Dogs are gifted with enthusiasm — a good trait if you and your pet are playing fetch in a field. On the other hand, it can be a potentially dangerous trait if you’re strolling along a busy sidewalk. An untethered animal poses many risks: It could jump on strangers, get into fights with other dogs, or run into oncoming traffic. That’s why leash training is so essential. Leash training should begin as soon as you get your dog, regardless of its age. In fact, in many areas, leashes are required by law. 

Authors of the Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat (Butterworth Heinemann) offer the following advice when beginning to leash train your dog.

• Be patient. Dogs, like people, learn at different rates. Some dogs may take weeks and even months of patient training before learning how to heel on command entirely.
• Young dogs usually take well to wearing a collar and leash, though temperament and energy level can influence how quickly they learn.
• Some breeds, such as Beagles and Dachshunds, often require more intense training because they are very easily distracted. This isn’t to suggest that a dog is less intelligent if it doesn’t calmly walk at its owner’s side after a week of training, only that it may require a more extended learning period.
• Older dogs may take a little longer to get used to a collar and leash, especially if they haven’t had leash training before. 

Five Easy Steps to Leash Train Your Dog

1. Begin by placing the collar and leash on your dog while it eats, letting the leash hang loosely by its side. Doing so allows your dog to associate the leash with something pleasant (food) and helps it get used to having a collar around its neck.

2. After two or three days, take the leash in your hand and follow your dog around the house for a few minutes after it has finished eating. Do this for more extended periods until your dog is used to both the leash and having you walk beside it. 

3. Next, go outside and let your dog drag the leash around, occasionally picking up the leash and following it. Offer a treat while showing the leash. 

4. While walking, hold the leash in your right hand and coax your dog along your left side by holding a treat in your left hand. As you walk, repeat the phrase, “Let’s go!” Praise your dog when it does well.

5. If your dog starts to pull forward, do a clockwise turn and walk in another direction; the leash will pull its head to the side, so it will have to hurry to catch up with you. Repeat this exercise until your dog learns that if it wants to walk beside you and receive your praise, it’ll have to stay by your side. 

Expert Advice on Leash Training

Make sure your dog’s leash isn’t too long. Four to six feet is ideal. Conduct your outdoor training sessions in an area with few distractions, such as your backyard or a quiet park. If your dog is overly excited, tire it out a little with some vigorous play before placing it on the leash. A slightly tired dog is more attentive. And never yell at or strike your dog while training. Patience pays! 

Proper Training Equipment

Using the right kind of leash and collar can help make your training successful. Most pet supply stores carry a wide selection. Here are the most common types of leashes and collars.

• Flat leash and buckle collar

These standard leashes are available in leather, nylon, and metal chain of various lengths.

• Retractable leash

Much like a fishing pole, this leash lets your pet wander up to 20 feet ahead while still under your control. Pushing the button takes up the slack. (Not a good choice when teaching to “heel.”)

• Headcollar

This unique collar, attached to a leash, keeps your dog under gentle control with a loop around the mouth as well as a collar around the neck.  It doesn’t restrict the mouth, and it thwarts lunging by transferring the forward motion into a sideways head turn. This type of lead is beneficial on energetic or difficult-to-control dogs.

• Choke and prong collars

When attached to leads, these collars control dogs by tightening around the neck or jabbing the throat with spikes. You pinch and release for the corrective action and quick attention — not to choke the dog. They’re not for novice handlers and can be dangerous in inexperienced hands. Before you use this technique, check with an expert for instructions. 

With a lot of patience and a little bit of time, you can leash-train your dog and keep it safe and sound no matter where you go.

Article written by Author: Mary Kirkland

Aggression is a term to describe a set of behaviors that can begin with a simple warning and end up a full-blown attack.

Dogs can show symptoms of aggression, such as:

• Staring
• Rigid body
• Lunging
• Growling
• Snarling
• Biting

Dogs behave aggressively for many reasons, and it is vital to understand the cause of aggression so you can modify this behavior.

There Are Some Common Types of Aggression Shown by Dogs Such As:

• Territorial 

A dog protects its territory or home from threats such as intruders. To an aggressive territorial dog, an intruder doesn’t necessarily have to be a stranger; it can be a human or another dog they know.

• Protective

When a dog protects fellow pack members from perceived threats (other dogs or humans), the dog feels they need to protect their own, and this protection can be primarily reserved for pack members they perceive as being vulnerable.

• Possessive

Possessiveness occurs when a dog is overly protective of objects such as toys or food. The dog may become aggressive when approached while eating or playing with their favorite toy. They may also protect their favorite hang out spot.

• Fear

Aggression is shown when a fearful dog is trying to retreat from a scary situation but has been cornered (flight response).

• Defensive

Instead of retreating when fearful, a defensive, aggressive dog will attack first. (fight response)

• Social

Can be aggressive towards another pack member (another dog or human) if he feels that pack member has overstepped acceptable pack boundaries.

• Frustration-Elicited

A dog can feel frustrated when restrained (either by a leash, crate, or fence) from approaching something exciting, leading to aggressive behavior.

• Redirected

A dog shows aggression towards a human or another dog who has interfered or interrupted aggression being shown caused by another trigger.

• Pain

Signs of aggression being shown by a dog who is in pain. Handle an injured dog with care as they may lash out if you unintentionally hurt them. Never use punishment methods on a dog. Inflicting pain on a dog through punishment can lead them to become aggressive towards the pain source.

For more information regarding health related behavioral problems see our article ‘Behavior Problems as a Symptom of Illness in Dogs‘

• Sex

Aggressive behavior exhibited between two intact same-sex dogs in an attempt to vie for a mate.

• Predatory

Aggression is shown by dogs who love to chase moving things. The aggression can come without any warning, and as a result, they may bite or kill whatever they are pursuing.

Why is My Dog Aggressive to Other Dogs?

There are a variety of reasons a dog behaves aggressively towards another dog. Providing there is no medical cause underlying aggression. The dog may have been conditioned to react aggressively towards other dogs by not being appropriately socialized as a puppy, a traumatic encounter with another dog, and being part of a dogfighting operation or other abuse and neglect. A dog could also be aggressive to protect its territory or social status.

We’ve all been there. You go to visit your friend, your neighbor, your co-worker, etc., and then before you even walk in the door, you hear it. Barking. Growling. Lots of anxious movement.

Dealing with an anxious and aggressive dog is scary and, for the owners, can be a bit embarrassing. Barring the invention of a time machine that would allow you to go back in time to when your dog was 6-12 weeks old to focus on behavioral training. Time travel is what Oscar E. Chavez, DVM, MBA, Member of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, says he likes to suggest to aggressive dog owners. You can do a few specific things to try to help curb your dog’s wrong (and often dangerous) behavior.

Can You Train Aggression Out of a Dog?

“Aggressive dogs, if truly aggressive, usually require professional behavior modification and the attention of a trainer or professional,” says Dr. Chavez. “This doesn’t mean you need to work with them at all times, but it does mean that they need to be a part of the behavior modification program.”

When dealing with aggressive dogs, the key is to identify which type of aggression your dog is exhibiting and then develop an appropriate strategy to reverse it. “This process can take days, weeks, months, or even years,” says Dr. Chavez. “But if done right, it can be effective over 90 percent of the time. Truly ‘evil’ dogs are rare, and most of the time, it’s poor socialization or training during puppyhood that leads to problems.”

When it comes to training, the key is to ignore bad behavior (provided it’s not immediately threatening) and reward good behavior with attention. “Negative attention is still attention, so yelling and shouting your dog’s name when it’s lunging and growling may only fuel the problem,” says Dr. Chavez.

One common technique that helps in the initial stages is Dr. Chavez called the ‘invisible dog’ approach. “This is where you are instructed to ignore the dog completely, except for only feeding and potty walks for two weeks,” he said. “Even during these allowable interactions, you are instructed to avoid eye contact and be very cold to the dog.”

Dogs who are being given the ‘invisible dog’ technique go through a mourning phase, where they miss the attention and affection of their pet parent so much that they become open to training and to being very cooperative. After this period, the dog’s behavior is usually better modified. “Invisible dog is tough because the last thing we want to do is ignore a pet we love,” says Dr. Chavez. “But it must be adhered to very consistently for it to work, and when it fails, it’s usually our fault for giving in.”

If your dog’s aggressive behavior worries you, Dr. Chavez suggests checking out The Animal Behavior Network as a great place to start for advice.

Handling Dominance Aggression in Dogs the Alpha Way

Has your dog ever raised hackles at the letter carrier or growled at the neighbor’s kid? Untreated aggressive behavior in your dog can escalate to tragic consequences unless you take control. By treating domestic dogs more like the wolves from which they originated, trainer Jennifer McCarthy of Longmont, Colo. believes severe dog behavioral problems, most notably aggression, can be solved. “I have a better success rate with this approach than with other methods I’ve used,” she says. “It’s a different mind-set on how to communicate with dogs.”

McCarthy’s wolf approach can help you to take control of your seemingly “angry” dog or prevent your dog from trying to step over you in an attempt to become the leader of your pack. “We can’t completely take aggression out of a dog since a dog has the capability for it,” she explains. “The difference is that your dog should look to you to decide whether or not to be aggressive.” In short, you need to be the alpha dog in your pack.

Growl like Wolves

The concept came to McCarthy while she was researching Mission: Wolf, a sanctuary located in the remote mountains of Westcliffe, Colorado. McCarthy placed her three German Shepherd dogs fence to fence with a female full-blooded wolf to document how the wolf’s behavior would affect her dogs. “When the wolf growled at my dogs, her meaning was profoundly clear,” McCarthy says. “Wolves only bark in fear.” She adds, “We’ve bred barking into dogs for guard use, but I growl at them as a wolf would.”

Along the same lines, McCarthy believes that it’s best to instruct and not ask your dog to follow basic commands, such as to stay, stop, move forward, and so on. She even recommends growling instead of saying, “No.” Growling can be imitated with a deep, low voice that commands attention. If you want a dog to wait patiently for a treat in your hand, growl, she advises.

Of course, all growl and no approval would disturb anyone, including your dog, so McCarthy also emphasizes that you should frequently praise your dog when appropriate, such as providing your pet with a good rub down after it demonstrates good behavior.

Nip Dog Aggression in the Bud

Like any true leader, alpha wolves take on more responsibility than anyone else in the pack. You can assert leadership by making the decisions with a calm, no-nonsense disposition. Imagine that your dog is like a kid in the backseat, and you’re the driver. Take control by providing direction, and don’t let it get away without listening to you. Dogs are hard-wired to vie for alpha if they think the leader isn’t strong enough. When you’re in control, your dogs are less likely to become aggressive or defensive.

Here Are Some Other Wolf-Inspired Tips to Improve Your Chances of Gaining the Top Dog Spot:

• Feed According to Pack Status 

As a dog owner, you need to establish your rank as a leader. You can learn to do it in the same way McCarthy does by replicating wolves’ behavior in the wild, which can even apply to dinnertime. Wolves usually run before eating, so exercise your dog before feeding. Feed multiple dogs according to their pack status because, after a wolf pack has hunted, the alpha wolf eats first and then decides which dog gets to eat and which has to wait. To do this with her own, McCarthy first dishes out her dogs’ meals. She then gets on the floor and growls at them to back off until she instructs them to have the food. When she walks away, they’re allowed to eat.

• Be Alpha and Don’t Baby 

Dogs, like humans, rest easier under good leadership. If you are a thoughtful yet decisive head of the group, you will help reduce your pet’s stress levels and probably your own. “Anxiety often stems from confusion about a place in a pack,” says McCarthy. She believes that the largest single cause of dog/owner problems is treating dogs like spoiled children. Instead, set boundaries for your dog and don’t praise lavishly for anything. Reserve your approval for when they have earned it.

• Be Decisive 

Being alpha is all about attitude. If you give mixed messages that you are the alpha in one context but not in others, your dog may show signs of dominance, anxiety, fear, or aggression. McCarthy says to present yourself as confident but kind, fair but tough, loving, but firm. Prove your leadership to earn respect. A true alpha never gets into a fight because the pack leader wouldn’t need to do this. Your dog sees your confidence and leadership as safety and security. If you assert your leadership through body language, attitude, and, yes, a little growling, your dog will understand.

Article written by Author: Cheryl Lock, Phyllis DeGioia, and The Dog Daily Expert

At a recent dog training class in Northern California, the canine excitement was hard to contain. Tails wagged while eager barks filled the air. All dog eyes were directed toward the friendly trainers. Specifically, the dogs’ attention was riveted to what was on the waist of each trainer: a belt holding a pouch full of dog biscuits and treats.

The canines’ interest was understandable: Many biscuits and treats on the market today are made with high-quality, nutritious ingredients that your dog craves, such as cooked chicken and savory lamb. During training sessions, rewarding your dog with such a biscuit or treat shouldn’t be viewed as a bribe but rather as a non-threatening incentive your dog will understand. Food works wonders in breaking the language barrier between you and your pet. It’s like the universal “thank you” of the animal world.

PetSmart pet care manager Kenny Geisler of Daly City, Calif., is an expert on how to best use dog biscuits and treats during training sessions.

Here’s how you can follow his treat training advice:

1. Allow your dog to sample the treat 

“Your dog needs to understand that a reward is coming,” says Geisler. To do this:

1. Break off a small piece of a biscuit and give it to your pet.
2. Place the rest of the biscuit in your treat pouch or pocket, making sure that your dog sees you doing this.
3. Don’t repeat this initial sampling phase too many times, or else your dog will figure out that it can get something for nothing.

“The point is just to allow your dog to taste the reward, so he or she will wonder, ‘How do I get some more of that?’ But don’t overdo it,” adds Geisler.

2. Use small treats or biscuits 

A recent scientific study tested whether dogs prefer a big hunk of meat to several smaller pieces. Quantity won. Similar tests have been conducted with birds, which also gravitate toward multiple food items, even if the edibles matched up evenly in terms of overall calories and nutrition. Break larger treats into pieces, advises Geisler, or purchase smaller-sized biscuits and treats for your regular training sessions.

3. Vary the flavors 

Canines are smart, curious animals, so they like to spice up their lives with variety from time to time. The same holds for people. “Giving your dog the same biscuit or treat every day is comparable to a spouse taking a husband or wife out to dinner each night, but they always go to the same place, and there is only one thing on the menu,” says the PetSmart dog lover. After a while, the reward loses its value. If you change the flavor every so often, you will pique your dog’s curiosity and stand a better chance of holding its interest.

4. Be timely with food rewards 

Geisler recommends that all treats are given within one to two seconds of your dog following the command. “Any later and your dog may not link the food to the desired action,” he explains. Also, take care not to reward too quickly. For example, before your dog has finished doing whatever is asked of it. If your dog is about to lie down and is rewarded midway, it may think you want it to crouch! That’s happened before to perplexed PetSmart training session participants.

5. Alternate food rewards with petting and verbal praise 

If you always offer food when your pal is behaving, it could become spoiled and forever expect such treatment. This can be particularly awkward when you don’t happen to have any biscuits or treats, such as when you are out on the town with your pet. “Change up your reward system,” says Geisler. “Give affection and verbal praise one day; food treats the next.”

6. Don’t vary treat quality 

Professional dog trainers often learn about negative versus positive contrasts. You never want to follow a positive with a negative. “For example, you shouldn’t give your dog grilled steak for five days and then wonder why he doesn’t behave when you reward him with a stale dog biscuit,” the pet care manager says. Given the variety and quality of commercial pet foods, it’s better to stick with fresh biscuits and treats instead of thinking you’ll motivate your dog more with expensive human food. That may work in the short run, but you could regret the decision later.

7. Reward your dog with a “jackpot” when deserved 

“Jackpotting,” explains Geisler, “means to give your dog a huge reward when she does something over-the-top amazing.” For such special moments, you needn’t worry about breaking larger biscuits into pieces or holding back. “Dogs understand big versus small 

incentives.” Just be careful not to exceed the recommended feeding amount listed on the biscuit or treat package. For regular-sized biscuits, usually, that means no more than three to four daily.

A bonus to treat training is that many treats on the market now target health issues, such as weight gain and tooth problems. Some treats even help to promote a clean, healthy mouth and fresh doggy breath. You will appreciate this when the training session is over, and your grateful dog rewards you with a big lick on your face.

Article written by Author: The Dog Daily Expert

In 1973, Kay Laurence got her first dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and a life-changing piece of advice from her father. “You’d better take a training class,” he said. Thirty-five years later, Laurence is the head of the class. Based in the UK, she runs Learning About Dogs, a business that organizes conferences and offers classes all on dog training. In her latest book, Learning Games, Laurence advocates teaching dogs through play. Below, she explains both how and why.

The Nature of Dogs

“Playtime is nature’s classroom,” says Laurence. “Puppies will wrestle, stalk, rip toys, carry and explore. All of these behaviors are rehearsals for real life. Play is where life skills are learned.” For example, puppies of Border Collies descended from gathering breeds will stalk each other during play to prepare for their adult role of herding sheep. Gordon Setters, traditional bird-hunting dogs, will practice for adult life by neck-snapping small stuffed toys. In nature, many of these games are guided by a trainer — the pup’s parent.

Explains Laurence: “Pack members do not teach their youngsters with leashes and praise. They play games with young learners. They set rules and decide when to let their pups succeed.” Though humans have designed their methods of training young dogs that do not involve play, Laurence believes these techniques are not the most effective. “Traditional dog training relies on our opinion of how a dog should perform. For example, a ‘dog sits when you press its hips down.’ Unfortunately, this fails with many dogs since their reaction to pressure is often to push back.”

What Play Can Teach Dogs

“Play training seeks to induce natural responses in the dog,” says Laurence. Those natural responses can then be elicited from the dog on command when obedience is crucial to safety or well-being. For example, Laurence uses play to teach her pupils how to sit still, essential for excitable dogs that tend to jump on visitors to your home. “Through play, we can stimulate a dog to maintain absolute stillness in anticipation.”

In a game, she calls, “Where’s the Mouse?” Laurence uses the canine tendency to focus intently on small prey. “When a dog spies a mouse or rabbit disappearing down a hole, it will maintain a focus on that hole for many hours. It will be able to stay perfectly still for a long period,” she says. For this game, then, Laurence puts a counterfeit “mouse” — in this case, a piece of cheese or sausage — in her hand and waits until the dog fixates on it. At this point, Laurence puts the “mouse” in her pocket, leaving the dog frozen, still in excited anticipation of its feast. Laurence eventually feeds the treat to the dog, reinforcing the pup’s behavior.

Other “life skills” imparted by Laurence, her trainers, and students of her methods include focus, balance, coordination, self-awareness, and puzzle-solving.

Try This Game at Home with Your Dog

For safety’s sake, your dog should be able to run from one location to another based on your direction. If Fido is in the street staring down an approaching car, you need to be able to convince him to run to the curb and fast. To train your pet to move on command, Laurence suggests teaching “The Sausage Bowling Game,” appropriate for dogs 20 weeks and older. Here’s how to play:

• Begin on a non-slippery surface, showing your pup a treat in your hand.
• Make sure it watches your hand as you slowly bend and make an underhand arc as if you were bowling in slow motion.
• Release the treat once your arm reaches the end of the arc, just as you would a bowling ball. Allow the pup to chase and then eat the treat.

• Repeat, “bowling” the treat to a different location each time. Once the dog has mastered following the arc of your arm to your area of choice, make the game harder by turning suddenly just before you release.
• With regular “training,” your dog will follow your command whether or not you’re throwing a reward.

“This uses all the elements of nature’s purpose of play,” says Laurence. “The older pack member, you, has alerted the pup to a chase situation, and the pup is instinctively drawn to join you. Every time they get to employ a natural, instinctive behavior, they enjoy it more and more. What a fabulous way to teach safety!”

Article written by Author: Darcy Lockman

When friends and neighbors Evelyn Pang and Hilary Louie of San Francisco were 9, a dog training class was offered in their apartment building. Though neither girl had a pup of her own, both loved dogs, so they signed up for the course. Five years and many classes later, the two high school sophomores co-authored Good Dog! Kids Teach Kids About Dog Behavior and Training (Dogwise Publishing).

Inspired by the belief that kids learn best from other kids, Pang and Louie wrote and illustrated their book, which incorporates expert advice on teaching kids how to read dog body language, be safe around dogs, and train Rover to do cool tricks. Says Louie: “Kids need to understand and train their dogs so that neither ends up getting hurt.” 

Below, the young authors share their five favorite tips for kids who live with, or around, dogs.

Tip No. 1: Know your dog’s signals 

Dogs are playful, peaceful creatures. When a dog feels threatened, it will display “calming signals.” These visual cues communicate to nearby dogs or people that the dog doesn’t want to fight. “The fur on the back of its neck will stand up. Its tail may go down, or its head will lower,” explains Pang. When this happens, Louie advises walking away if you are the one scaring the dog. If a nearby dog or other animal is threatening your furry friend, you should remove your dog from the frightening situation. 

Tip No. 2: Know your own signals 

If a strange dog comes running toward you, Pang and Louie advise keeping yourself safe in the following way: be a tree. “Stand still, put your arms by your sides, and your head down. Look at your toes and don’t move,” says Pang. “The dog will think you’re boring, and it will go away.” Running from a dog will signal that you’re up for a game of chase, and looking the dog in the eye may make it feel afraid, which can lead to a fight that both you and the dog don’t want.

Tip No. 3: Be consistent during training 

Pang and Louie advocate clicker training, which involves reinforcing desirable dog behavior with a clicker’s sound, followed by a treat. The dog learns to associate the click with the reward and understand that the click is a compliment. But this only works if the trainer is consistent. “You have to click on time, and every time,” stresses Louie. “You have to pay attention at all times during clicker training, or your dog will think you’ve lost interest, and (the activity) won’t be fun anymore.” 

Tip No. 4: Treat, don’t trick, during training sessions

Dogs in training need rewards to learn. What they do not need is for you to yell, or worse. “Don’t punish your dog,” emphasizes Pang. “You are its teacher, and if the dog messes up, it’s sort of like it’s your fault. It’s your responsibility to teach them.” If things get heated, or you start to feel frustrated, take a break! You can always go back to it later or 

another day.

Tip No. 5: Have fun! 

Pang and Louie agree that training is a game, and games should be enjoyable. “If you’re not positive, you’ll get impatient. If you’re not having fun, it’s not a game anymore,” says Louie. The girls believe that training also promotes bonding between humans and dogs. It’s the best time to create feelings of closeness between people and their pets. “Your dog will feel your love during training,” says Pang. It should be like hanging out with a friend. You’re doing something together and learning together.

Article written by Author: Darcy Lockman

On a recent errand run, I stopped by a local bank, post office, and coffee shop. My dog companion, Bertie, the Scottish Terrier, had his plans. Bertie, who belongs to a vacationing colleague, investigated a corgi mix’s nether regions near the bank, then relieved himself briefly on a light pole. Then while approaching the post office, and performed an impressive tree-side No. 2, complete with some vigorous hind leg back kicks, as a grand finale toward the journey’s pooper scooper end.

While Bertie looks about as menacing as a furry doorstop, all of his actions connect him to his distant wild wolf ancestors. Both animals are what some experts have described as “in-your-face poopers.” Forget shy and squeamish bathroom behaviors. Wolves and dogs take pride in their poop, and they’re not afraid to share their eliminations with the rest of the world.

Dog Poop Prominence

Isabel Barja, a zoologist at the Autonomous University of Madrid, recently had the inelegant task of inspecting wolf scat in the Iberian Peninsula’s mountainous region. In a study published in the journal Animal Behavior, Dr. Barja found that wolves chose to do their business on plants that maximized visual impact and odor distribution. She now believes that “in wolves, visual aspects govern the choice of plants for fecal marking.”

She explains that fecal marking is when an individual’s feces can provide information to others about territory control, identity, mating status, foraging efficiency, and more. Lisa Peterson, director of communications for the American Kennel Club, says dogs do something similar when they pee or poop on fire hydrants and other urban landmarks. “A dog could probably smell another dog’s urine on a central fire hydrant from 30 yards away,” Peterson guesses.

Height Matters

Barja suggests wolves would go on the highest plants and trees possible if it were not for their body size limitations. That’s because height can be associated with strength and intimidation, especially among male dogs. Like an athlete pumping up his chest and muscles to look big and impressive, male dogs “literally compete to be top dog by leaving their mark on prominent landmarks,” Peterson explains.

That’s easier said than done for dogs like tiny terriers, Chihuahuas, and Poodles. When little dogs urinate, they often lift their back leg as high as possible, sometimes looking as though they’re falling over, because they’re trying to pee as high as they possibly can.

Dog Hind Leg Kicks After Pooping

Dogs also may perform a hind leg kicking ritual under certain circumstances. Think of a matador and bullfighter in a ring. Each may move its limbs back and forth in the substrate to demonstrate territory marking. Peterson has observed dogs doing something similar after running through an agility course.

Instead of performing a football player-type victory dance, the dog might “voom-voom” with its back legs after going to the bathroom, spreading around its feces scent. Agility and other group events involve many competing dog participants, so there’s often a lot of leg action taking place behind the scenes.

Dog Butt Scoot Boogie

Even if your dog isn’t much of an athlete, you might have seen it scooting its butt along the ground or sniffing the rear end of other dogs. That’s because all dogs and wolves possess internal glands called anal sacs. They release “calling card” odors with each bowel movement. And when dogs sniff each other, they’re investigating the scents released by the anal sacs.

Butt scooting can be just another marking move, or it could be a health problem symptom, since the sacs may become infected. Be sure to do the following:

• Regularly inspect the area to make sure it is clean, dry, and free of welts and bumps.
• Take note if your dog frequently licks the sac region, or if your pal often drags its rear end across the floor.
• Be aware of unpleasant odors that could be coming from the sacs.

If you detect any of the above symptoms, visit your veterinarian, who will empty, or “express,” your dog’s anal glands. Some groomers can also perform this procedure, but if you suspect that your dog’s sacs are infected, it’s better to have your veterinarian do it.

Whether your dog is an Irish Wolfhound or a furball like Bertie, there is a method behind its bathroom behavior madness. 

Why is My Dog Suddenly Pooping Inside?

There could be many reasons why your housetrained dog suddenly decides to do his business on your lounge carpet when he was previously happily going outside. As frustrating as this behavior is, your dog’s way of communicating that something is wrong. Your dog’s change in behavior is probably happening because he is either stressed or has a health condition, and it is up to you to investigate.

Take your dog to your veterinarian to have any medical causes for pooping inside ruled out. These conditions are varied and can include intestinal worms or other parasites, a bladder infection, kidney failure, dietary reactions, and dietary allergies. If you have a senior dog, it may even be as simple as your dog’s age. An aged dog may not be able to hold it in like they used to, or they may forget that they need to go outside. If this is the case, limit the areas your dog has access to inside, preferably to rooms that are not carpeted. Use absorbent pads to protect your flooring.

Once medical conditions have been ruled out, you can look for other reasons that may cause stress and anxiety in your dog. 

Some reasons can be pronounced like, for example, if you come home from being out all day and your dog has pooped inside, it may have happened because they were inside for too long. If your dog is house trained, they would have waited for as long as possible and would have only pooped inside if that was their only option.

Has your dog been let outside for enough time? If your dog has been inside all day and you let them outside, the first thing they will want to do is explore and smell the array of exciting scents that are in the air. With all these exciting things going on, it is no wonder they forget why they are outside in the first place. Allow your dog enough time to finish exploring their outdoor environment. If you are outside with your dog, avoid interacting with them until they have pooped not to distract them further. 

A dog will only poop when they feel safe to do so as the very act of pooping puts them in a vulnerable position in regards to predators. If your housetrained dog starts pooping inside, maybe something is happening outside, or on your walks, that makes them not feel safe to poop. Observe your dog in these contexts to see if there is something they react to fearfully.

Have you recently moved house? It is not unusual for a dog to relieve themselves inside in a new environment. If so, this should be temporary, however, and cease once your dog is comfortable in its new environment. Other changes, like a new baby or a new puppy, can also cause anxiety in dogs. Routines are essential for dogs, so keep feeding regularly and going outside times, and your dog’s accidents should settle down.

If your dog feels anxious when you leave them alone, especially for more extended periods (half a day or longer), they may suffer from separation anxiety. Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety will express their distress in several ways, such as panting, howling, barking, pacing, and pooping.

How Do You Stop a Dog From Pooping Inside?

Essentially you need to understand the cause of your dog’s behavior so you know how to stop them from pooping inside. Firstly, take them to your veterinarian to have any medical reasons ruled out. Once any medical issues have been ruled out, you can then look to your dog’s environment for an answer. Identifying and removing factors in your dog’s environment, causing them to feel stressed, will stop this behavior.

If you think that your dog is pooping inside because they are anxious or the timeframe of being inside is too long (more than half a day), ask a friend or neighbor to call in and take your dog for a walk. This walk will give your dog time to poop as well as burn off some of that nervous energy. If it is not possible to have a friend or neighbor do this, then there are dog walking services who will come in to walk your dog for you.

If your dog is incredibly curious and relishes exploring and smelling exciting scents, try leaving them outside for a bit longer. This longer time will give them more time to deal with all those distractions before getting down to business. If you are outside with your dog, avoid interacting with them until they have pooped not to distract them further. Playtime with you is the best reward your dog can have.

Environmental changes such as moving house, or a new puppy or baby arriving into the family can cause anxiety in some dogs. If your dog is susceptible to anxiety, then changing their environment may make your dog stressed. Once your house trained dog is comfortable in their new situation pooping inside should cease. To help your dog adjust it is essential to keep to a schedule. Routines are necessary for dogs, so keep regular feeding and going outside times, and your dog’s accidents should settle down.

There are cases where there is nothing that you can do to stop this pooping behavior. A senior dog may not be able to hold it in like they used to, or they may forget that they need to go outside to poop. If this is the case, limit the areas your dog has access to inside, preferably to rooms that are not carpeted. Use absorbent pads to protect your flooring.

Should You Punish Your Dog for Pooping in the House?

Never punish your dog or puppy for pooping inside, regardless of the reason why it happened. If your dog poops inside, he is communicating to you that something is wrong. As a dog owner, it is up to you to decipher his message.

Dogs live in the moment; punishing them after the fact leaves your dog confused about what he did wrong. Administering a punishment only makes your puppy or dog afraid of you and possibly afraid to poop in your presence. This avoidance will not work for you when you want your dog to poop while you are outside with your dog or taking him on his walk.

Why Does My Dog Get Hyper After He Poops?

There are a couple of theories on why your dog does an after poop dance or run. One of these ideas is that your dog remembers back to their toilet training days, back to the days when you praised your puppy for pooping in the right place and maybe even gave them a treat as a reward for doing so. Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, so the theory is that your dog is excited to have done something that pleases you. Adding to the excitement is there could be a reward in it for your dog like a treat. Just like the early days!

Another theory on why your dog performs an after poop dance is that your dog may be excited to have relieved themselves. This display of excitement would especially be the case if your dog had to wait to be let outside. It must be a welcome relief to your dog to finally be able to poop if they had been holding it in for some time. 

Do Dogs Poop Out of Spite?

Dogs are usually proud of their poop and use it to communicate valuable information to other dogs, such as territory and status. Some dogs also spend a bit of time tracking down the poop of other animals so that they can roll in it. At the same time, some dogs eat the poop of other dogs. While we find these behaviors offensive, they are natural and normal for dogs to do, indicating that dogs do not find poop offensive at all; in fact, they find it fascinating.

A dog’s brain does not work the same way as a human’s brain, and they also do not have the same characteristics and traits as a human. Spite is a human characteristic and is   

one that dogs are not capable of. Your dog will never poop inside out of spite. If your house trained dog starts pooping inside, it is your dog’s way of communicating to you that something is wrong. 

Your dog will never understand why he can poop in one place and not another; he will accept that this is how it is.  

While no owner looks forward to doggie cleanups, at least consider that you’re not just picking up any old poop. You’re hauling away a sophisticated marking tool, unique to your dog, which is part of a communication system that took thousands of years to evolve in your pet’s distant wolf ancestors.

Article written by Author: Steve Jortsman and The Dog Daily Expert

A puppy’s life with a show dog future is slightly different from that of a pup with simpler aspirations. For one thing, puppies in training are likely to spend some of their time with a professional dog handler, like Clint Livingston of Denver. Livingston has been training Westminster hopefuls for three decades. “We start them young, and the key is socialization,” he explains. “We make sure they’re around lots of people, with lots of hands on them, so they get used to it.”

While non-show dogs don’t need to be as comfortable with the human touch as Westminster wannabes, they can learn something from Westminster training and grooming standards. 

Below, Livingston shares his tips for helping your furry friend achieve best in its own show. 

Training

What’s crucial to training a dog to do just about anything? Repetition, food motivation, and compliments. “Dogs want to make people happy,” emphasizes Livingston. “Give them lots of praise when they do something right, and lots of verbal encouragement along the way. Positive reinforcement is the best training tool of all.”

Before they compete, show dogs must master these skills:

• Stacking 

A “stacked” dog is one that stands squarely and still. For most breeds, the front legs are straight and under the shoulder blades. Rear legs are vertical from the hock (comparable to the human ankle) down. Paws face forward. To teach your dog to stack, place four bricks on the floor where you’d like your pet’s paws to go. With treats, help your dog practice standing in this position on the bricks before moving your pet to the floor to replicate the position.

• Giving ears 

A dog that is “giving ears” has its ears perked up, its head held high, and its eyes gleaming with confidence. To train your pet to put its best ear forward, hold a treat at a level where head and neck are drawn high. As your pet gets used to this position, pull the treat away quickly to keep your dog’s attention before allowing your pet to indulge.

• Walking 

If a model struts, a show dog trots, which means its right front leg and left back leg move in concert (followed by the movement of the left front leg and right back leg), showing off its physique to best advantage. Pacing is key to proper trotting. Take your pet’s leash in your left hand. Try different speeds to see which one allows your dog to trot comfortably.

Grooming

While grooming standards vary greatly by breed, all show dogs are brushed and bathed weekly. “Clean hair grows, and it also looks nice,” explains Livingston. To make bath time easy at home, try this:

1. Brush your dog first to remove loose hairs.
2. Layout bathing supplies — such as a diluted commercial shampoo, a pitcher for rinsing, and a towel for drying — in advance.
3. Put cotton in your dog’s ears to keep water out.
4. Always use warm water.

But the work doesn’t end there. If you want your pet to look like a show dog, add nail clipping, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning to your weekly to-do list. For each, choose a time of day when your dog tends to be relaxed. Talk sweetly to your best friend throughout, and if it begins to resist you, finish up another day. But more specifically:

• Invest in a nail clipper made just for dogs. Trim only the nail tips to avoid cutting into “the quick” or the veins in your pet’s nails.

• To brush your dog’s teeth, position your dog on an elevated surface like a table, hold its head firmly, and its mouth open with one hand. Move the toothbrush in a circular motion, making sure to brush at the gum line.
• Moisten a cotton ball with a commercial ear cleaner and swab the outer ear canal outward to remove dirt and wax. 

Your pal doesn’t have to be a show dog to look and act like one. With Livingston’s guidelines, your dog can be like the puppies he trains in no time. “It’s great to watch them learn,” he says. “You watch their confidence grow by the minute. They get more and more adventurous, the more you teach them.”

Article written by Author: Darcy Lockman

The short answer to why your dog is guarding her food is that it values its food and doesn’t want anyone else to eat it. The longer, more complicated answer has to do with your dog’s overall demeanor and your behavior.

In extreme cases, some dogs may attempt to bite anyone who tries to approach them during mealtimes. Most dogs that exhibit food-guarding will show less obvious “symptoms,” such as body language that indicates stress, wolfing down food not just out of hunger, and subtle to not-so-subtle growling. Such dogs tend toward defensive or aggressive behaviors, which owners can often control.

One thing you don’t want to do is to remove your dog’s bowl while your pet is still eating, according to Linda Case, author of Canine and Feline Behavior and Training: A Complete Guide to Understanding Our Two Best Friends.  Doing this teaches your dog that you are an adversary, at least at that moment, so it may resort to defensive tactics.  Along the 

same lines, if you punish your dog for food guarding, it will also potentially see you as an enemy.

Train your dog to sit and stay before you offer food. Case advises that you feed your dog two to three times a day in a secure location, such as in a room with the door closed or within a gated corner. After it has finished its meal, let your dog out to do its business. At this time, remove the food bowl. You can follow the same procedure if you have a multi-dog household, feeding each dog separately. Reinforcing these nondestructive behaviors should help to resolve most mild cases of food-guarding.

Article written by Author: The Dog Daily Expert

Does your dog have what it takes to become a certified Dog Scout? Nearly 600 dogs have passed their certification tests for the Dog Scouts of America, an organization similar to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. Members are part of local troops and earn merit badges by proving proficiency in specific learned skills. Below, President Chris Puls of Dog Scouts of America (DSA) and founder Lonnie Olson explain scouting for dogs.

What Do Dogs Do at Dog Scouts?

Just like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, Dog Scouts Earn Badges. Puls says there are badges for backpacking, water rescue, herding, search and rescue, obedience, Frisbee, and much more.

Don’t think it’s all just for show; the certification and badge testing is serious and demanding.

“The badges are not easy, and they aren’t supposed to be,” says Puls. “Yes, it does take some time to get to that level, but when considered throughout the dog’s life, it’s a short amount of time to get years of benefit. Visitors to your home and people you meet in public with your dog will appreciate the training time you have put in. Plus, you’ll have a better understanding of your dog and a deeper bond.” For a dog to be certified, its human companion must pass a written test that proves he or she is an educated and responsible dog owner.

Educational Mission of Dog Scouts

The Dog Scouts of America was founded in 1999 as a nonprofit by Olson, who got her inspiration from an encounter with an insurance salesman. “The guy asked why all the photos of my dogs were on the wall, winning at sports competitions,” she recalls. “I said, ‘Well, didn’t your kids participate in cheerleading, band, Boy Scouts and other activities?’ I told him that my dog likes to play flyball and Frisbee and be active in the community, just like his kids. The difference was that my ‘kids’ were dogs.”

 After this conversation, Olson formally organized all the activities and educational outreach she was already involved in and created the DSA. Like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, DSA’s mission is about more than giving its members fun activities. Puls and Olson say the broader purpose is education that fosters better relationships between dogs and humans, which ultimately saves the lives of dogs.

“The No. 1 reason why people surrender their dogs to the shelter is ‘behavior problems,’ so we decided that we could change all of that by getting our message out to more people,” says Olson. “We try to show the owners how they can enrich the lives of their dogs, themselves, and the community by learning new things and doing things together.”

Puls says that DSA also encourages troops and members to perform community service. “They often hold fundraisers to help local shelters, provide bulletproof vests to police K-9s, or provide pet oxygen masks to their local fire departments”. DSA dogs are trained to ring the iconic Salvation Army bell and accept dollar bills from people and drop them into the donation bucket. The trick has helped DSA raise almost $40,000 for The Salvation Army.

How Does My Dog Join Dog Scouts of America?

Interested dog owners should check out DogScouts.org to find the nearest troop. If not, the site is filled with the information you’d need to participate in or even start your troop. It’s also worth noting that you do not need to pass the certification test to be a DSA member. You can join and do the testing at your own pace, or not at all. If you want an even less committed way to get involved and support the group, the entire month of May is their annual National Hike-a-Thon, in which anyone can participate.

Article written by Author: Elijah Merrill

Researchers at Wofford College had been working with this Border Collie, Chaser, for a while. It was reported that Chaser knew the names of 1,022 objects, with no upper limit to her extensive vocabulary.  Her story reveals the potential for taking out dialogue with dogs well beyond “fetch.” When retired psychology professor John Pilley first got his new puppy, Chaser, he wanted to explore the boundaries of language learning and communication between humans and dogs. Chaser’s accomplishments are revolutionizing the way we think about the intelligence of animals. 

Read more about Chase in John Pilley’s book ‘Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words’.

Says Wofford researcher Alliston Reid: “This research is important because it demonstrates that dogs, like children, can develop extensive vocabularies and understand that certain words represent individual objects and other words represent categories of objects, independent in the meaning of what one is asked to do with those objects.”

The Family Education Network provides excellent, detailed instructions on one way you 

can teach your dog new words. In a nutshell, you begin by teaching your dog to touch your hand. When she does this, you provide a small food reward. Next, provide an object, such as a favorite ball. Ask your dog to touch the ball. If your dog touches your hand, do not offer the food reward. Only do so when it gets the “ball” connection. After some practice with this, you can test your dog by presenting multiple objects, such as ropes and other toys, to see if it gets that “rope” refers to the rope, “ball” refers to the ball, and so on.

For more information on teaching your dog to recognize words, see our article ‘Teach Your Dog the A, B, Cs.’

Article written by Author: The Dog Daily Expert