If you are looking for the greatest gold-mine of easy to use "change your dog's behavior" advice ever crammed into a newsletter series then read on!
Also, make sure that you check out our 100% authentic testimonials from people who have bought Secrets to Dog Training and find out the massive difference it has made to their owner-dog relationship!
"Hi, I bought the online book Sit Stay Fetch, because I have a big Guardian dog, and she was very aggressive to strangers in our house. I knew she could be trained because her mother was not aggressive. I got several good tips from the book as well as a personnel email on how to correct her behaviour. It worked and she is now much much better. I am very pleased and satisfied I bought the book. Thanks a bunch Daniel for doing what you do."
-- Doug Cummins (Nebraska, USA)
Dear Daniel,
Our Dog Boris who is neutered and turned one this month has a problem that is not covered in your book.
When he was a puppy he was afraid of everything and everyone and would not venture off for a walk even while on the leash. He just plopped his behind down and would not move. He's a Polish Lowland Sheepdog, they are notorious for plopping habits.
Anyway he now enjoys going for walks but anytime he sees a stranger, jogger, walker, someone riding a bike or another dog walking he goes absolutely nuts! He barks and barks and lunges to the point that he is standing on his hind legs using the leash as an anchor to help him stand. I am not sure if this is a response out of fear, if it’s territorial or protectiveness.
He only does this while on the leash. He is fine at the dog park when off leash and even lets strangers touch and pet him. On occasion he's been outside off leash and ignores what’s going on around him and just stays close to us although on our property.
I have tried the squirt bottle and coin can technique to get his attention to give him a command but nothing will stop his behavior until the person is out of site.
This only happens when he on a leash and I have tried a nylon collar and choke collar, the gentle lead and the prong collars with no improvement. Otherwise he's a very good and obedient dog. Please help, our neighbors think he’s a rabid dog!
Thank You,
Marie
Hi Marie,
Thanks for your email. Being on a leash while out walking restricts a dog’s natural need to approach and inspect other dogs. This restriction causes frustration, which in turn leads to more excitement and agitation. The dog owner will further restrict the dog, reprimand him, or become tense upon approach of strange dogs. The dog then begins to associate strange dogs with frustration, tension, and punishment, which is the cause of heightened aggression on leash.
If you know that your dog reacts to the sight of strange dogs, it’s likely that you will become tense upon their approach. Your dog easily notices a change in your mood, and sensing your tension, will become tense himself. His assumption is that you are afraid of this approaching dog, and he becomes aggressive in order to protect you and himself.
So, you need to remain calm at all times, and you might even like to talk to Boris in a happy voice, and praise him upon sighting another dog, so that he begins to associate strange dogs with a more positive experience. Step in between him and the other dog (if possible) and ask Boris to follow some commands, praising and rewarding him for his obedience.
Ensure that your dog knows that you are the Alpha Dog (please read the bonus Alpha book if you have not already) and that you do not need his protection.
Allow your dog to safely meet other dogs while on his leash. If you are at all concerned, you might like to muzzle him initially.
Do you have any friends with dogs that could help you? Have them meet you in the park, and allow the dogs to greet each other, and give Boris a treat for remaining calm. Practice this as much as you can for best results.
Good luck Marie. Please let me know how you progress.
Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
Teaching How To Shake Hands.
Begin this trick by having your dog in the Sit position.
Say "Maggie, Shake Hands", and gently take hold of one of your dog’s paws and lift it off the ground. Put her paw back on the ground, then praise and reward her.
Repeat this a few times, and then throughout the day.
After a couple of days, try giving your dog the command without picking up her paw.
If she raises her paw by herself, make a big fuss of her so that she knows just how clever she is!
However, if she does not lift her paw, don’t be discouraged. Instead, go back a step and practice lifting her paw for her for another couple of days.
Good Luck!
I've been a professional dog trainer for well over 20 years, and in that time I've helped thousands of dog owners just like you to get the friendly, well behaved, slipper fetching, best pal they always wanted.
But it didn't start out that way. I've always loved dogs, some things never change. But when I first started my professional dog training career I relied on the so-called 'best practices' when it came to dog behavior training. It was only when I heard people tell me over and over again that they just weren't seeing results that I started to question the old accepted wisdom. So I started a journey, a quest to search out the best, most effective, techniques, tips, and tricks that really work.
And that's how I came up with Secrets to Dog Training. Year after year I found new techniques that achieved the results I wanted. Eventually I had a whole book worth of great resources: Secrets to Dog training...
So, if you want to:
Then Secrets to Dog Training is just what you've been looking for!
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