Dogs Best Friend

Dog Behavioural & Dog Training Blog/Tips

Selina McIntyre, Dog Behaviourist & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend, N.Z.
Categories
08.05.2021
04/06/22 Dogs that 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 aiding a reduction in anxiety) 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 🙂 26.02.22 Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. The 'Fake' Yawn. 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. For more dog training and behavioural tips, advice and suggestions, why not check out my Dog Behavioural and Training Blog/Tips page at www.dogsbestfriend.co.nz or my book in association with Harpercollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you. 28.08.2021
Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Tension and Anxiety. Covid 19. Your dog feeds off your emotions and intent in situations. As well and quite logically, your dogs behaviour affects you. Be it through the frustration at chewed up new sunglasses or perhaps sadness and anxiety when they too are exhibiting these emotions. This point is something to think about in the current times. You get what you reflect.
Also, pent up energy can increase tension and anxiety - manifesting in nervous behaviour.
For both your dog and yourself, get out and walk.
Many owners are underestimating the requirements in this area. For a healthy dog, of every breed, I would be recommending two walks per day. The length of each walk would then vary.* As a general rule, a large adult dog, 2 X 1 hr (minimum), medium sized adult 2 X 45 minutes and an adult small breed 2 X 25 minutes. *Taking your dog for a run for one of these sessions would then shorten the required time of this session.
Now, I know a look of shock will be on some of your faces with the above recommendations, it’s important to look to those numbers as times to aim for, but that with pent-up energy behavioural issues will be made worse. There is more stimulation (experiencing different sights, smells etc.) when you break up the day with two walks and this approach also burns more energy than a single big, less intense one. Throwing a ball or Frisbee does not calm the mind of a dog, these activities hype the dog up and we want a calm, more stable energy. Most certainly do these activities but they should not really make up the bulk of your exercise regime with your dog.
At the end of the day regardless of what is happening in the world, our dogs don’t dwell. Dogs live in the now and I think it would be great to live a bit more like that, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training tips, advice and suggestions going forward, look for my book in association with HarperCollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood' it's out now!
10.09.2020
As part of the noise aversion scenario, it is common for dogs to become sensitive to stimuli that forecast something else. For example, with a dog that is scared of thunder, they have been known to react to the air pressure dropping, which leads to the wind getting up, which often accompanies thunder. Most markedly, your dog may start to pace and whine when the wind increases. [Read More…]
21.03.2020
Your dog feeds off your emotions and intent in situations. As well and quite logically, your dogs behaviour affects you. Be it through the frustration at chewed up new sunglasses or perhaps sadness and anxiety when they too are exhibiting these behaviours. [Read More…]
02.11.2019
Fear of Noises, Guy Fawkes Prep. Part Two -- You must be the strong one.Don’t act worried about the loud bangs and squeals outside for your dog and don’t cuddle or coddle them as this can inadvertently be seen as praise for their fearful behaviour. [Read More…]
12.10.2019
Ask for ‘tricks’ to be performed at this ’stressful’ time. Shower your dog with praise and affection and some treats if the ‘trick’ is worthy when performed. The ‘trick’ is what you are praising for, not any reaction. [Read More…]
17.05.2019
Dogs that love to go out and collect items are often insecure.These dogs are frequently collecting items that the owners have touched or worn and are active in this behaviour when the owners are out.They surround themselves with a object barrier of their owners scent. [Read More…]
© Dogs Best Friend Limited 2021.