Happy Dog Happy You

There are many ways you can reward your dog other than giving him his favorite treat.
Generally, the more reliably your dog has learned a behavior, the more you can give him rewards in place of foods. For dogs who love certain things more than a treat, rewards can become a more important primary motivator than […]

Enrolling in a dog obedience class can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog, but choosing the wrong class can make the experience unpleasant for both of you.
If you are lucky enough to live in an area where you have a selection, shop around. Observe the class prior to taking your dog.
Below […]

Dogs of any breed, size or type can suffer from stress.  In fact, a certain amount of stress is necessary for a healthy life.  Hunger produces a form of stress that motivates us to find food, which is a healthful activity. 
However, a pet dog that receives a doting owner’s petting and praise on demand all […]

Pheromones are chemical substances secreted by an animal that influence the behavior of other animals of the same species.  Unlike other hormones, pheromones are secreted externally and influence other animals, typically by smell.  In this case, pheromones may play a very important role in animal behavior. 
In dogs, pheromones probably influence group integration and are a […]

To discourage garbage raiding, get a garbage can that has a locking lid.  Or, simply put the garbage can in a place your dog can’t reach, like under the sink.  If you attempt to correct your dog when you catch him raiding the can, chances are that all he will learn is to avoid going […]

Although very dangerous behavior, car chasing is very rewarding for the dog.  Dogs love to chase anything that runs, and the faster it runs, the better. 
To extinguish the behavior, you must negate the reward of the chase.  Car chasing is most often done by dogs that have the run of the property and are not […]

Begging usually becomes a habit if you feed the dog from the table when he begs.  He won’t leave the table if he’s reinforced for staying with tidbits.  Command the dog to “settle” at the table and enforce it.  He’ll tire of staring up and will soon fall asleep if you don’t reward him for […]

A dog that growls at and/or bites its owner does so for some reason, even if the behavior appears “unreasonable” to the owner.  A complete medical examination, including tests for hormonal balance, neurophysiologic function and allergies, may reveal the underlying cause.
This has been especially helpful in dogs that have swings in mood.  When growling or biting […]

Nothing will make your dog want to move away from you more than jerking the leash and dragging him.  If your dog lags, be careful not to reinforce this behavior by giving him attention when he stops. Instead, stand still facing away from your dog and put gentle pressure on the leash and wait.  Praise […]

Start to ask more of your dog for less of a reward.   Continue to use the treat in your hand for all of the position changes, but do not give it to him every time.  Instead, vary the time when you give the reward to him. This is also a good time to start varying […]