 Preparing for ADOLESCENCE. Crazy dog..! This can happen at around 8-10 months, and maybe again at 18-20 months, in the significant stages of growth for a young dog, the hormone surge / fear phases. So, your lovely young dog who normally behaves, never wees inside, hasn’t nipped anyone for ages, and plays happily with other dogs, suddenly goes haywire. You ask, where did this hyperactive, destructive, crazy creature come from? Good news, your puppy is a healthy, normal adolescent. SIGNS of Adolescence. Reactivity towards other dogs, heaps of hyperactive energy, reduced attention span, poor socialisation, disobedience, wandering, leg cocking (males) chewing and other difficult behaviours. COPING with Adolescence. Listen to your dog, understand what is happening, keep up the training, go back to basics. Aim for mental stimulation. Right now, it’s essential to keep working on every aspect of his training: give him lots of praise and rewards to boost his self-esteem. and confidence. Don’t give up – adolescence won’t last forever.
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Dream Tip Training + Bip Behaviour: AROUSAL THRESHOLD.
Recently, I have come across a number of puppies / young dogs who are presenting all of a sudden with reactivity. I hear "Where has my happy puppy gone?". Have you heard of the AROUSAL BUCKET? Did you know that a dog 'collects' any stimulus (a visitor to the house, a walk on lead, motorbikes, people, rabbits, squirrels, a game of tuggy, a reactive meeting on the walk... etc etc.) These episodes are stored in the dog's Arousal Bucket.. and accumulate throughout the day. Eventually, if the stimulus, triggers and arousals are allowed to reach the top of the bucket, this is called the THRESHOLD. Onced Threshold is reached, it can take up to 72 HOURS to come back down to a happy level..! That is more than 2 days...! Potentially, the dog's choices of behaviour AT Threshold are influenced by his being over aroused, he may not listen, could snap, react and any manner of crazy things. SO...is your dog getting enough 'TIME OUT episodes, with proper switched off periods of rest through the day? This will allow the bucket to 'drain away'.. leaving your dog calmer and able to make wise decisions of behaviour. Be your dog's 'Superhero'. Help them to rest and switch off. Dream Tip + Bip. Training + Behaviour. The 'FEAR Phases'.
It is widely accepted that young pups and dogs can go through a number of phases relating to anxiety or fear. These can be around 8 weeks, 8-10 months (teenage hormones) and again around 18-20 months the maturing phase. The stages are related to, hormones, exposure to stimulus and socialisation. You may think "where has my happy puppy gone?" He is reacting, by barking and lunging, feeling he has to take control of what he sees as a potential threat / stimulus situation. It is crucial at these times to, remain calm, go back to basics with your dog, and be aware of, and acknowledge his alerting you, and the emotions he is feeling. On a walk, you need to read the road ahead, you may have to stand back from the things your dog is reacting to, humans, dogs or traffic, at a safe threshold, to desensitise, keeping his attention on you, rewarding when he engages back with you. Let the dog make his own mind up about meeting people, don't push it. Be a firm leader, especially around the 3 areas of control where your dog thinks he is the boss... that is food, toys and doorways. Always ask your dog to give you something, before you give him anything, this could be a wait, sit, paw, or down. With positive, careful, management, your dog should move through this phase, more mature and able to cope with the big wide world. k9Dreamers. Behaviour + Training - 2 for 1. DISTRACTIONS A 'Behaviour AND A Training' BipTip post together. So, how do we get our dog back from a 'Distraction?' A 'Distraction' is simply something which holds your dogs attention, in place of YOU, either, a scent, squirrel, person on bike, rabbit poo, anything. A few points on this... Know and research your dog's breed to explain the 'hard- wired' genetics, which makes your dog do what it does, to chase, herd, sniff, hunt etc. Most of the time, your dog is just being a dog. But, as your dog grows, he should probably learn there is a time and a place for listening to you. That is your job to teach this, and it IS possible. So, Behaviour and Training challenge together. Happy training. See the attached file and play the 'Engage / Disengage / Engage' Game. Have fun.. :) 
Dream Tip: Training. What do we mean when we say 'Positive Reinforcement'? It's simply about a handler 'Adding or Removing' something to encourage or discourage a specific dog behaviour. Dogs are very clever, they soon know what gets them the reward they want, and so enhancing or decreasing a behaviour. As trainers, we can use this learning. Hope this illustration of mine is useful.. .  Dreamers Tip.Training. The RECALL.
YOU, the owner, needs to be the BEST thing ever for your dog... ....to come back to, from a distraction. Play the 'Lead On, Lead Off' game. (In early days use a long lead). Having let your dog off lead in a safe place, you recall your dog, first take hold of the collar + attach the lead, give a treat AND THEN... play with your dog, go crazy WITH the lead on !! Yay! Then, take the lead off and say.. "Go Play". Do this over and over again. The recall and lead will be fun..! You will be your dog's best friend. Happy dog + Happy Owner. 7If you are a new puppy owner, knowing the basics is necessary. It makes training your new dog much easier. Generally, we have to take note of the following basics:
1) Your puppy doesn't speak English (or any other language). Dogs learn by association, ie if they naturally SIT, and you say 'Good Sit' and reward, they will begin to associate the action, with the word and the reward. We discussed earlier the food treat being the 'Lure' to lure the dog into the desired action or position, a sit, down, or come. YOU have to learn to speak dog! And help your dog to understand you. 2) Understand the psychology of dog learning - Consistency, Individual training, Positive Reinforcement, to reward good behaviour or action. Your attention and praise is a great reward. Using 'high value' ie tasty food treats to reward your dog. Yum! cheese, sausage, liver cake, anything tasty and smelly. Food is a primary reinforcer.. they need food, and will do anything for it. His ultimate aim is to please you. You are his best reward. 3) Using your 'Happy' voice, to praise, encourage and communicate. Don't show your frustration. Making training fun..! 3) Equipment + Management - lead, harness, head collar, treat pouch, etc 4) Give the dog time to work it out..especially as they get older and know. 5) Teach and help your dog to fit into your household, with guidelines, boundaries, and routines. 6) Give your dog time to rest, relax and time to be calm, not to be always on the go and fully aroused. 7) Be his calm, firm, leader. A relationship built on mutual trust, for a happy life. Dream Bip...Behaviour.
Do you have an ANXIOUS, SHY or FEARFUL Dog? 1. Make a plan to get expert advice if needed. 2. Understand the reasons, causes and emotions of your dog. 3. Read your dog's communicating body language signals. 4. Don't push your dog over his 'safe, comfortable threshold'. 5. Consider Desentisation, Counter Conditioning, Behaviour modification AND Positive Reinforcement... rewards for doing good.. :) Be your dog's best friend and superhero.. DreamTip. Training. The LURE.
So, you get your new pup, or older dog. He doesn't speak English, or any other language, there is no point saying "Sit, Sit .... SIT". Initially, you need to teach him what this means, with a Lure. A 'food treat', is your lure, as a 'Primary Enforcer', this means your dog needs and loves food. If it is high value to him, he will do anything, to please you, his best friend. So, we use a treat as a 'Lure'.. to coax the dog into the position, or the action we want. As the dog complies, we say the word with praise.. "good sit, or good down". Eventually, the luring action, becomes the hand signal, and your dog will respond. Help your dog to understand Click here to Dreamer Bip...Behaviour.
Do you have an ANXIOUS, SHY or FEARFUL Dog? 1. Make a plan to get expert advice if needed. 2. Understand the reasons, causes and emotions. 3. Read your dog's communicating body language signals. 4. Don't push your dog over his 'safe, comfortable threshold'. 5. Consider Desentisation, Counter Conditioning, Behaviour modification AND Positive Reinforcement... rewards for doing good.. :) Be your dog's best friend and superhero. |
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