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!
"Bello is the first dog I have had, so there was much I didn't know about dogs. Bello is a very smart and friendly dog, but as he started growing up (he is 18 months old now), he developed this quite idiosyncratic characteristic of taking matters into his own paws, so to speak. More specifically, he barks at and tries to scare other male dogs or some strangers he considers dangerous, although he's told not to.
On one such occasion, I almost lost hold of the leash, and he seemed to be close to attacking a male poodle. That's when I decided to look for help. I searched the web for books about dogs, and Secrets to Dog Training caught my eye. I'm very happy I purchased and read it. I realized that the problem lay with me. I knew nothing about the importance of conveying to him that I was the alpha dog. For example, I was completely unaware that I had to go through doorways first; instead, I always let him go first. This is but one of the useful tips I got from Secrets to Dog Training, and they have all helped me greatly in the past two months to establish a better and healthier relationship with Bello. I only wish I had gotten the book when Bello came to live with me 16 months ago."
-- Antonino Gull
Hi Daniel, I love the training manual, and have started to use your suggestions. However, I need help. I have a 7 month German Short haired pointer, very affectionate with a lot of energy.
I walk her 1/2 hour before work and 1 - 2 hours after work. But she doesn't sit still at all unless I put her in the crate. I have a yard, which she won't stay in unless I'm there. I play ball with her but the minute I do something else she'll go do something she knows is wrong, like eat my plants, or pull something down.
Yesterday was the last straw. I had a friend over who had a cup of coffee with him when he came in the house. Holly (my dog) wanted the cup; she kept going for the cup so he put it in the garbage. He played with her for over an hour in the yard. When he left Holly went right to the garbage pulled out the cup and ran all over the house with the cup spilling the coffee. I took it away from her, but as soon as I turned my back she went for it again. The only way I could stop her was to crate her. She has a one track mind. When she wants something she keeps at it until she gets it and then I have to crate her.
What can I do? I don't want to keep her in the crate all the time, but if I don't I have to play with her every minute. She won't just stay still or lie down even after a long walk or run.
Thank you for your time.
Penny
Hi Penny,
Thanks for your email. This type of behavior displayed by your dog must be quite frustrating for you!
I would say that your dog does these things to get your attention! When dogs have a particularly strong bond with their owners, they can often start displaying a number of attention seeking behaviors, such as stealing, whining, or destructive habits, to get attention even if that attention is negative.
She is obviously very intelligent, because she has learned that if you stop playing with her, all she has to do is destroy or steal something, and you will suddenly give her more attention!
The first thing you need to do is teach your dog that you are the Alpha, and that she is at the bottom of the pack. Please read the bonus book "Secrets to Becoming the Alpha Dog". She needs to know that you are in charge.
Next, start making your dog work for any attention that she gets. For example, if she comes to you wanting a scratch or pat, ask her to follow some commands first. If she does not obey, ignore her. Even if you instigate the attention, still ask her to follow some commands first.
If your dog is behaving well, make sure that you praise her. If she acts badly, go to her (don't call her to you), attach her leash, and take her to a separate room for a time out. I don't usually recommend putting a dog in its crate for time out, because the crate is meant to be used as a safe haven for your dog, and not a place of punishment.
If you find that you are just not getting anywhere with the ignore method, you might like to try the reprimand, then ignore method. Squirt your dog with a water pistol, or shake a can of pebbles, growl a guttural growl and then lead her to the time out room.
I hope this helps Penny. Good luck, and please let me know how you progress.
Kind Regards
Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
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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