Addressing Abnormal Dog Behavior through Dog Training

Sometimes the answers to questions about dog training aren’t obvious. We have a couple of naughty nuggets in training at the moment, who’s behavior can be dangerous to themselves and others. Naturally, the owners what us to address these issues STAT, to improve everyone’s quality of life.

Every training program must start with the basics. If your dog doesn’t have great leash manners, we cannot address the way they bark and lunge at other dogs.

If your dog is a runner, we cannot address recall with teaching the wait command.

If your dog guards (and threatens to bite) food or other high value items, it might seem strange that it’s necessary to teach a stay command.

You have to crawl before you walk. Part of training is learning to learn. Simple, unrelated tasks are a necessary component to addressing the behavioral issue plaguing you most.

If you are dealing with aggression issues (lunging and barking at dogs or people, resource guarding, biting, or otherwise), the training must first cover walking politely on leash without pulling, sit, wait, leave it, and coming when called, before we can even begin to touch the bigger problems. We have to plant the seed in the dog’s mind that its worthwhile to take direction from us. Aggression is a big deal to both the owner and the dog. They are in a state of panic or at least high arousal. Have you ever tried to do math while you had a gun to your head? Without basic training, that’s what’s going on for your dog.

We have to work the basics, before the bigger issue can be addressed. If a dog trainer is offering you a simple, or ‘quick fix,’ you can be pretty confident they are simply trying to sell you something, and I would question their motivation as well as their methods.

We require a Dog Bootcamp for all abnormal behavioral issues for a reason. We need extra time, after teaching the basics, to address the issue as thoroughly as possible. And it’s important to note, that all abnormal dog behavior requires ongoing maintenance of training, and following strict protocols.

Those of us who struggle with depression, anxiety or other mental illness know the work that goes into staying afloat, in good spirits, and in a healthy mind and body. We also know that it’s WORK…. Constant evaluation and adjustment and work on ourselves. The same goes for your dog.