Do your dogs and cats get along? Some people have cats and dogs who live in harmony right from the start. Others have to worry about opening the wrong door and accidentally letting their pets into each other’s areas. If you are in the “doors must stay closed” category, don’t panic! Most dogs and cats …
These are exciting times! The world is opening back up and soon life will be back to more-or-less normal. Unfortunately, your dog may not be as happy about this news as you are. This past year, every dog had a great day almost every day During the COVID-19 pandemic, our dogs got to have something …
Is your dog anxious? In my position as a professional trainer, I see a lot of anxious behavior: anxious behavior in dogs, anxious behavior in cats… even anxious behavior in humans whose pets are making them anxious! The exact behavior varies, but the underlying issues are often similar. Our pets lives can be stressful, and …
How teaching anxious dogs what to do can help them feel less anxious Read More »
More people are working from home than ever before. Are you one of them? While the extra-short commute from your breakfast table to your desk is great, transforming your home into your office can be challenging. Your spouse wanders in to ask you questions while you’re trying to focus. Your children decide to make “cameos” …
Canine Co-workers: The number one dog training tip for people who work from home Read More »
Anxious barking is caused by anxiety or fear, and often happens when a dog sees a “trigger” such as a stranger, another dog, or a motorcycle. To stop anxious barking, you must identify the source of the anxiety and either eliminate it (if possible) or train the dog to accept it.
Demand barking is designed to get your attention. Unlike alert barking, it doesn’t usually relate to a change in the environment. Demand barking is basically your dog’s way of saying “Hey! Pay attention to me!” The best way to eliminate demand barking is to ignore it completely whenever it happens.
Alert barking occurs when your dog perceives a change in the environment. Dogs who alert bark excessively are often reacting to triggers around the home, such as birds, cars, and your neighbors.
Boredom barking happens when a dog is bored. The best solution to boredom barking is to keep your dog more entertained.
There are many different types of barking, including boredom barking, alert barking, demand barking, and anxious barking. This introduction is the first in a series of articles providing information on different types of barking and how to handle them.
Clicker trainers and other positive reinforcement trainers spend their lives finding ways to say “yes” to their pets, rather than constantly saying “no.” Research shows that reinforcement is a more powerful tool for modifying behavior than punishment.