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Dog Behavioural & Dog Training Blog/Tips

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Selina McIntyre, Dog Behaviourist & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend, N.Z.
14.05.2022 Lead length and pulling on the lead when walking multiple dogs. Pulling on the lead tips. Different lead lengths can be beneficial to stop pulling when you are walking multiple dogs ... Your multi dog household's heirachy can affect the position they want to be in when out walking on the lead. Trying to stick to your idea around where an individual should walk may actually be adding to your frustrations. With this, IT IS OK FOR YOUR DOG TO BE OUT IN FRONT OF YOU when out walking on the lead. They simply should not be pulling on that lead (trying to get you to go in the direction they want to go). The lead should be fairly loose. Think about a musher and sled-dog team and the control that they have at the end of the sled.As for other tips to help ease pulling on the lead - Start the walk as you want it to continue. Your dogs should be relatively calm (any dog is going to have a raised level of energy and excitement at the start of a walk). Do not let them get over excited again, even if you have to wait. Once out the door -You can become unpredictable on your walks. Your dogs will have to listen to you, so that they know where they're to be going. They will never know when you are going to turn or where you are off to next. Heartily praise your dogs when reacting well and staying close. You can also praise and perhaps reward occassionally, any eye contact or interaction on the lead. Your dogs will be encouraged to watch you.Anticipate distractions and praise/reward your dogs upon them successfully walking by these, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training advice, tips and suggestions, why not visit your local bookstore for my book with Harpercollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🙂 26.03.22 Do small dogs need to go for walks?The Walk -The walk is the best form of mental stimulation. With this, pent up energy of mental or physical forms has been linked to tension and anxiety. There is more stimulation (different sights, smells etc.) when you break up the day with two walks and this also burns more energy, than a single big less intense one.The walk with you can be primal bonding time, where you demonstrate you have what it takes to confidently lead, ‘Out in the big wide world.’ We can compare the walk to, going off ‘On the hunt.’Throwing a ball does not calm the mind of a dog, these activities hype the dog up and we are wanting a calmer, more stable energy. Most certainly do these activities but they should not really make up the bulk of your exercise regime with your dog.I would suggest, even for a small dog such as a Yorkshire Terrier (adult) he or she should be getting two, twenty minute walks per day.Remember, most dogs are confined to increasingly small property sizes and the walk breaks up a long day of monotony for many, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant and Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training advice, tips and suggestions, why not visit your local bookstore for my book with Harpercollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🙂 Think about this now with your new pup, it affects behaviour for life :The Critical Socialization Period -This is such an important topic that I have to discuss with the majority of my clients. The Critical Socialization Period is the first 16 weeks of your pup’s life. This is when the foundation associations are made with his or her world, when your dog’s ideally have nothing but positive experiences with as many different stimuli as possible, including everything from animals to noises (here your dog can experience fireworks early in the form of noises on an App. for example) and different ages and races of people, waterways and other environments, electronic devices, vehicles, you name it. Socializing your pup during this time in particular, is a huge part of raising a happy and well-rounded dog. A dog that can venture out with you in the world, leading a full and rewarding life. *Now you might be thinking, what about the risks of Parvo Virus? We held Trev and Lily up in our arms in public spaces that unknown (and possibly un-vaccinated) dogs may have ventured. You could use a doggy trolley or a push chair if needed. I know this may seem extreme but the risk of your dog developing a fear response/aversion to a stimuli that they have not been exposed to sufficiently your pup is living and learning among a human family (integrated into family life, not just living out the back in a kennel) for ‘family dog’ skills to be learnt in this period. If you buy a puppy from a responsible breeder the breeder will be practicing socialization acts also, including gentle handling, exposing the pup to different sensory experiences – different noises, textures underfoot and to nuzzle into etc. 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 Dog Behavioural and Training Blog at www.dogsbestfriend.co.nz head into your local bookstore for a copy of my book in association with Harpercollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you :-) 11.09.21 Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Observing your dog on the walk. How much do you watch your dog when he or she is on the other end of the lead? Maybe it’s the Behaviourist in me but I was thinking about it and I really do spend A LOT of time observing Trev and Lily’s behaviour at the other end of their leads and I believe this does help us.This observation has been organically occurring - and perhaps more intensely with two dogs on two leads - the potential for ‘entanglement.'I observe everything from where their ears are pointing - so what either dog is interested in.How tense/relaxed each body is, how high they are walking - for their ‘interest in factor’ and so on.My real point is, BE PRESENT, OBSERVE, it may just prevent a problem situation (the chasing of cats etc.) developing in the long run.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 Dog Behavioural and Dog Training blog at www.dogsbestfriend.co.nz or going forward, head into your local bookstore for a copy of my book in association with HarperCollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🙂 04.09.21 Dog Training Tip. Dog Behavioural Tip. Stopping dogs from pulling on the lead. Firstly, it is ok for your dog to be walking in front of you when out walking on the lead. They simply should not be pulling on that lead (trying to get you to go in the direction they want to go) - the lead should be fairly loose. Think about a musher and sled-dog team and the control that they have at the end of the sled.With the walk, start as you want it to continue.Your dog should be relatively calm (any dog is going to have a raised level of energy and excitement at the start of a walk). Do not let your dog get over excited again, even if you have to wait. Then out the door -You can immediately come to a stop when your dog is is pulling. You would be telling them pulling is ok if you let them continue, even if you only do this sometimes. Praise your dog and every so often offer a super tasty treat (such as dried liver) when they come back towards you, ideally making eye contact.This is the greatest method I have found to stop a dog from pulling because your dog is figuring out the very real consequence all for themselves. They do not get anywhere when they lunge forward and you gain control at the end of the lead.You can also become unpredictable on your walks. Your dog will have to listen to you so that they know where they are going. They will never know when you are going to turn or where you are off to next. You can also step towards them, do a figure of eight etc. Praise your dog heartily when they are reacting well and staying close.You can also reward any eye contact or interaction on the lead. Your dog will be encouraged to watch you. Anticipate distractions and reward your dog (as long as it’s great and immediate, this could be playtime with you or a toy…) when they successfully walk by, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant and Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. Going forward, for more dog training and behavioural tips, advice and suggestions, head into your local bookstore for a copy of my book in association with HarperCollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🙂 21.8.21 Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Dogs and Covid Lockdown Going back into lockdown, it may feel like we're back in the twilight zone and your dogs will also be feeling things have changed.I'm sure you will be quick to notice the increase in both people and dogs out walking in these times, exercising and seeking respite from the confines of home. I’ve learnt that some of these people don’t normally walk and for some of these dogs, they don’t normally get out either (son I am very pleased they are having these experiences). With this though, we encounter more excitable, ‘pully’ dogs on the lead and also people that are aversive to dogs getting some fresh air in (it does appear to be this, as opposed to the two metre rule practice). These examples feed into my philosophy that you get what you reflect with dog behaviour, and so when your dogs ‘interact’ (even at a distance - where a dogs vision is best) with these dogs and people, their behaviour will alter. This intense behaviour is viewed as unstable. Dogs do not nurture instability.More dogs are being kept on their leads to avoid contact with other dogs and humans. Depending on the intensity and duration of the walk, you may want to increase it's length, as often off lead romps as part of a walk increase energy expenditure.If you take your dogs off lead, watch out for cuing during this time, when you put them back on lead around people and other dogs to avoid exposure. We do not want people and other dog's to become part of a negative (from your dog perspective - 'I get put on a lead around these creatures)When you put your dog back on their lead after a recall/’Come,’ try if you can, to leave the lead slightly long enough for slack. If you have the lead too short and tight each time after you get your dog back in, a negative association can form with coming back to you and being put on the lead - because your dog has lost all that freedom. You can also create negative associations with people and/or dogs. Also, try not to tighten and tense up on the grip held with your dogs lead when you spot another person and dog in the distance. We've had a woman quite loudly utter an expletive and yanked her dog in when she saw us. These actions only perpetuate the signals to your dog, that yes indeed there must be something off with that group if we are to react this way.I know, it’s all rather a lot but that’s why we go out and have a walk in the sunshine with our furry mates. It is still my most favourite part of the day, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. Going forward, why not look for my book in association with HarperCollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood' it's out now! 31.07.2021 Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Dogs reacting on the lead. The dynamic of a dog to dog social interaction is perceived differently, if your dog is on the lead and other dogs are off-lead – so the off-lead dogs are accessing freedom. I have witnessed many an instance where the more ’slightly lacking in confidence’ dog, off-lead, encounters one that is on lead, then becomes a different individual altogether.The resulting reaction may be one of hostility unless you and your dog are acting relaxed.From this, my advice would be to aim to have your dog off lead in a designated off-lead area, or in the least, not restricted on a relatively short lead here. Obviously, you should be very confident in your recall and socialization first 🙂 Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dog Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training insights, why not visit your local bookstore for my book with HarperCollins, 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood.'
Dog Parks and Off Lead Area’s —Importantly, the dog park is not the place to socialize puppies (from the perspective of intensity and a potential disease risk for your pup). Senior dogs too, may find dog parks overwhelming. Pay attention to your dog’s cues about this experience. [Read More…]
01.05.2021
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.
06.02.2021
Dog training and behaviour can be about the subtleties in a situation …An example that can happen and be accumulative in nature, is from when you undertake the recall (the ‘Come’) after your dog has been off leash and you regularly put your dog straight back onto a short leash. This restriction can be too much of a negative for some, discouraging the recall. I would aim to have the lead fairly loose (knowing that not too far away you can bring your dog in if you like) or vary the length here. [Read More…]
Treat every experience as unique.For example, if your dog has in any realm of the past (very recently or quite a while ago) ‘had quite a nasty encounter with…’ then owners can form the impression from that encounter (sometimes with the very next dog and owner combo they meet) that interacting with dogs (or dogs that look similar to that ‘nasty one’) too close has got to be ‘negative’ and avoided.From this, the owner then is in a heightened state, tense and on the defensive. [Read More…]
20.06.2020
Dogs getting walked less after lock down?Have you ever really, taken thought about the walk from your dogs perspective?The picture of smells, sounds and sights that may be of interest to them (obviously all the while, our senses for the most part being less developed than dogs). [Read More…]
13.06.2020
Dogs chasing bikes —If you’re having an issue with this, I would keep your dog on the lead as you cannot predict when a cyclist is going to come along.Ensure you have a great recall on the lead as well as the ‘Watch’. Get your dog’s attention with the ‘Watch,’ then get them to come back to you here. [Read More…]
02.05.2020
Lead/Leash BitingFirstly, make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. Biting at the lead can be a way for dog to release excess energy or stress. Your dog then has a tug toy going with them out in the world. [Read More…]
28.12.2018
With more dogs being out and about at this time of year with their owners I thought I’d just say,“Your dog does not need to be a ‘Social Butterfly.’”We/Society seem to expect our dogs to be ’sociable’ with all other dogs but you can simply smile at the owner and walk on by 🙂Do you yourself stop and shake hands with everyone you meet on the street?Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant, Dogs Best Friend.
28.09.2018
The walk -I have read a couple of posts recently about how some dogs do not require walking every day. However, unless your dog is being shattered by some other form of activity (some dogs get this from Doggy Day care for instance), I beg to differ. The walk is far more than just a physical activity for your dog. [Read More…]
11.03.2018
A tip, when out walking, observe other ‘owners’.I tend to assess the ‘owner’ of the other dog as part of judging the possible state of mind of the other dog.If the owner is waving his or her arms around, looking stressed or aggressive, the situation with their dog can then be combustible. [Read More…]
16.10.2017
Walk the perimeter of your property with your dog at least on the daily…A couple of good reasons for this…* Even if owners had 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. [Read More…]
14.08.2017
Are you your dogs last limiting factor?In the end, if your dog is responding well to the recall on-lead, including with distraction, you may be finding a walk on the lead is just not enough to expend that pent up physical and mental energy. Well, at some point and it is up to you but a walk off the lead (obviously in a legally allowed area) is the natural progression for a fully enriching experience. [Read More…]
28.11.2016
How much walking would you recommend for my dog?Usually a lot more than you think.For a healthy dog, of every breed, I would be recommending two walks per day. [Read More…]
I’m happy using extendable leads for walking.Remembering my post about it being ok for your dog to walk in front (because a pack fans out and the leader leads from behind when out on the hunt) but not for your dog to be pulling and as such trying to lead.I find the more you try to rigidly restrict your dogs movements, just as with a human teenager, the more you get a resistance against this pressure and the more frustrated you become on the other end of the leash. [Read More…]
Be wary of ‘Group Walks’. The group of dogs may end up being one that, with their owners, have many issues that need dealing with. You then have a situation whereby these ‘negative’ behaviours are bouncing and reflecting either at that time or later on, upon your dog. I work to address the route cause of the individuals behaviour and believe the dynamic between owner and dog must first and foremost be healthy and successful (for both dog and owner) then we go out into the big wide world together…
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