Saturday, July 17, 2010

Does Your Dog Have Obedience Problems?

Having a well-behaved dog adds to your happiness, while having a naughty and disobedient pet can really add stress to your life. Sometimes it's hard to assess the obedience of your pet if you really love him or her.

If you wonder if your pet could benefit from a dog training session, here are some questions to ask yourself:
1- When you call your dog, how long do you have to wait until he comes?
2- Does your dog pull on the leash when you take him or her for a walk?
3- If given the chance, does your dog escape from the house or yard and run away from you?
4- Does your dog...

a. Fight with other animals often?

b. Bite people, children, or other animals?

c. Chew hoses, sofa cushions, shoes, or other undesirable items when you are not looking?

d. Have accidents in the house sometimes?

e. Get into garbage cans if the opportunity arises?

f. Leap up after you tell him to stay?

g. Jump up to greet you or strangers, putting his paws on you?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your dog would benefit from some intensive canine obedience training. If your dog continues in his or her ways and misbehavior isn't corrected, this isn't good for you or your dog. The biggest question is if you always enjoy every moment you spend with your pet. If you don't, then it might be a good idea to find a qualified dog trainer in your area.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Compulsive Behavior That is Exhibited in Dogs

There are many different dogs that suffer from compulsive behavior. These types of behaviors are identified as those that are repetitive and seem to be almost irresistible to indulge in. If a canine experiences this type of behavior issue, they will be observed engaging in the same types of behavior on a regular basis. While this may seem normal for many dogs, if it interferes with their day to day lives, it is considered to be an issue. When observing a dog with a compulsion issue, you will often discover that they continue to indulge in their behavior, despite the fact that there is no need to.

It is important to understand that dogs that display the symptoms associated with canine compulsion will engage in the behaviors that they engage in continuously throughout the day. In some cases, the dog will indulge in these activities from the time that they wake up until the time that they fall asleep. There are many different types of behaviors that a dog could suffer from when experiencing this issue. They are as follows:

Many dogs will spin on a consistent manner.
It is not at all unusual for a dog to chase their tails, cars, or other objects.
Many dogs will bark on a continuous basis with no reason.
Many become obsessed with playing with certain types of toys.
It is not at all unusual for a dog to chase lights or even shadows that are visible to them.
Many dogs may lick themselves in a compulsive manner.
It is important to realize that many dogs that belong to a certain breed may indulge in behaviors that are compulsive. It is common for the breeds such as the Doberman Pincher and the Golden Retrievers to become obsessed and indulge in certain behaviors on a consistent manner. In other cases, there are specific reasons why a dog may start to display compulsive behaviors. Many dogs may indulge in a particular activity after experiencing a physical complication or a certain type of trauma. If a dog is exposed to high levels of stress or experiences anxiety on a consistent level, it is quite likely that they will develop certain types of obsessions and compulsions in order to deal with those complications. The following represents some situations that could result in compulsive acts:

If a dog is confined to one area for an extensive amount of time or does not like the fact that they are confined, they could start engaging in certain behaviors on a regular basis.
If a dog is kept in isolation and is not permitted to interact with other animals or even people, they may engage in certain behaviors in order to properly contend with the issue.
If a dog experiences distress or uncomfortable emotions, he may start to act out in a compulsive way.
Physical and verbal abuse could result in complications with a dog's behavior.
If you find that your dog suffers from acts of compulsion, it is important to seek attention from a certified trainer. Behavior modification is the most appropriate treatment for the condition.

Do Loud Noises Frighten Your Dog?

Things that go bump in the night are fairly common. That sudden loud clap of thunder that wakes us from a sound sleep can also get your dog to jump higher than it ever has before and be in the bed with you. Perhaps as the thunder rolls in, your dog heads under the bed or to a corner in the house that isn't usually inhabited. Not uncommon at all.

Fear of loud noises is a response to a potentially threatening situation is one of the protective mechanisms in the animal world. Phobias and fears can start when your dog is a puppy or at any other stage of their life. Finding your dog trembling at your feet during a storm is not unusual. Some dogs hear the noise long before we do and react accordingly.

These fears can occur after a series of events or after one traumatic event. Their fears can be reinforced if the noise occurs frequently. Some dogs just do not tolerate the sounds that cause fear. It is possible that the fear increases with each exposure to the sound. It is also possible that this phobia for loud noises can spread to other sounds other than thunder. You may find your dog frightened by a car backfiring or the sound of fireworks.

Your scared dog will usually seek some kind of human companionship. You are the leader and you are expected to protect him.

It's possible that there are underlying causes for these fears. An examination by your veterinarian may be in order to be sure the dog is healthy. If the problem is too extreme, a behaviorist may need to be consulted.

One of the big problems with dogs who have these fears is that if the storm or other noise occurs when you are away, what will they do? Chances are there will be some destruction in your home, or your dog escapes from your yard. There may be urination or bowel movements that never occur under usual circumstances.

Distraction will help. First you may videotape the occurrence to verify that this is the reason. If it is there are steps that you can take.

When you leave home, keep the radio or television on. The white noise can distract the dog and provide a safe place for him. It's a usual sound and he is likely to seek it out in times of fear. Often the simple techniques will work.

If these tips don't work you may need to take your dog to a veterinarian. Consultation with a behaviorist who will work with you to desensitive your dog may be in order. In extreme cases your veterinarian may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication to help with his fears.

At home if you know a storm is approaching and your dog is mildly anxious, the simple task of redirecting your dogs attention to some other activity will help. Don't pet and coddle, this will reinforce the fear and be counterproductive. Find the dog's favorite toy and play a little game or use some other distraction to keep him busy.

Dog Training Tips - Do Not Take Medication to Calm an Aggressive Dog

Dogs are said to be a man's best friend. But there are many things that a dog's owner has to take care of. Some people even take medication to calm an aggressive dog. Every breed of dog has its own specific set of requirements. Some of them would not survive in hot climate, while some others cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. The question is- how to understand the behavioral patterns, requirements, and physical characteristics of them? To understand this, we need to delve deep into the psyche of dogs, keep a watch on their attributes, and also see what thing(s) please/irritate them.

Please read this dog training tips carefully. Dog owners who find it difficult to train their dogs must watch a training video. You do not need to take medication to calm an aggressive dog. Some breed of dogs are easy to train, there are some breeds that would not be willing to listen to the owner. A dog training video simplifies everything. Just as it is so easy to learn cooking by watching a trained cook demonstrate cooking through a video, a dog trainer through video can help dog owners understand the techniques to train a dog.

There are numerous advantages of purchasing these training video. First, you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars to a dog trainer. Second, you never have to go out of your house to learn dog training tips. Third, if you fail to understand certain part of the training course, you can always rewind and brush up the lesson.

Making your dog obey you when you ask him to lift his paw or sit, is not a child's play. Advanced training involves making your puppy perform a somersault, or stand on its hind legs. This training video would have an adept trainer explain the training lessons slowly, in clear language without much jargon. There should be live examples to show the training process.

There are hundreds of dog training videos available on the Internet. Be selective while deciding upon which dog training tips and video to purchase. Remember, a good course will produce a good result.You do not need to take medication to calm an aggressive dog anymore, because with you can train and change them.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Getting Rid of Dog Lice

Dogs can get lice even if they get groomed and cleaned everyday. This is the most common problem with dogs as they carry lice as a host. Vet should be contacted as soon as the symptoms appear. Early treatment can help in getting rid from this problem in an effective manner. Lice plague has many signs of its occurrence and that should not be ignored. For instance, the plague having lice can cause harsh irritations and can produce signs of illness. Lice in dogs can also bring some other diseases in them and turn them into complicated diseases like dog anemia.

Microscopic structure of dog lice emerges to be flat, gray and wingless. They are scroungers which are around 12 inches long. They very slowly shift from their places and sometimes stick to one place. One very important fact about dog lice is that it can not exist without host's body. It needs a cat or a dog to live on it and to ensure its existence.

These are of two different kinds. First of them bites the skin of the animal and feeds itself on those skin flakes. And the other kind of dog lice attaches strictly itself to the skin of the animal and feeds itself with the blood. The second kind of lice is more dangerous as they not only suck the pet's blood but also cause severe irritation by breaking through the skin and feeding itself on it. If the dog scratches hard and harshly, then you should check him because it is a major sign of having dog lice.

The majority of dog lice find its place in the anus, ears, shoulders or neck. They are pretty big in size and lay their eggs on the pet's hair. You can see those ticks sitting on the pet's hair. They just look like dust pieces in the initial stage. The cure for dog lice is not very difficult. Dog lice can not resist to insecticides and so it should be spread in form of spray to kill those lice. This is the easiest way to cure these.

Aggression in Dogs Can Be Due to a Medical Condition

If you look through news articles from around the country, you'll find at least one incident of a dog attack nearly every day. Usually more. Then you'll read comments from people saying we should ban certain breeds because of their aggression.

But behind every aggressive act by a dog there is a reason. There is no one breed that is more dangerous than another. It depends on how they are raised, how well they are socialized during the first few important weeks of their lives, whether or not they are kept on a chain, how much training they have and how healthy they are.

Dog owners don't always consider it, but a medical problem can be the cause of an otherwise docile dog becoming aggressive. Here are a few possible causes or contributors to a dog's aggression:

1. Hypothyroidism - A condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce as much thyroid hormone as is needed. Some signs of this problem could be weight gain, loss of hair and lethargy. Running a blood test can determine the level of thyroid hormone and whether or not treatment is needed in the form of medication.

Hypothyroidism is not an all or nothing condition, though. There are various degrees of this problem. A dog may only exhibit one or 2 of the signs and be in the 25 percentile range of normal, whereas a healthy dog would be in the 50 to 100 percentile range. This is still low enough to need treatment and can be a potential cause of aggression that does not seem to have an obvious reason behind it or seems to be excessive for the circumstances. Raising the thyroid hormone level by giving synthetic thyroid hormone can cause a dramatic improvement.

2. Neurological problems - If a dog is born with or develops a neurological problem due to head trauma, for instance, this can cause the dog to see the world differently than a normal dog. This can bring on inappropriate behavior and aggression due to fear or the need to self-protect. Some of the neurological problems include:

a. Hydrocephalus - a condition in which the spaces in the brain that are filled with fluid become enlarged and the surrounding brain tissue becomes thinned and compressed. This is most common in toy and short-nosed breeds. There may not be any clinical signs in mild cases, but in the more pronounced cases aggression may be a sign that something is going on in the brain. This can be diagnosed by a CT (computed tomography) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

b. Encephalitis - This can be bacterial or viral. Any condition where there is inflammation of the brain can cause symptoms such as aggression.

c. Head trauma - When the brain is traumatized, swelling and bleeding can effect the functioning of the brain in that region. Aggression can be a result.

d. Brain tumors - When an elderly dog suddenly shows signs of aggression for no obvious reason, the possibility of a brain tumor should be explored. This can be diagnosed by the use of a CT or MRI.

3. Behavioral seizures - Partial seizures in an area of the brain that controls aggression can cause sudden unprovoked aggressive attacks. The specific breeds that are known for this sudden, sometimes violent behavior are the Springer spaniel, bull terrier, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, cocker spaniel, golden retriever, and poodle.

The clinical signs for this type of seizure-related aggression are different than any other type of aggression. They include:

a. A change of mood just before the seizure

b. Sudden aggression, usually violent, for no obvious reason

c. Aggressive body language or posturing, which can last throughout the seizure attack, which could be minutes, hours or even days.

d. Signs of involuntary discharge of the salivary glands and anal glands and dilated pupils.

An EEG (electroencephalogram) will often show if there are abnormalities.

So if you or someone you know has a dog that has suddenly become aggressive for no apparent reason, have it checked out by a veterinarian. There might just be a very real medical condition causing the problem and with treatment and medication, the aggressive behavior could completely disappear.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A Jealous Dog Can Be Dangerous

Dogs and humans have several behavioral traits that are similar. One easily recognizable trait is jealousy. Some dogs, like some humans, become extremely possessive of their owners and other family members, striking out aggressively at rivals. A jealous dog wants exclusive access to its owner's attention and affection. Such a dog will exhibit angry aggressive behavior toward any person or animal that the dog perceives is intruding upon its relationship with the owner. Bringing a new baby into a home is often a cause for jealously in dogs.

Jealous dogs exhibit behaviors such as barking at the object of jealousy, barking at you when you are giving your attention to the object of jealousy, always being underfoot, tearing things up, and regression from learned housetraining behaviors.

A dog's guarding instinct is a mechanism similar to jealousy wherein the dog's jealousy extends to expecting exclusive access to the entire household in which it lives. Dogs can react viciously whenever a person or dog is allowed access to the home, even if is done with the obvious approval of the dog's owner.
This jealousy is an exaggerated manifestation of a dog's innate need to guard its possession of items like bones or chew toys. Dogs will aggressively guard them against use by both humans and other animals. This behavioral characteristic of some dogs is not a serious a problem as jealousy or the guarding behavior, except where children are involved in inadvertently touching a dog's possessions.

One common manifestation of jealousy in dogs results from the complex relationship with a mother dog, her puppies, and her owner. Unlike humans, a canine mother does not maintain the maternal instinct for her children for the remainder of her life. As soon as the puppies are able to survive on their own, particularly when the mother is again in heat, her maternal instinct for the current litter wanes. During this period, owners try to treat all the dogs with equal care and attention, but to no avail. The mother dog sees her owner's attention being diverted away from her toward the puppies, and becomes jealous. This can escalate to the point where she might actually become aggressive toward the pups.

She may begin ignoring the pups and trying to exclude them from the maternal nest. Continued efforts by her owner to treat the puppies as coequal members of the household exacerbate the mother dog's jealousy. Her jealousy may actually cause her to direct her aggressiveness toward the owner.

As the puppies age and becomes more mature, the mother no longer recognizes them as "family." The growing puppies become strangers - interlopers. A conscientious owner will train the dogs to behave while he or she is present. When the owner is away, however, the mother may revert to aggressive behavior in order to drive the youngster away from the nest where her new litter will be cared for. Woe be it to the maturing puppy who deigns to take one of the mother's toys or other guarded possessions.

If the owner intends to keep the maturing pups as a permanent part of the household, he will have to treat them as non-related dogs, and train them and socialize them to live together as well socialized dogs, not as mother and pups. The owner should give the jealous dog a little of extra attention to show the dog that it is important to the owner. He should also determine what actions are actually causing the jealousy, and try to mitigate it.

Never tolerate bad behavior. As owner, it is your responsibility to train the dog to adjust to whatever new situation arises in the home.