Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Help My Hound
Q: Dear Jessica,
I am writing this note in response to your ad in the EMC last week.
I have a 1 year one Beagle/Walker Hound mix. Who we purchased from a family ( not a breeder ) at 12 weeks old. His mother was a pure Walker Hound and very friendly. His father was the Beagle which I have no background on.
He is a very good hunter...even at a very young age and has no issues with people at all.
The problem I am having is introducing him to new dogs. to me he seems scared of them and nips at first, if he likes them he starts to play immediately; if not, he keeps growling and attacking them. He seems to respect dogs that will put him down if he gets out of line, but attacks dogs that won't fight back (ie: puppies). I don't even try introducing him to puppies or little dogs...it never works out.
To correct this problem, I muzzle him to introduce him to new dogs; and then take it off if they start to play. We have been attending a dog park since he was 3 months old so he would be well socialized; I guess that didn't work! If we are back in the bush and he meets a (large) dog (off leash) there are no issues. If he doesn't like him, he just goes off hunting.
Can you help.
A: The answer to this question will appear in my next article in the EMC Record News
I am writing this note in response to your ad in the EMC last week.
I have a 1 year one Beagle/Walker Hound mix. Who we purchased from a family ( not a breeder ) at 12 weeks old. His mother was a pure Walker Hound and very friendly. His father was the Beagle which I have no background on.
He is a very good hunter...even at a very young age and has no issues with people at all.
The problem I am having is introducing him to new dogs. to me he seems scared of them and nips at first, if he likes them he starts to play immediately; if not, he keeps growling and attacking them. He seems to respect dogs that will put him down if he gets out of line, but attacks dogs that won't fight back (ie: puppies). I don't even try introducing him to puppies or little dogs...it never works out.
To correct this problem, I muzzle him to introduce him to new dogs; and then take it off if they start to play. We have been attending a dog park since he was 3 months old so he would be well socialized; I guess that didn't work! If we are back in the bush and he meets a (large) dog (off leash) there are no issues. If he doesn't like him, he just goes off hunting.
Can you help.
A: The answer to this question will appear in my next article in the EMC Record News
Our Spoiled Rotten Bichon Frise
Dear Jessica,
This letter is in response to your article in The Record News EMC regarding pet behaviour.
We have a wonderful, loving, friendly 6 year old Bichon Frise. We brought her home after
we were both retired and she had our undivided attention. Yes we spoiled her shamefully.
However, we are now inclined to leave her alone more than in previous days and she has
become our "little guilt trip". She exhibits the symptoms of "anxiety separation"
(yes a human trait, however it seems to apply to our little pet also).
I have practised turning my back on her, ignoring her when we first come home, making her
sit and be still before greeting her. This has worked somewhat, however she will then
follow me around the house for hours after being left alone and won't let me out of her sight.
I would appreciate any advice you can give us that will help make her feel more secure and
allow us to leave her alone and not feel guilty doing so.
Thank you.
A: The answer to this question will appear in my next article in the EMC Record News
This letter is in response to your article in The Record News EMC regarding pet behaviour.
We have a wonderful, loving, friendly 6 year old Bichon Frise. We brought her home after
we were both retired and she had our undivided attention. Yes we spoiled her shamefully.
However, we are now inclined to leave her alone more than in previous days and she has
become our "little guilt trip". She exhibits the symptoms of "anxiety separation"
(yes a human trait, however it seems to apply to our little pet also).
I have practised turning my back on her, ignoring her when we first come home, making her
sit and be still before greeting her. This has worked somewhat, however she will then
follow me around the house for hours after being left alone and won't let me out of her sight.
I would appreciate any advice you can give us that will help make her feel more secure and
allow us to leave her alone and not feel guilty doing so.
Thank you.
A: The answer to this question will appear in my next article in the EMC Record News
Thursday, March 5, 2009
14 month old Puggle- Chews Everything
Q: Our dog - a 14 month old puggle - chews EVERYTHING (shoes, furniture, garbage, toilet paper, me)! We are at our wit's end, and my husband is seriously threatening to get rid of the dog if we can't stop this behaviour. Is there any way to train a dog not to chew things other than his toys? We learned the "Leave it" command in puppy kindergarten but he chooses when and if to obey it. I'd appreciate any suggestions you could give us.
Thanks.
A: Hi Adrienne,
You are not alone! It is likely that your dog is going through a second teething phase so be patient. Your dog is a teenager now, not a puppy. I tell you this so that you have a better understanding of how she needs to be dealt with. This is a typical time for owners to loosen up on rules and restriction with the thought the puppyhood is over and the dog can be trusted. In fact during this period of time restriction must be heavily reinforced and consistent. Any parent of a teenage will confirm this.
As far as the persistent chewing is concerned, it is likely that you have given her too much unearned freedom for her to be getting in to so much trouble. You have to use a combination of training and management in order to 'nip this behaviour in the butt'. That means supervision and a controlled environment. Make sure never to engage in a game of keep away with your dog (chasing after her for the object), they love it and it only makes the object they have even more valuable to them. Instead, pick up one of her toys and give it a few squeaks, pay lots of attention to it (without paying any attention to her). She will likely realize that what you have is better and leave the other object behind. Continue to interrupt the chewing and redirect her to the appropriate object, once she moves away from the inappropriate object, reward her for doing so with some freeze dried liver.
If you need further advice on this topic please feel free to contact me or set up a telephone consultation. Good luck and keep me posted.
Thanks.
A: Hi Adrienne,
You are not alone! It is likely that your dog is going through a second teething phase so be patient. Your dog is a teenager now, not a puppy. I tell you this so that you have a better understanding of how she needs to be dealt with. This is a typical time for owners to loosen up on rules and restriction with the thought the puppyhood is over and the dog can be trusted. In fact during this period of time restriction must be heavily reinforced and consistent. Any parent of a teenage will confirm this.
As far as the persistent chewing is concerned, it is likely that you have given her too much unearned freedom for her to be getting in to so much trouble. You have to use a combination of training and management in order to 'nip this behaviour in the butt'. That means supervision and a controlled environment. Make sure never to engage in a game of keep away with your dog (chasing after her for the object), they love it and it only makes the object they have even more valuable to them. Instead, pick up one of her toys and give it a few squeaks, pay lots of attention to it (without paying any attention to her). She will likely realize that what you have is better and leave the other object behind. Continue to interrupt the chewing and redirect her to the appropriate object, once she moves away from the inappropriate object, reward her for doing so with some freeze dried liver.
If you need further advice on this topic please feel free to contact me or set up a telephone consultation. Good luck and keep me posted.
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