Basic Training Tips

by Diana Logan

people is no longer cute, and the situation at home may have escalated to the point where the dog is very difficult to manage and unbearable to live with. It might be impossible to walk the dog, resulting in insufficient exercise, further exacerbating his behavior. The humans are stressed, and the dog is stressed. Worse, though, is if the dog has injured somebody. Even in the absence of aggression, causing injury is a major offense that crosses a significant threshold. It is more difficult to rehome a dog like this. His future is likely not ideal. The saddest part of this picture is that it’s wholly preventable. It’s not the dog’s fault for not knowing what he wasn’t taught.

Time for Change to this unfortunate picture is our tendency to want to yell at and punish the dog for making poor choices, while at the same time, failing to help the dog learn to do something else.

Do you have a boisterous dog who fits some of the above descriptions or a puppy who may be headed in that direction? It’s time to make some changes for everyone’s benefit. It isn’t easy or quick, but it’s possible with a plan in place to chaperone the difficult pup towards a happier future.

But there is hope. The great thing about behavior is that it is malleable. Learning is a constant. With knowledge, a good plan, and a dedicated effort…. and, yes, a good deal of time, new habits can replace the old ones.

I will address some strategies in next month’s article, but here are some of the angles of approach: underlying aggression.

• Ensure dog’s basic needs are met (exercise, rest, safety, nutrition, etc.)

• Manage the environment/ prevent opportunity to practice unwanted behaviors.

• Increase “frustration tolerance” through problem-solving and training games.

• Create reliable structure and predictability.

• Identify preferred behaviors.

Growing INTO habits rather than OUT of them

It is no surprise that the age of the majority of dogs relinquished to shelters coincides with adolescence (5 months to 3 years - yup, it’s that long*). Behavioral issues are the number one reported reason for relinquishing a dog. ** Jumping on

Many dogs who are labeled “unruly” lack structure, cannot tolerate frustration, and have not been taught what to do instead. Dogs are experts at discovering how to get what they want, but absent clear and consistent information from us for “acceptable” behaviors, will do whatever comes to their doggie minds. If their puppy habits have yielded positive results, there is no reason for them to change their strategy. It’s simply the way behavior functions for all of us. Added

• Teach “learn how to Learn” through simple cause-andeffect, consequence-drivesbehavior exercises.

• Create mental stimulation through regular training games. Happy Training! See you next month.

* See my Downeast Dog News September 2022 article, “My Puppy Lost Her Puppy License. Now what?”

By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVB Calder Veterinary Behavior Services, www.caldervbs.com

Preparing your dog helps alleviate anxiety and keeps your dog feeling safe during Fourth of July celebrations and other noisy events. A quiet, secure, and accessible safe space is one way to do this. Here are ten steps to follow when creating this space:

1. Choose a quiet area: Select a room in your home that is quiet and away from the noise and commotion. Ideally, this should be a space where your dog already feels comfortable.

2. Prepare the space: Clear the room of any potential hazards or items that your dog could chew on or knock over. Remove any toxic substances or plants that may be within reach.

3. Comfortable bedding: Provide your dog with a comfortable bed