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Your Choice- Obnoxious Dog or Well Mannered Pet

Jack Russell TerrierEvery day, I speak with clients about meeting their dogs’ basic needs. Most of us assume our dogs are getting plenty of exercise and stimulation when the dogs are alone (or with other dogs) in a large fenced area. The dog is in the great outdoors, so she must be getting enough exercise, right?

Wrong. This is not usually the case, unless you have a turbo Jack Russell Terrier, like the one pictured in this post. Crisco hunts and chases critters for hours. Occasionally she’ll dig, because, she’s a terrier! Do not be surprised when your terrier redesigns your flower beds or digs up a shrub. The word terrier comes from the Middle French terrier, derived from the Latin terra, meaning earth. Get it? 🙂

Some dogs do know how to entertain themselves when alone in the yard.

All dogs, and especially guarding types such as German Shepherd Dogs, are at risk for refining territorial aggression if their primary jobs involve constant watching and barking at people and other dogs that pass by the yard. Yikes, that can’t be good!

Beagles and hounds may bay or bark for hours on end.

Labrador retrievers and other breeds dig, destroy fencing and furniture, chew low voltage air conditioning wires, lick bar-b-q grills, dismantle wooden decks, scratch back doors, run along fences and bark at the dogs next door, et cetera.

Some of my clients keep their dogs in the back yard because the dogs are ill mannered inside the house. The same dogs are ill mannered in the back yards.

If you want to reduce normal, unwanted behaviors, you’ll need to meet your dog’s basic needs. Make a list of behaviors you would like from your dog. Learn about training methods and teach your dog. Take your dog for daily walks in the neighborhood.

You can have a rude dog who makes your life miserable, or you can have a well mannered pet. It’s your choice. Visit other pages on this dogand site to begin your adventure.

Happy Training!

Alan J Turner

How’s Bentley – Memphis TN – Canine Relationship Solutions

Private and Group Dog Obedience – Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett, Cordova TN

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iPhone 3Gs Video ** Do it or Suffer: Your Weimaraner Needs Exercise!

WeimaranerToday I went with my clients, Derrick and Megan, to Shelby Farms to exercise Bimmer, their 1 year old Weimaraner dog. Scroll to the bottom of this post to watch 2 iPhone 3Gs videos of Bimmer playing fetch.

I first met the clients January 2009, when Bimmer was a puppy. Derrick and Megan were model students, and it shows. Bimmer was an excellent guest at the dog park. Derrick and Meagan have a wonderful Weimaraner dog who is well mannered and loads of fun! That’s not the case with owners who do not obedience train or exercise their dogs.

If you do NOT teach your puppy basic obedience and provide enough stimulation for your dog, problems will emerge. Excessive digging, escaping, jumping, barking, chewing, and destruction are common signs that an untrained dog’s needs are not being met.

At 4.500 acres and 20 bodies of water, Shelby Farms is one of the largest municipal park in the USA.

In the lower picture, Bimmer has a fire hose fetch toy. I could throw this toy much farther than the plastic retrieving dummy. Dogs seem to really like fire hose material. Although it’s not a chew toy, the texture is a bit different and the fire hose is very durable. Amazon has a great selection. Here’s the best one I’ve found at the best price.

Weimaraner Fetch

Click below to see 2 videos taken with iPhone 3Gs. The Splash is my favorite!

Fetch

Splash

Happy Training!
Alan J Turner – How’s Bentley – 21st Century Canine Relationship Solutions
Reactive Dog Group Workshops
Mini-Obedience Courses
Group and Private Dog Training in Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett TN

New iPhone app -Dog and Puppy Shake – Fun Facts and Trainer Truths
21st Century Dogs – Dog and Puppy Club

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Why Do Dogs Dig?

Crisco, the Rough Coat Jack Russell Terrier, teaches Java how to dig for treasures!

Why do dogs dig?

There are many different reasons dogs dig.

  1. to get food
  2. to hide food
  3. to cool their bodies
  4. to warm their bodies
  5. to escape
  6. because they are anxious
  7. for self play
  8. for attention

Some of my clients want their dogs to stop digging. That’s okay and I can help. Like many other unwanted canine behaviors, I must identify the root cause of the digging before I can help.

First, ask yourself these questions:

Does my dog dig only when I am away, only when I am present, or both when I am away and when I am present?

Exactly where does the dog dig? under the gate, in the middle of the yard, under a rock, tree, or bush, under the fence (not at gate), adjacent to the side the house?

What type of hole? shallow hole – long enough for your dog to use as a bed? deep hole, narrow trench?

If the dog escapes, what does the dog do / where does he or she go? several hour neighborhood adventure? right next door or to a specific house? waits on my porch or in my yard?

Are there any specific times when your dog is more likely to dig and escape? before a storm? when you leave? when loud trucks pass by?

By answering the above questions, you can determine why your dog is digging and take appropriate actions to reduce the digging behavior.

For example, if your dog is digging shallow, broad holes next to your house, it’s probably to cool down or warm up. Install fans, awnings, or a wading pool to help your dog stay cool. Build a shelter with a light bulb “heater” to help your dog warm up!

If your dog is digging in the middle of the yard, he or she is playing or hunting for small rodents such as moles or voles. Increase your dog’s exercise and stimulation program and rid your yard of the moles and voles!

To learn more about moles and wildlife damage management, visit this site: http://icwdm.org/handbook/mammals/Moles.asp

Happy Training!

AT

Alan J Turner, Companion Animal Behavior Counselor & Trainer – Canine Specialization

Private and Group Dog Training in Memphis, TN

Owner: How’s Bentley