Your Growling Dog is Not Love

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A Growling Dog is Not Cute Either

Susan thought her dog’s growling at people was a sure sign that her dog loved her.

That is, until her Chihuahua Jupee nailed her brother.

Now Susan avoids having anyone over at all. She’s afraid of a repeat offense.

Listen, I’ve heard it many times before. One dog owner said it like this: “There’s nothing wrong with my dog, he’s just particular about who he lets in the house!” I don’t mind my growling dog protecting me at all.

Call your growling dog, territorial aggression or being over-protective, but don’t call it cute.

These were serious issues going on with Susan and her dog.

She avoided dealing with it, but she finally realized her problem began with her – not her dog.

Susan got her dog to love on. In doing so she never provided Jupee with structure or leadership.

Jupee discovered how to control the relationship with Susan.

Over time, Jupee began to assume the leadership role herself.

The love and affection Jupee got from Susan became a valued possession she did not want to share with anyone.

She would do anything, including biting, to keep everyone away from Susan.

Here’s how we tackled Susan’s dog behavior problem.

Where There Wasn’t Structure – We Added Structure

We immediately put Jupee on a learn-to-earn program where she had to sit for everything.

With no previous training, we had to go back to the beginning and teach her to do the elementary commands of sit and down.

This allowed Susan to begin the process of adding structure to address her growling dog.

Funny thing about Susan’s obedience training.

Susan noticed that Jupee actually looked forward to the training sessions and she also seemed calmer.

Where There Wasn’t Exercise – We Added Exercise

Susan began to walk Jupee twice daily. The longest walk was in the evening after work. Exercise helped to manage her stress and Jupee’s stress better.

Structuring the walks helped to keep the message of control consistent.

The first and last third of the walk Susan required Jupee to stay by her side.

The middle of the walk Susan released Jupee to snif, pee/poop and explore with her nose but only after she did a sit.

Where There Weren’t Limitations on Affection – We Added Limitations

Susan began to limit how much she doted on Jupee and only petted her or showed affection when Jupee did her sits and downs first.

Brief petting was okay.

Susan also took my recommendation of keeping Jupee off the couch and giving Jupee her own bed for the living room and to sleep on at night.

The Final Touch for the Growling Dog

After 6 weeks of work, she began the last part of the training.

Susan invited good friends over to test Jupee’s obedience and good behavior.

She did this before she could get up the nerve to invite her brother over again.

We set up controlled exercises. i.e. sit at the door on leash to greet and laying down by Susan’s feet (with a Kong toy) while she visited with her friends.

Finally with renewed confidence, Susan convinced her brother to visit again with her and Jupee.

This time everything was under control with Jupee on leash just as she had practiced.

Greeting at the door was on leash and Jupee stayed on the floor by her side in a down with a Kong toy while they talked.

This was a significant improvement over the trauma of the previous visit.

Jupee’s life has changed for the better and at last report she seems relieved to have Susan take over the leadership role.

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.
I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.

 

 

Curated selection

My Out Of Control Dog Embarrasses Me

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5 Tips on Fixing Your Out Of Control Dog

Clumsy attempts to correct your out-of-control dog, in public, is more often than not, worse than not doing anything.

Your wild attempts to grab and control your dog makes him think you want to play and your attempts to control go from bad to worse.

Sound familiar?

If your dog won’t look at or listen to you then I’ve got 5 tips to help you avoid that embarrassing public behavior.

Here’s the concept for changing an out of control dog:

You can’t begin to enjoy good manners in public before you first get good manners in your home.

I know this may sound strange – but only because you have not have realized the connection.

Getting your dog to listen to you at home first sets the foundation to get better behavior in public.

Here’s How to Fix Your Out Of Control Dog

  • Exercise your dog (2 times for 30 minutes)
  • Exercise is a known stress-buffer for both you and your dog
  • Train your dog (3 times for 2 minutes) – and teach your dog to “Settle.”
  • Working on rapid-fire sits and downs begins to get your dog to pay attention & listen
  • Teaching “Settle” is a good substitute for the down stay until he learns. Placing your foot on the leash close to your dog’s collar will get him settling more quickly.
  • Set expectations for your dog (sit for everything)
  • Putting this kind of structure gives him a job to do. He begins to think of ways (commands) he can get you to give him the things he wants.
  • Mentally stimulate your dog
  • Have plenty of puzzles and challenging toys (roller balls, Kong toys, chew bones, etc.) for your dog to figure out how to get what’s in – out.
  • Food check for your dog (go high quality & grain-free)
  • Make sure it is free of carbohydrates and sugar – increases excitability.

You should practice in your home first.

Once you begin to see improvement in your dog, listening to you and watching you, THEN take your dog outside for practice.

A Couple of Important Tips for Successful Control of Your Dog

Stay away from as many visual distractions as you can. There will be more than enough to distract him with things he hears and smells.

Once you begin to see a difference in his focus outside in your neighborhood, you could try the real public. T

Take him to a Starbuck’s with a friend. Keep him in a settle position by your side while you enjoy your vanilla latte AND all the compliments.

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.
I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.

 

Dog Still Peeing in the House

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Warning! It May Not Be How You House Trained At All

Okay, you thought you had your dog house trained. But he’s now peeing in the house! It’s like starting all over cleaning up after your dog again and it stinks.

Listen, I get it. It’s got to be very frustrating.

I’m going to give you 3 tips to stop your dog peeing in the house forever but first —

Here’s a clue. It might not be how you house train at all.

Sally and her husband recently experienced the exact same thing as well. They said,

“We just knew we had him house trained but now he’s marking inside!”

I heard another owner say it was “Because of their poor house breaking habits and they now see being stuck with a grown dog that is marking inside.”

No one has to be stuck with a dog marking inside…not with these tips, but

What’s the missing link? If it’s not “how you house trained” it might be LACK OF STRUCTURE

What Does Structure Have to Do With House Soiling?

Not building a strong foundation of structure or expectations for your dog – what to do and when to do it, can create stress in your dog and make him feel insecure. In time, an insecure dog can start marking inside just to feel more secure.

Now, what if you knew how to help your dog avoid all his stress because now you know how help him feel more secure and confident? Would you like that? Is that a “YES” I hear? I thought so.

My 3 tips to see how you can remove his stress and enjoy your dog – and have a home that smells fresh once again! Here they are:

  1. Don’t reinforce insecurities and neediness with constant free petting. Instead, build confidence through training – Sit for everything – especially love and affection.
  2. Give love and affection only after it has been EARNED – then only in moderation.
  3. Make sure everyone in the house, including kids of appropriate age, are on the same page. Not knowing what to do, when to do it and who to look to for instructions can begin to reinforce your dog’s insecurities.

Don’t forget, you must be patient and give it time to work – 4-6 weeks

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.

I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.

Well Mannered Dog – One Tip

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Mary Saw Well-Mannered Dogs Everywhere She Went

 

Her friends had nice dogs; people at the park had well mannered dogs.

Mary’s question to me was: Why isn’t my dog well mannered?

I reminded Mary, the dogs didn’t come that way.

Yes, but “I have a husband with a full time job, 3 kids and we’re trying to keep it all going.
Needless to say. I know we have neglected training and walking our dog.

But Who Has Time to Train?

A recurring problem with Mary’s dog was miserable manners at the dinner table.
If he wasn’t jumping on them he was jumping on the baby’s high chair or scavenging for food under the baby’s chair.

She was stuck with inaction because she did not know how to begin working with her dog that had no training.

Should she begin with sit-stay? How do I even get started? Where do I find the time?

That’s what everyone says: who has time! You do.

Let me teach you one secret, one tip, to begin helping your dog reach his full potential.

A Good Start Towards Good Dog Behavior

Here’s the secret, my one tip.

All good basic dog training starts with training your dog on leash, even in the house.

It’s the only way you can get control of your dog and reinforce what your want him to do.

Here’s how to do it.

A Well Mannered Dog Begins In the Home

In Mary’s case I told her:

Work on settling your dog down by your feet 3 times an evening for just two minutes.

Then gradually build the time to 10 minutes.
The time clock begins when your dog finally settles into a down position and becomes resigned to being there.

Once the time requirement has been reached, release your dog and repeat the exercise 2 more times that evening spaced about 45 minutes apart.

Now Move the Training to the Dinner Table

Once you’ve accomplished this – a 10 minute settle – then start practicing manners at the dinner table.
Mary should have her husband settle the dog down by his foot during dinner.

A very small matt can be provided to identify his settle space.

Keep up your settle practice for 6 weeks and then begin to practice it without your foot on the leash both in the living room and at the dinner table.

If at any time your dog starts to revert back to his old ways, your foot goes back on the leash.

The amazing thing is – once you begin controlling your dog in the house “on leash,” your dog becomes much more attentive and watching you.

That’s the beginning of a well-mannered dog!

Mary is now hearing compliments on her dog’s manners.

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.
I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.

Dogs Get Jealous - Avoid a Fight

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What Does Dog Jealousy Look Like?

Dogs Get Jealous

Mary described it this way: I was petting Maggie when Sunshine decided to stand in my lap and snap at Maggie.

It was as if Sunshine was jealous and saying: Don’t pet Maggie – I’m your baby – pet me instead.”

This sounds cute, but it’s not. But, it might have made Mary feel “special”.

It was a red flag of a disaster waiting to happen.

If Mary’s love was given without either dog earning it then both dogs got the message Mary was there at their “beck and call” and they didn’t need to earn anything.

In their world, if Mary’s affection was theirs for the taking, they may fight over that affection.

In the example above it is obvious that Sunshine was the bossier dog and the jealous dog.

Signs of Bossiness That Can Create Jealousy

  • Wins tug games with its sibling
  • The bossy dog never seeks attention from the subordinate dog. It is always the other way around.
  • Bossy dog usually commands and gets the best resting areas and tends to guard and covet toys
  • Bossy dog hogs his way through doorways going in or out of the house
  • Bossy dog gets jealous when you pet the other dog(s) and can growl, snap or bite.
  • Your dominant dog humps your other dog.

How the Trouble Begins

When two dogs live together, as a general rule, they instinctively work out – and respect - their own pecking order.

But when owners, like Mary muddy the waters then the bossy dog gets confused about his status and can get jealous.

Let me show you how this can happen.

Mary treats both dogs equally and doesn’t support the bossier dog. Mary doesn’t feed Sunshine first for example.

What Do You Do?

Know the behavioral signs given above, so that you can clearly identify your dominant dog. Then respect his position by doing the following:

Feed your dominant dog first but require a sit for food. Do not let him steal your other dog’s food.

Give your bossy dog his stuffed Kong or treats first. Require him to sit for his treat and do not let him steal your other dog’s Kong or treat.

Let your dominant dog go in and out doors first. Control the doors and require a sit before he and your other dog go in or out.

Give your bossy dog attention and affection – requiring a sit first and then give affection and attention to your other dog.

If needed, put your dominant dog in a down/stay to prevent him from trying to monopolize your affection. Don’t go overboard with the affection.

Obedience Training Works Wonders

You and only you know how good your dogs are at obedience commands – sit, down and stay.

Obedience commands become very useful in controlling your dominant dog in situations where he may want to be more expressive of his dominance. A good down/stay comes in handy.

Dog owners that consistently train their dogs will say, “I’ve seen a dramatic change in our dogs’ behavior when I remember to train.”

On the other hand, this owner recognized that the opposite was also true: “It is clear to me how we confused our dogs by our family members giving in and not being consistent.

Now that we have started to work together as a family on being consistent with the dogs, things are much better.”

Daily practice on commands with your dogs individually will keep the stress level down in your house. It also reinforces your leadership over both dogs.

You can avoid fights by maintaining daily obedience exercises with each dog individually, giving them plenty of exercise and supporting your dominant dog consistently every day in the ways I’ve recommended.

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.

I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.

Dog Behavior Problems 3 Top Posts

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3 Irritating Dog Problems and Their Solutions

easy solutions to 3 top dog problems

In a nutshell, these are your “Top Pick 3” for last year. Enjoy!
This is what you told me you helps you with your dog behavior problems.

Training for Good Dog Door Manners #1

First of all what does that mean? And, just how do you do that?

You must first decide what do I want my dog to do instead of jump on people? Then you go about working on the bad dog behavior at the door.

The perfect greeting for your dog is of course a well-disciplined sit.

There is a simple, quick fix solution to work on at the door with your dog.

Practice the new dog behavior until you have that perfect greeting just the way you like it! Want to know how?

Here’s how to get good dog door manners

3 Tips for Training Your Fraidy-Cat Dog #2

Is this your fraidy-cat dog? He doesn’t want to leave the safety of his home.

You want to take him for a walk but he won’t let you collar him up, let alone get him to go outside!

This problem is frustrating not only for you and your dog. He’s a prisoner in his home.

Then on top of that what do you do if you have more than one dog?

Here are 3 dog training tips to help your fearful dog

How Do I Stop My Dogs Fighting? #3

Can you tell me how to stop my dogs fighting?

Wrong question!

The question should not be “how do I stop my dogs fighting.” It should be: how do I prevent my dogs from fighting in the first place.

You have at least two dogs who are confused about their pecking order in the home.

The result of that confusion is trouble on the horizon, more potential dog fights down the road.

Here’s my take on that.

My belief is that your dogs have no problems working out the pecking order.

It’s your influencing interactions that can complicate matters and cause fighting between your dogs.

You might need to read that again.

Stop your dogs from fighting today!

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.

I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.

 

Stop Your Dog’s Peeing in the House

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Yuck! That Awful Smell of Your Dog’s Peeing and Pooping in the House.

 

 

It’s the elephant in the room no one wants to talk about.

How many cans of air freshener do you go through in a week just to temporarily mask the smell of your dog’s peeing and pooping?

You probably also think you’re between a rock and a hard place.

On the one hand, you’d like to replace the carpet to permanently get rid of the smell. But on the other hand
you know that as soon as you put down your new carpet, he’s going to pee on it too.

It’s time to Re-house Training Your Dog

Let’s eliminate some “obvious” reasons for your dog’s house soiling.

If it’s one of these, it’s an easy fix.

  • A Urinary Tract Infection
  • Over feeding or
  • An abrupt diet change can all create house soiling

But, It Could Be Relationship-Based

  • Loving on your dog too much causes him to miss you when you’re gone and how does he relieve his stress? He pees in the house.
  • If you correct your dog for doing things you don’t like yet you fail to give him the structure he needs to function in your world, he can pee in the house.
  • A new dog addition causes a marking contest.

If any or all of these ring a bell, start requiring your dog to sit for everything for more structure in his life.

You must also:

  • Break the “house-soiling cycle” by crating or gating him or keeping him on a leash attached to you when in the house.
  • Begin a “re-house training” program immediately.

Here’s a step-by-step process to stop your dog from peeing in your home. Maybe you could then get your new carpet.

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.

I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.

 

Overprotective Dog Problem

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An Over Protective Dog Can Make You Feel Safe

You probably feel protected when your dog growls at people on walks.

But the other side of that behavior is you now avoid having friends over because he barks and growls at them too.

Sometimes getting your companion dog becomes the very reason for your dog behavior problem.

Your dog’s unbridled doting/loving lifestyle begins to (as with many dogs) cause him to view you differently.

You’re not his owner, you are the provider of all the good things he gets for free.

He now begins to guard this valuable possession – you. An overprotective dog has been born!

What Are the Freebies That Turn into Guarding You?

  • Free food
  • Free access to you on the couch and bed
  • Free potty breaks and walks
  • Everything is free, free, and free

There is no balance of free stuff and working for stuff

Put structure back in your dog’s life.

Your relationship is a key ingredient in the foundation of the fix so begin by balancing his needs with yours.

What Do You Need From Your Dog?

A sit for all of his needs: food, space, toys, affection, walks and potty breaks. If you control what your dog needs you will eventually get your dog working for you!

Reprogramming yourself means you have to remember to do this every single day.

Many a dog’s overprotective issues have been fixed by simply doing all of these things consistently.

How overprotective your dog is will determine whether dog behavior modification exercises will be needed to put the finishing touches on your own dog.

The value of structure is critical in your dog’s life.

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.

I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.

 

Separation Anxiety -Dog Goes Nuts

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What if – just what if I could tell you how to help your dog begin the recovery process from his separation anxiety?

But let me explain your dog’s separation anxiety to you.

This may help you understand.

I think the best way to explain it to you is how I overheard my wife describing it to someone over the phone.

See, your dog with separation anxiety is kind of like a junkie who needs a fix – and when his fix is gone – his world falls apart.

You are your dog’s fix! When you’re gone, his world falls apart.

Begin Working on Your Dog’s Addiction to You

My goal is to get you enjoying more peace of mind knowing your dog can begin to relax more as you prepare to leave AND be calmer – even at ease – during your time away!

Owner Mistakes with Separation Anxiety and their Dog

In the video I explain what I’d like for you to take a look at. These are a few things I’ve recognized at as “owner mistakes”.

Think if you’ve made some or all of these mistakes with your dog.

It’s short but here’s the list:

  • Too much love and affection – usually on his terms. Bet you didn’t know that simply touching/petting your dog in a loving way could create such problems.
  • Not enough or no structure in your dog’s life
  • Not nearly enough exercise

If you can see your way to avoiding these pitfalls, you can eventually return to – and enjoy, the stress-free life you once had with your dog.

Training Aids for Separation Anxiety

There are many holistic training aids for separation anxiety I write about. Remember to be consistent in your training every day in every way.

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.

I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is not a roadblock for us to work together.

 

Jim Burwell dog trainer

Dog Barking at Guests - The Fix

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Are Your Guests Intimidated by Your Dog’s Barking?

If fewer people are coming over to visit you might want to watch this video.

Here are 3 tips to fix that embarrassing behavior of your dog barking at guests.

To practice “and” also use with your visitors, you should have:

  • a leash
  • food treats and
  • a stuffed Kong

Tip #1 to Begin Fixing the Barking

When you hear the knock on the door, take your dog to the front door on leash or have one there waiting to leash your dog.

The leash lets him know you are now in control.

Your dog will be much more compliant and responsible on leash than off leash – no leash is a mistake most people make with their dog.

Let your visitor know that you are going to sit your dog before they come in and instruct them to come in

ignoring your dog and have a seat.

Make sure that where you sit your dog gives your friend enough room to easily come in and sit down.

Praise/treat your dog for a quiet sit.

Progress to Tip #2 Hands On With Your Barking Dog

Once your visitor is seated, take your dog in and settle him down by your foot – with your foot on the leash.

Give him a stuffed Kong as you visit.

Tip #3 – Practice Makes Perfect To Stop the Barking

Practice many times with willing family members and neighbors until you can begin to see that your dog is getting it – you’ll see much, much less barking – especially with more and more set-ups.

Be prepared to practice and train with your dog daily for at least 4 weeks so that this becomes your dog’s default behavior.

Help yourself to more information available on barking at visitors.

Together We Can Raise A Happy and Obedient Dog

You got your dog for a reason. You wanted to share your life with a happy and loving dog. But now, your dog has big problems and life is not happy.

I can help you get that happy, well behaved dog back no matter where you live. We’ll do private lesson in your home OR we can do private video lessons where geography is no longer a roadblock.