Behavior Problems

Our Strategy

Our in-home training programs will help you solve your dog's behavior problems, often on the first visit.

A Canine Dimensions certified trainer will come to your home, evaluate your dog and work with you to determine what's causing your dog's behavior problems.  Next, we will develop a plan of action to help correct these problems.

We start by focusing on two key areas:

1) Communication
2) Pack Structure



Dogs should be trained to look to the owner for leadership, approval and direction during various routine daily activites. Watch this video of Doberman Pinschers AJ and Meadow demonstrating how dogs should wait for a release command before going through an open door. After they return inside they automatically sit and wait for another release command.

Communication

Often what we humans interpret as behavior problems in our dogs can more accurately be defined as communication problems.

Dogs communicate with each other using thousands of different signals that have been inherited from their ancestors, wolves. We don’t speak this language so problems can arise.

For example, you command your dog “down” in a stern voice. He detects that you are angry and sends you a signal of submission in an attempt to calm you. That signal is that he gets down VERY SLOWLY. But you misinterpret this slow movement as defiance, and angrily correct him for not getting down fast enough. Now he’s totally confused!

Pack Structure

Dogs by nature are pack animals, continually seeking to identify their place within the social structure. If a clear “Alpha” leader is not evident to the dog, he will often seek to assume this role himself. Many common behavior problems are merely symptoms of an underlying problem with the dog’s perception of his place in the family.

For example, one of the responsibilities of the alpha dog is the protection of the pack. If your dog believes that he's in charge, then he “outranks” the person at the other end of the leash, and may feel compelled to PROTECT that person when coming in contact with another dog by behaving with aggression toward the other dog.

Similarly, a dog that constantly barks in the back yard may simply be exhibiting the stress of his perceived leadership. From his perspective he is the one who must shoulder the burdon of protecting the pack.

Unfortunately, some owners who have heard or read about pack structure and leadership will sometimes attempt to physically “dominate” their dogs, which can only make behavior problems worse. Doing things like rolling a dog over on its back, or physically punishing a dog, can break down the human-dog relationship and can trigger "reactive" (fearful or aggressive) behavior.

In some cases, a dog that has been subjected to these tactics will bite defensively. In other cases, a dog will become submissive to ONE member of the family but will learn (as a result of violent tactics by his owner) that he must behave aggressively toward other members of the family.

Fortunately, we have excellent counter conditioning protocols which can help repair the damage done by these and other improper training methods. Dogs with genetic temperament flaws, abuse by previous owners, inadequate early socialization and failure to properly read canine social signals can also be helped. A Canine Dimensions behavior consultant will conduct a thorough in-home evaluation of each client dog, and then develop a precise plan of action to address each problem area.

It’s never too late!

Owners can learn how to “read” their dogs, how to build a strong bond of trust and loyalty in their dogs, and how to behave in ways that communicate leadership without resorting to violence. We can also explain how the family can avoid conducting themselves in ways that can send the wrong messages to their dogs.

If your dog does this...

Pulling on the leash Destructive chewing and digging Housebreaking problems Aggression to family members (including growling or biting to protect food, toys, etc.) Excessive barking Aggression to other dogs Darting out doorways Jumping on people Climbing all over furniture Hyperactivity

Not coming when called Not following other commands, like sit, stay, heel, drop it Resource guarding Stealing food Crying out when crated Separation anxiety Shyness and nervousness Mounting Yard escaping Submissive urination, marking and other inappropriate elimination

...We Can Help!

Every day, dogs are turned in to local shelters by frustrated owners who desperately would like to keep them but can no longer deal with behavior problems. Many of these problems could have been solved quickly and easily with the right approach.

If your best friend is driving you crazy, we can help. Our programs can help transform your dog into the perfect pet.

If you would like more information about one of our dog training or behavior modification programs, please contact us.  We offer in-home dog and puppy training programs designed to solve ALL household obedience problems!