Where to start when tackling Dog Behaviour Issues.

It’s not surprising that sometimes your dog’s behaviour can leave you scratching your head in confusion.

After all, training dogs is, in essence, an act of one species trying to communicate with another in a language in which only one of them is fluent!  

Are dog behavioural issues different from training?

Yes, and at Love Your Dog Training I work with both.  So how can you tell the difference?

It’s important to first understand whether your dog has a training or a behavioural issue as they are easily confused. In a nutshell, training is teaching a dog commands and skills that help your dog to adapt to living with you socially. For example, walking on the lead, recall, sit and stay.  

Whereas a behavioural issue is when your dog struggles to control their emotions, often leading to undesirable consequences.    

 A couple of behavioural examples would be aggression towards family members or strangers, Separation Anxiety where your dog can’t cope when you are not there.  Fear issues such as not wanting to leave the house or being very reactive toward other dogs. Excessive barking is another.

A behavioural issue can only truly be resolved by understanding your dog’s state of mind. Putting a plaster on for a quick result doesn’t work for long, whereas establishing why your dog is behaving this way and then putting in a successful rehabilitation programme will get long term results.  Of course, the right level of positive training can then be used in conjunction with this to help your dog change their view of the world.   

Where do you start if you have a behavioural issue?

First, decide how serious the issue is on a scale of one to ten. Then consider whether you have the skills and knowledge to resolve it. If not, or you are unsure, it’s time to find a professional experienced in behavioural issues to work with you.  

I also recommend that you visit your Vet as many behavioural issues can be triggered by pain. Dogs have a very high tolerance to pain and you may not always see it. Get an all clear from your Vet before moving on.

Teaching calm behaviour

Depending on the issue, many dogs with behavioural issues can be helped by reducing their levels of stress, over-excitement and adrenaline. This is one of the first things I assess when visiting a client.  

A dog that is over excited before they even leave the house will find it difficult to control their behaviour once outside. What do you do when preparing your dog for a walk? Many of us will hype our dog up to state of excitement which can lead to a very over stimulated dog before you even leave the house.  

Next, look at how you react when your dog is not behaving well.  Naturally, we can feel anxious, embarrassed or frustrated, we are only human after all.  I’m often asked if this matters and in my experience the answer is a very definite yes. A dog will often behave quite differently with a calm person, so important to note your own feelings. I find that having a clear plan and a strategy helps.

On the other hand, searching social media for answers and trying different tactics is unlikely to work, and only leaves both you and your dog confused and overwhelmed.  Always advisable to call in a professional if you need help, particularly if your dog is posing a risk to yourself or others.

Behavioural issues can be more difficult to resolve but working with your dog using positive training methods will create a deeper understanding and bond between you both.  Good luck on your journey and do get in touch if you have any questions.