted to go hunting. During this time it is important to stay with the pack for safety. The puppy learns to run away if something unknown approaches them.Also during this period an owner may be dealing with a dog barking, lunging and pulling on their lead. You can see why owners get worried about their dogs behaviour around this time.There is a Fourth Fear Impact Period in early adulthood. This is where levels of aggression may increase as well as protectiveness and territoriality.With these periods, as with the management of fear generally, you can get what you reflect, so it is important to act calm (yes you may be acting). For example, do not put tension on your dogs lead around other dogs or children, and try not to tense up yourself.The key here is to build confidence in your canine companion. Don’t force situations upon them but don't ‘bubble wrap’ them either - let them explore and praise this effort, 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.
02.12.23Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Who is your dog? Know and appreciate your dog.It is best to know your dogs rough breed type and then appreciate all that this or these breeds bring to the table in regards to behaviour. Yes every dog is unique but genetics plays a huge part in behaviour. I get clients that say, gosh my Terrier really likes to go for cats, well, although all dogs chase, terriers, herding breeds and sight and scent hounds are genetically geared for chasing.Now, we can look at ‘behavioural issues’ but for some of these, underlying drivers are still present and simply must be taken into account.Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Huntaway’s, Kelpie by their very nature have a job to do and this is not innately as a pet but as a great help to the farmer.Guard dogs like the Rottweiler, Maremma Sheepdog and Great Pyrenees have been bred to protect livestock.Dogs that are of traditional working types can require increased energy investment from you to fulfil their needs, if they are not expending their mental and physical energy working. It is important to investigate this, to truly provide for your loving companion, 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 in association with HarperCollins 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🙂
24.12.22
Dog behaviour. Dog training. Why does my dog wee when greeting visitors?
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.
08.05.2021
The ‘fake yawn’ is one way a dogs body relieves stress.He or she may have ‘had enough’ or is getting frustrated in a situation.They may be highly aroused in anticipation of an event, such as, ‘’I’m waiting, waiting, for that food bowl to be put down….come on!”It pays to look at the overall situation to gain clearer insight as to the route cause of the ‘fake’ yawn but worth then addressing, if this is a stressful situation/event requiring resolution, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. F
Admin - 08:36:31 @ Stress in Dogs, Why does my dog?
23.05.2020
A sign that a dog is antisocial about other dogs, is that he or she is uncomfortable about being sniffed at their rear end.Think of the refusal of the rear sniff as the equivalent of the snub of the hand shake in human interaction - it’s quite a big deal!Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend.
Admin - 06:30:52 @ Dog 'Ownership' Helpful Tips, Reactionary Behaviour, 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.