Owning the human – Most of us think it’s cute when dogs put their paws on us or sit on our foot. This behavior is actually the dog trying to own you. (Of course, there is a difference between showing affection with your pet and your dog randomly showing how they own you. Consider it as though your dog is putting his or her arm around you and saying, “This is mine.”)
Urinating - Dogs urinate for more than just to relieve themselves. Some dogs are actually marking over the other dogs who have been in the area. This is a dominant behavior. Have you ever seen male dogs that appear to try and lift their leg as high as they can? The reason is that the dog is trying to spread the scent of its urine. The higher the dog hits the target, the farther it will travel in the wind, thus spreading the scent. If you kennel your dog and he still urinates in the kennel, consider putting the dog in a smaller kennel. (The kennel should be just big enough for the dog to turn around. The dog won’t urinate in his den.)
Skittish behavior – We as humans tend to think with our hearts first when it comes to our dogs. This tendency, however, is not what dogs need. When a dog gets spooked, we often try to comfort the dog and let it know that everything is okay, right? WRONG! Once again, I urge you not to think like a human, but to think the way dogs do. When your pet becomes unsure or skittish and you reassure it, you are actually praising the dog’s current state of mind. So, what you are telling the dog is that it’s okay to act weak, unsure, skittish, and afraid. I think we can all agree that this is not the kind of dog we want, and that this is certainly not a balanced dog.
Sniffing the crotch - As embarrassing as it may be when company comes over and your dogs nestles their nose into your visitor’s crotch, your dog is simply doing what comes natural to them. The reason the dog does this is it is getting to know you, the area where we release the most secretions and scent is our private parts so that’s why the dog chooses that area. Just as we shake hands to greet one another dogs sniff one other while they way they would meet us would be no different. As much as we may despise this rude behavior they don’t know any better, here is a great example of not matter how much we try to humanize our dogs they are still animals.
Fear of noise/thunder - If your dog is afraid of things like thunder, fireworks, or the trash man; sadly you are to blame. Please consider this, in nature there are no fireworks or trash trucks so dogs cannot be born with being afraid of those things the fear is a learned behavior. Remember dogs do not think like a human so don’t always think like a human when you are trying to do the best thing for your dog. I have had numerous clients trying to console their worried dogs right in front of me, so we have to talk about how they are promoting that behavior. In our minds we feel like when our dog is fearful, worried, or unsure and we comfort and assure them that all is going to be okay that we are being great owners and pack leaders. I do respect the love that these individuals have for their pet but you are creating a dog that will be sick in the head. If a dog views us as a pack leader and as the leader we are making a big deal about something i.e. dog being fearful of thunder, then guess what it’s a big deal to the dog because that’s what the leader has conveyed. Also when we think we are reassuring a dog we are actually promoting their current mind state. Keep in mind dogs don’t think like we do, so if you praise fearful behavior you are simply promoting it. So, what should you do when you dog is fearful, give them a job have them do obedience or play with your dog therefore taking the mind off of what is bothering them.
Digging – Often you can find a dog digging for no apparent reason. There are a few reasons this may occur. In the wild, dogs sleep in a den. If there is no comfortable den in your yard then your dog may create their own. If you do not have a dog house with warm/comfortable bedding then you may want to consider getting one. Also if there isn’t enough stimulation for the dog such as walks, playing with toys, or interaction with the family once again your pet may begin to dig in the yard. This is difficult to stop because you need to catch the dog in the act. You can bury horribly smelling things where your dog dug or consider an electric collar because there is no other way of applying a correction from a distance or while you are inside.
Off-Leash Dog Training – Northern Colorado wants to teach you to be able to enjoy your dog in any situation, even around severe distractions. Upon completing our programs, you will confidently:
Walk your dog off leash around distractions.
Understand your dog’s drives and behaviors to enhance your time spent together.
Control common annoyances like pulling, barking, digging, or aggression. Include your dog in your daily life at home, the park, or the beautiful Colorado outdoors.
Off-Leash Dog Training – Northern Colorado takes great pride in training Colorado dogs and their families — our mission is to ensure complete satisfaction with our clients. We offer both private and group training in your home and out, to address your needs when the dogs are at their most distracted. As our commitment, we offer absolutely UNLIMITED training for the life of your dog. Your family’s commitment to your dog is an important decision. We will show you an immediate return on your investment that will improve the relationship between you and your dog and show results to last a lifetime.
Call us today at 970-672-4454 to schedule your totally FREE demonstration and consultation with a professional dog trainer and their own highly obedient dog!
Tail wagging – Often, humans tend to feel that when a dog is wagging its tail, everything is just fine and the dog is happy. While that may be the case, you may be fooling yourself. A wagging tail means excitement – this can be either positive or negative excitement. It is crucial to look at the other behaviors your dog is showing to assess if it is a fun, happy wag or an “I’m about to doing something bad” wag. A tail that is straight out means the dog is alert if this occurs while meeting another dog keep your eye on their interaction. However, the dog’s tail may be straight when he/she hears something or sees a rabbit from a far. Skittish dogs tend to tuck their tail therefore showing a lack of confidence and weak social skills. A dog that tucks the tail most likely needs socialization, also beware fear biters often tuck their tail. Did you know dogs use their tail for balance? Just for fun watch how your dog uses their tail while running.
Mounting - Once again, dogs do not think like we do, therefore when a dog mounts, it is not always a sexual behavior. (There is no such thing as a homosexual dog.) If a female dog mounts another female, it is a dominant behavior and is a red flag of a situation possibly getting out of hand.
Posturing - A dogs’ posture is one of the first things one can notice when a dog is feeling dominant or insecure. Both of these actions are unacceptable. Learn to read your dog, and others for that matter, to prevent a possible fight. Look at the way dogs carry themselves, such as puffing their chests out, position of the tail, what the mouth/lips are doing, if the hackles are standing up – these are just a few things to watch for. Also pay close attention to what the dog’s mouth is doing open generally is relaxed. However, a curled up lip baring teeth is also unacceptable behavior and needs to be stopped instantly, often a dog will show teeth when is first encounters a new dog.
1-sided play – It is always great for dogs to socialize, however I warn you to be cautious when allowing your pet to interact with a dog you do not know. The problem is that you have no idea what the history of the other dog is – not all pet owners are responsible. However, I would recommend socialization with dogs that you know are balanced. Rough play and pinning is acceptable, however, it should not be one-sided. That play is unfair, and you, being the leader, must take action and stop the play.
Off-Leash Dog Training – Northern Colorado wants to teach you to be able to enjoy your dog in any situation, even around severe distractions. Upon completing our programs, you will confidently:
Walk your dog off leash around distractions.
Understand your dog’s drives and behaviors to enhance your time spent together.
Control common annoyances like pulling, barking, digging, or aggression. Include your dog in your daily life at home, the park, or the beautiful Colorado outdoors.
Off-Leash Dog Training – Northern Colorado takes great pride in training Colorado dogs and their families — our mission is to ensure complete satisfaction with our clients. We offer both private and group training in your home and out, to address your needs when the dogs are at their most distracted. As our commitment, we offer absolutely UNLIMITED training for the life of your dog. Your family’s commitment to your dog is an important decision. We will show you an immediate return on your investment that will improve the relationship between you and your dog and show results to last a lifetime.
Call us today at 970-672-4454 to schedule your totally FREE demonstration and consultation with a professional dog trainer and their own highly obedient dog!
Where does it come from? Why are some dogs so aggressive and others not at all?
Learned aggression – Aggression is often a learned behavior. Ever heard the expression “monkey see monkey do”? Learned aggression is when a dog has formed this bad habit by watching another dog. Sometimes, even humans can be the cause of learned aggression. For example, if a dog barks or, even worse, growls and the person backs away or acts scared – that dog was just taught that when it acts that way, it has control/power over people. This technique is used in training many police dogs.
Fear-based aggression – A severe dog fight can make a dog aggressive toward other dogs, especially if the attack occurs when the dog is young. This will often lead to a dog with fear-based aggression, which can be the worst kind. This can result in an unexpected attack, as a dog with fear-based aggression will attack without warning, such as when you turn your back.
Prey drive - Some dogs have a great desire to chase prey, such as rabbits. (Dogs exhibiting a huge toy drive often have a serious prey drive.) Many trainers have concluded that the best way to rid or control this behavior is with the use of an electric collar, for the purpose of having control from a distance.
What kinds of movements or actions in humans do dogs tend to view as aggression toward them?
Erratic/quick movement – Often, children will unwittingly annoy dogs because of their quick body movements. (Dogs may feel they cannot trust a child because they are unpredictable.) Many dogs find these quick movements threatening, so please keep this in mind when you have children around your pet.
Cornering – When a dog is cornered, it can react with what humans call the “fight or flight response.” Since the dog does not have the flight option, it can feel that it must attack. So be mindful of backing a dog into a corner.
Facial contact - Contact with the human face can be intimidating to dogs. Often, dogs will go into avoidance if you try to put your face into the face of a dog you are unfamiliar with. Remember, although you may feel you know a dog well and that it won’t bite, the dog still has a mouth full of very sharp teeth. In a dog’s mind staring in the eyes is intimidating so a follower of the pack would never stare the pack leader in the eyes, so you can see how this would transfer over to them doing the same with humans thus avoiding face and eye contact, of course you need to be the pack leader in the dogs mind.
The best ways to deal with aggression in your dog.
It is important to understand the way dogs think as pack animals and how they expect us to take charge. The first step is basic obedience and gaining your dog’s respect. If you tell your dog to do something (or not to do something), follow through and ensure that the dog obeys. Otherwise the dog will not take you seriously. Often, once you begin training, a dog’s confidence will increase. as dogs enjoy being given a job and being told what to do.
Present yourself as non-threatening (i.e. relaxed). One way to do this is to yawn when you see the dog – this is viewed as non-threatening. Avoiding eye contact is another tactic. In some cases, dogs simply need to know that they can trust you and do not always have to be on guard. Once again, if the dog acknowledges you as the leader and is comfortable with you, it won’t feel the need to take the leadership role that most dogs are uncomfortable with anyway.
Socialization is also vital when trying to have your dog more civil. You may need to start off where your dog simply watches other dogs interact, they can definitely learn from each other. You will begin to see your dog become more curious this is a great sign. Highly aggressive dogs should wear a muzzle or meet through a fence or some sort of barrier, for the initial meet and greet. Please note the way dogs shake hands is by sniffing each other’s rear ends, the reason is because that is where the most secretions are present. Possibly the most important thing to consider is know the dog you are having the aggressive dog met, it makes sense to avoid two aggressive dogs meeting. With that being said if you take your aggressive dog to the dog park you are wrong. Number one because you have no idea the temperament of the other dogs in the park, number two because there are much more crucial training steps that you ought to be taking.
Off-Leash Dog Training – Northern Colorado wants to teach you to be able to enjoy your dog in any situation, even around severe distractions. Upon completing our programs, you will confidently:
Walk your dog off leash around distractions.
Understand your dog’s drives and behaviors to enhance your time spent together.
Control common annoyances like pulling, barking, digging, or aggression. Include your dog in your daily life at home, the park, or the beautiful Colorado outdoors.
Off-Leash Dog Training – Northern Colorado takes great pride in training Colorado dogs and their families — our mission is to ensure complete satisfaction with our clients. We offer both private and group training in your home and out, to address your needs when the dogs are at their most distracted. As our commitment, we offer absolutely UNLIMITED training for the life of your dog. Your family’s commitment to your dog is an important decision. We will show you an immediate return on your investment that will improve the relationship between you and your dog and show results to last a lifetime.
Call us today at 970-672-4454 to schedule your totally FREE demonstration and consultation with a professional dog trainer and their own highly obedient dog!
