Problem dogs
You have a problem dog? Don't worry! However many trainers you've tried, whatever you've done to try and sort out your dog, I might be able to help you improve your dog's behaviour. If I don't think I can then I won't waste your time and money! More importantly though, if I think I can help, I won't use any harsh techniques. No throw cans, no check chains, no bullying to make your dog comply.

What sort of things can I help with?

Many of these problems need one to one help through a behavioural assessment as well as training. Classes may be appropriate in some cases, but they are aimed at preventing those problems rather than fixing them, so may not be the best option for you or your dog. But however we approach it, you will need a better understanding of what is going on. In some cases referral to a vet may be necessary to eliminate any physical causes.

The nature of the 'beast'!

All dogs show dog behaviour. Not human and not even wolf. They are very close to wolves genetically of course, but it is not as helpful as some books and trainers suggest to view ourselves as some kind of 'pack leader'. You might like to look at these links to some interesting articles on the subject. However you do need to make sure you are in control and the aim of this training is aimed at helping you get the control you need without you resorting to physical force or unpleasant punishments.

Accentuate the positive

In my experience most owners want to be nice to their dogs (as well as have control) and many want their dogs to snuggle up on the sofa next to them while they are watching TV!. Excluding your dog from your family by ignoring him is a more subtle punishment than physically telling him off, but it is still a punishment. For a social animal, perhaps already insecure in the family group, it can have a very depressing effect and can cause more, if different problems. Acting aggressively towards your dog using corrections and tellings off can cause stress and anxiety, which in turn can trigger a wide range of problems including aggresison, hyperactivity and 'disobedience'.

So I focus on building up a dog's confidence through positive and friendly interaction with the owner and the world, teaching the dog what is wanted rather than focusing on (and punishing) what isn't wanted. The aim is to create a friendly, companionable and stable relationship between you and your dog. Dogs are our companions and friends; not members of a 'pack'. I work on trying to teach a dog to happily fit in with human society rather than try to have us try to pretend we are some kind of 'pseudo-wolf' pack leader.

The dog's genes
However a dog is still a dog, not a person of course... and a dog's genes can prompt them to bark, jump up to greet us, chew, bite, chase and all the other things dogs do which we find difficult to live with. Those genes act as a blueprint for the dog's behaviour and they can't be changed. But we can change when and how they show them, and reduce them...which is what training and behaviour modification is all about.

The good thing is that dogs are also genetically pre-programmed to want to be part of a social group, and to avoid conflict, hence the multitude of advance warning signs they have developed as a species, to give us clear signals when they are angry, stressed, anxious, upset or scared. Interpreting those signals is part of the skill in dealing with a 'problem' dog. Take a look at the picture of Poppy, above. She is very subtly saying 'this is my toy and I will be very upset if you try and steal it from me'. The 'hooded' eyes, the chin tucked down, the ears back. She used to show clear signs of stress and anxiety which led to her snarling, growling and biting. Mistaken as signs of 'dominance' her problems were made worse with compulsive and aggressive handling.

Although dogs have adapted incredibly well to human society (which is what makes them such a succesful species) they have no innate understanding of human social behaviour, or ideas of 'niceness' about gardens, where their noses should or shouldn't go, where and when they should pee or bark, what and when they should mate, hunt, fight or eat. If we want to put human rules around those things, then the dog has to be taught them. Sometimes it simply isn't possible to override their essential nature in which case managing situations may be the only realistic option.

The emotional animal

Increasingly we are becoming aware of the emotional part of the dog's nature and recognising that they really aren't that unlike us in the way they react to being bullied or threatened or how they behave when they are confused or stressed. Although dogs are so different to us in so many ways, they are also very similar in others. Dogs appear to reflect our emotional state and if we are stressed, or inconsistent or harsh with them they often find it hard to cope. They might do things we consider 'problems' when in reality they are doing the doggy equivalent of biting their fingernails, or telling a joke at an inappropriate moment! They also learn very much like us. They learn through operant and classical conditioning.

Aggression

A stressed or upset dog is more likely to show aggression. What causes stress? Many things, but not least inconsistency from us people, being corrected and shouted at. Being pushed into situations they are fearful of or feel threatened by. I run Dogs Behaving Badly days aimed at helping owners, trainers and breeders understand canine aggression.

For instance, people who have a dog that lunge and bark at other dogs often believe a class, or kennels (with a trainer) is a good way to get the dog to behave around other dogs. But the last place a dog that's fearful of dogs should be is in a group of aroused, barking (and possibly aggressive) dogs! Imagine you are scared of, or feel threatened by rats? Or snakes? Or crocodiles? Then imagine how you would feel if you were taken to an enclosed space inhabited solely by rats, snakes or crocodiles and physically forced to get up close and personal with them! Imagine how you would feel if, when you tell everyone (including your 'friend' who took you to that place) how threateded or scared you feel, that you are not only ignored but worse, they shout at you to 'be quiet!', and punish you for trying to get away? Of course you are likely to turn aggressive...who in their right minds wouldn't? If running away can't work (because you are on a lead) and asking nicely (by backing off or looking upset) doesn't, your options are bit limited aren't they? However, the good thing is that the dog is pre-programmed to like other dogs on the whole, so unlike human phobias about snakes and heights, for instance, such fears may be reversible if handled appropriately.

A dog that is barking at other dogs, lunging and/or snapping at them is saying very clearly, and shouting to the rooftops, he does not want to be aggressive, he just needs to feel safe!

Even very confident dogs can feel threatened and so try to take control over situations to stop that threat or pre-empt events that have caused them problems in the past. Those dogs are the ones that in the past might have been labelled 'dominant'.

The Clangers effect!

Dogs especially have no way of understanding the human language except as a series of alien sounds which act as 'cues'. Their brains are simply not wired that way. Remember the children's tv show the Clangers? Those noisy and incomprehensible inhabitants of the moon are probably how we sound to our dogs most of the time! Alien beings producing apparently random and very variable noises. For the dog to understand the signifiance of our alien 'noises', and how to work out when they need to be heeded, requires teaching.That is what dog training is about.

Dealing with the problems

Relying on the dog to only behave as we want when he is told is not sufficient.'Obedience', although important, can often just paper over the cracks in the dog's behaviour. Improving the dog's default behaviour in the absence of commands has to be a priority. If you get the dog's underlying behaviour right, then you will need less 'training' to control it. That is what behaviour modification aims to do. I don't perform miracles and change a dog into a different species. But what I can do is give you practical help on reducing the problem behaviour, how to understand your dog better, help him to understand you better and advice on managing situations so you can live together with less aggravation. We look at the 'default' behaviour as well as teach the dog to respond to commands, if that is what is needed.

All techniques used put the emphasis on building a positive, constructive and dog-friendly relationship with your dog. I won't ask you to stare your dog down or throttle him on a check chain (nor will I do that to him either). I won't throw things at him, or tell you not to have a cuddle with him when you want, or tell you its your fault for the way your dog is.

Some problems may be difficult to fix in which case I will offer guidance on your options and give you a realistic assessment of your chances of success.

Return to the home page and check out the options. One to one training/behaviour assessment or classes.