Dog Blog
Triggers and Underlying Causes of Dog Aggression: Part 5: Frustration & Agitation
Frustration and Agitation Aggression is often created, or intensified, due to some form of frustration or agitation. This could be a momentary agitation or a build up of long term frustration over time. Regardless, it’s important to understand that aggressive...
Triggers and Underlying Causes of Dog Aggression: Part 4: Fear and Anxiety
Fear (Anxiety, Insecurity, Uncertainty, Panic) Fear is an underlying factor in a lot of aggression cases. It is so common, in fact, that many trainers go so far as to say that all aggression is based in fear. I personally think it’s a stretch of the truth to say all...
Should Timeouts Be Used As Punishment In Dog Training?
Using “timeouts” as a form of punishment for unwanted behavior has become popular in many dog training circles, particularly with “Positive” dog trainers, because they believe it's gentle or non-aversive. Whether a timeout is “aversive” or not is questionable but the...
Triggers and Underlying Causes of Dog Aggression: Part 3: Overly Intense Play
Overly Intense Play and Dog Aggression It should come as no surprise that, if allowed to get too intense, play between dogs can turn into aggression. This can happen with humans as well. It happened all the time when my brother and I were kids and played Bruce Lee vs...
Triggers and Underlying Causes of Dog Aggression: Part 2: Hyperactivity and Anxiety
Hyperactivity (Arousal, Overstimulation, Anxiety) is Connection to Dog Aggression "Well, aren't you just the sweetest thing ever!” Pause for a deep inhaling gasp. “Kissy, kissy, kissy! Oh, look at that little tail wagging a million miles an hour. You're a happy dog...
Triggers and Underlying Causes of Dog Aggression: Part 1: Tight Leashes
"The hallmark of good dog training is a slack leash." - classic dog training mantra, source unknown. A tight leash is by far the most common and overlooked underlying problem with dog aggression. I rarely, if ever, see a case of aggression in which the owners have...
TOP 8 PUNISHMENT MISTAKES IN DOG TRAINING
Once upon a time, punishment was commonplace in the raising and training of dogs. A reading of The Koehler Method of Dog Training by William Koehler (published 1962) shows us not only that punishment was commonplace but that it was totally acceptable to use extremely...
Q & A: Dog Won’t Come At Dog Park, How To Stop Chewing
Question: Hi Chad, Until today, and with the exception of recall when at the dog park, my dog had been learning and doing much better in several ways. I stayed away from the Dog Park for almost 2 months and just walked her locally and checking her recall here with...
WHAT’S NEXT: After Intermediate Class
The next step after the Intermediate Obedience Class will depend largely on how things went for you and your dog and what your long-term goals and interests are. There are two main questions we need to ask: 1 - Did you Graduate? Not all students who attend the class...
Q & A: How To Stop Puppy From Jumping, Nipping, Barking and Digging
Question: Hi Chad, I hope all is well with you, your family and dogs. We are currently in your group obedience class and you came to our house 3 months ago for a session because of biting and jumping. My wife and I are at our wits end and almost ready to give him up...
