Q: My dog has so much energy! We walk her twice a day, but she still bounces off the walls inside the house. What else can we do?
A: Dogs need to exercise both their bodies and their minds daily. Try feeding her with an interactive toy such as the Tug-a-Jug. Our active lab mix, Kentucky demonstrates how enjoyable this is in the video to the left.
A: Dogs need to exercise both their bodies and their minds daily. Try feeding her with an interactive toy such as the Tug-a-Jug. Our active lab mix, Kentucky demonstrates how enjoyable this is in the video to the left.
Q: I have an 11-month-old Doberman who is very fearful and submissive with us. What can we do to boost her confidence? (Hannah from San Antonio)
A: For now I would just work on getting him socialized. Have socialization parties, invite friends and family over to meet your dog and have treats at the front door to give your dog. Let the dog go to people on his own, and don’t let people go to the dog or chase him around. Once he is more confident enroll him in obedience classes, I offer private in home training or get him in group classes with someone.
Another big thing, as far as psychology goes, is don’t try to reassure your dog when he’s acting fearful. If he’s scared and you pet him to try to calm him down, what you are actually doing from the dog’s point of view is saying “good dog, that’s how I want you to feel.” The best thing to do when he’s acting fearful is just ignore it.
A: For now I would just work on getting him socialized. Have socialization parties, invite friends and family over to meet your dog and have treats at the front door to give your dog. Let the dog go to people on his own, and don’t let people go to the dog or chase him around. Once he is more confident enroll him in obedience classes, I offer private in home training or get him in group classes with someone.
Another big thing, as far as psychology goes, is don’t try to reassure your dog when he’s acting fearful. If he’s scared and you pet him to try to calm him down, what you are actually doing from the dog’s point of view is saying “good dog, that’s how I want you to feel.” The best thing to do when he’s acting fearful is just ignore it.
Q: Our Leonberger Kate WILL NOT calm down for the initial 5 minutes when a visitor arrives at the house. Have tried leash training making her sit. Have tried treat training so our "visitors" show up with a treat in hand to calm her. Have tried the ignoring her route. Nothing has worked. We love Kate's enthusiasm when someone comes over, it's the jumping, barking, stepping on people and in some instances knocking them down we dislike!! Please help ;)
A: Ignoring her won't work because she is a large-breed dog. If she jumps, even if the guest is ignoring her, she's going to make them move and, to her, she just got a reaction. The treats probably have just made her more excited guests are coming over because now she is expecting a treat. At this point, I would have her sit, lie down or go to place someone knocks on the door. We use "place." The dogs know they have to lie down on place and they cannot come off unless they hear "free."
A: Ignoring her won't work because she is a large-breed dog. If she jumps, even if the guest is ignoring her, she's going to make them move and, to her, she just got a reaction. The treats probably have just made her more excited guests are coming over because now she is expecting a treat. At this point, I would have her sit, lie down or go to place someone knocks on the door. We use "place." The dogs know they have to lie down on place and they cannot come off unless they hear "free."
Canine Behavior Specialist
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