Behavior

Keeping Your Dog in the Yard Due to Behavioral Problems? Give him Another Chance

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Many dogs are kept outside in the yard all the time each and every day with little social interaction. If dogs could talk, we would  likely hear a variety of reasons as to why they were relegated to their yard rather than spending quality time inside the home with their families. The reasons may be several ranging from allergies to hygiene or odors, but sadly in many cases, dogs are kept in the yard because they never really had an opportunity to learn how to be an inside dog or perhaps they were given the opportunity several times, but the dog just didn’t meet the owner’s expectations. Interestingly, a study provides an insight into the dynamics behind the effects of not meeting a dog’s minimum daily social interaction needs and how it can affect behavior.

dog pawDogs are Social Animals

Dogs are social animals who crave companionship and have a strong desire to spend time with their families. When dogs are socially deprived, this can cause serious welfare implications. Human contact is so cherished among puppies and dogs that the timely implementation of social withdrawal as experienced during a brief time-out, works as punishment for dogs who crave social interactions with their favorite humans.  Of course, the amount of social interaction needed with humans varies between a dog and another and there are several breed variances. Some dogs need more, while some others may be more on the independent side. This article is therefore mostly meant for those frustrated dog owners who wish to bring their dogs inside, but have relegated them to the yard due to behavior issues and the dogs are suffering the consequences, particularly lack of sufficient social interaction.

“Separation and isolation represent strong aversive events for puppies and dogs alike, forming the emotional basis for time-out procedures used in puppy training and behavior management.” ~Steven R. Lindsey

Idle Paws at Workdigging

On top of lacking social interaction, dogs who are relegated to the yard have a strong need for exercise and mental stimulation. It’s often forgotten that dogs have a past history as natural scavengers/hunters who spent most of their days foraging in search of of food. On top of that, many dogs were selectively bred for performing tasks such as hunting, herding and retrieving.

With no way to get rid of pent-up energy and with little to do, dogs kept in the yard all day alone may therefore be forced to find their own forms of entertainment, but these hobbies won’t be appreciated by their owners. Idle paws are a devil’s workshop and dogs may therefore start digging, scratching, chewing and may also engage in incessant barking. Not to mention, aggressive displays targeted towards passersby.

“Chronic isolation situations can be very agitating. For example, long-term confinement to a backyard with a view of passers-by will often (and ironically) product aggressive displays in what would otherwise be a friendly dog.”~Jean Donaldson

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Double the Trouble

Getting another dog to keep the dog company in the yard may seem like a good solution to help make the dog less lonely, but many dogs still crave human interaction. In a study conducted by Meunier et al. in  2012, it was found that, given the choice, dogs chose interactions with humans over interactions with other dogs. Owners who therefore decide to get another dog in hopes of keeping the other dog company, should keep in mind that they may end up with two dogs with a strong desire to interact with humans and spend time in the home with them. Denying this access and/or not providing sufficient human interaction often results in two dogs who are bored, frustrated and likely to engage in undesirable behaviors such as barking and destructive behaviors.

dog backyardThe Indoor/Outdoor Conundrum 

Many dogs who are relegated to the backyard have a history of bouncing off the walls, jumping on people, acting destructive and overall wrecking havoc in the home. Owners may therefore give up keeping the dog in the home or may try to give the dog a few chances before making a final decision. However, many times when dogs are brought inside after being out for a while, their behaviors will not meet the owner’s expectations which can lead to the dog being kept permanently in the doghouse. Yet, there’s an important phenomenon to be aware of before giving up on these dogs.

A study by Waller and Fuller in 1961 revealed that when puppies were brought up in semi-isolation their needs for social contact triggered excessive activity when they were put into a social situation. However, when kept with their litters, there was a 75 reduction in in the number of social contacts.  This seems to suggest that dogs have a biological need for social interaction and when the need for a minimum amount of daily social interaction is not provided, they make up for it, compensating with excessive activity when placed in a social situation, suggests Nancy Kerns in the book “Whole Dog Journal Handbook of Dog and Puppy Care and Training.”

Waiting it Out

What does this mean for the dog owner? It’s suggestive that it might be worth it to wait it out rather than sending the dog out again the moment he misbehaves which will be ultimately adding more fuel to the fire causing the dog’s chances for becoming a house  get dimmer and dimmer. Sure, the dog will likely act crazy in the home after being socially deprived and inadequately exercised for some time, but if you grit your teeth for a while, you may find that with time, you will up the chance for him to learn how to behave in the home. If your dog is a handful, and of course if he acts aggressively at any time, keep everyone safe and consult with a trainer or behavior professional.

When you feel things become unbearable, you can always invite your dog to the yard and engage him to play a structured game or you can use a baby gate and provide your dog with an interactive toy to keep busy while you carry on errands around the house. Of course, make sure to provide daily walks, training and opportunities for mental stimulation. And if you are away for a part of the day, it may be a good idea to hire a dog walker. As seen, as a general rule of thumb, most dogs prefer to stay inside the home with their families along with enjoying the many perks of the great indoors such as soft pillows, warmth and cool air in the summer.

“Dog’s physical, social and behavioural needs are very complex. Meeting these is hard, if not impossible, for dogs living outside. Therefore, we advise against keeping dogs outside. Instead of keeping your dog outside, ask someone to visit and walk them at least once each day.”~RSPCA

References:

  • Oh Behave!: Dogs from Pavlov to Premack to Pinker, By Jean Donaldson, Dogwise Publishing (April 1, 2008)
  • Whole Dog Journal Handbook of Dog and Puppy Care and Training, By Nancy Kerns, Lyons Press; 1 edition (December 1, 2007)
  • Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Adaptation and Learning, By Steven R. Lindsay, Iowa State University Press; Volume One edition (January 31, 2000)

 

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Are You Inadvertently Reinforcing Your Dog?

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Dogs are often accused of barking in our faces, pawing at us, acting pushy, begging at the table and stealing our stuff, but it’s not always the dog’s fault; often we are inadvertently reinforcing their behaviors without noticing. Every time we look at dog behavior, both the “good” behaviors or the ones that we perceive as “bad,” it’s helpful to take a critical view and evaluate what is fueling the behavior in the first place. By carefully evaluating the dynamics, it often turns out that what we do is what is actually fueling the behavior, and therefore the resolution to the problem relies on us changing our ways rather than trying to change our dogs!

old dog learns tricksDogs are Always Learning

We often think that our dogs are learning only during training sessions, but actually dogs are in a constant  state of learning, and that includes learning good behaviors and the bad ones too! While it’s true that young dogs come with a great advantage when it comes to their brain’s ability to create new neural pathways, the plasticity of the dog’s brain lasts a lifetime, meaning that a dog’s brain never stops changing and adapting. Yes, young dogs in particular, are easily influenced and particularly malleable to learning new behaviors. but old dogs can learn new tricks too as new studies have found that even in old age the brain has the ability to be plastic. Following are several ways dogs may learn undesirable behaviors because of a history of owners inadvertently reinforcing them.

“Neuroplasticity never ends, you can in fact teach an old dog new tricks, it just might take a little longer.” ~Shelli R. Kesler, senior research scientist at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Pay attention to me!

Pushy Pawers

Raise your hand if you ever ended up petting your dog while you were talking on the phone. There’s nothing wrong with this really, except when you start rewarding your dog for acting pushy. So you might be petting your dog for a few seconds and then you may stop. Then, because your dog was enjoying the interaction and wants more, he pushes his head under your hand. So you absent-mindedly resume, petting him once again. Then again, you stop. At this point, your dog puts his head on your lap, but since you are not petting him, your dog paws at you so you end up petting him again afterward.

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This scene repeats over and over when you’re on the phone or watching TV, and at one point you may notice that your dog has now started pawing at you more and more often when you’re not petting him. Soon, you are upset that your dog has learned a new bad habit. Off the forums you go to ask for help. “Help, my dog paws at me insistently when I speak over the phone or watch TV! How did this happen? Why is my dog so pushy lately?”

This is a classic example of inadvertently rewarding pushy behavior in a dog. The dog started asking to be pet more and his persistence was reinforced over time. The dog therefore learned that nudging worked in getting attention, but then when the the owner was distracted, he has found that pawing may work. Persistence pays off.

“Clients often tell me that they don’t have time to be constantly rewarding their dog. However, many owners are masters of positive reinforcement-but don’t realise it.”The APBC Book of Companion Animal Behaviour

Boredom Barkers 

This other cliche’ is also a common one: dog owners are sitting on the couch and ready to watch their favorite television show after a long day at work, and here comes Rover who starts bringing his toys and barking at his owners.

Perhaps these dogs have been bored and lonely all day long and have been anxiously waiting their owners’ return in hopes of some fun activity. So the owners finally come home and what? They sit on the couch? Rover must desperately come up with some plan to get them to interact with him. So off he goes to fetch a toy and he presents the slimy ball to them. But nope, that doesn’t work to get them to launch him the ball and interact with him.

So next comes plan B, trying to bark at them. “Hey, toss that ball, won’t you? Let’s play! Let’s do something! Just please, please, please don’t just stay hours watching that box again, I have loads of energy, ya know?” So at some point, the owners make him happy, they finally toss the ball and they toss it several times when their dog barks at them as a reminder, just to shut him up and watch the movie in peace. What did this just teach the dog? That persistence pays off! Too bad though that their owners often end up needing to hire a trainer weeks later as their dog’s barking  starts getting out of control.

Bold Beggars

Who can resist a dog looking at you with pleading eyes as you are enjoying a juicy steak? Many can’t. That’s why there are so many begging dogs out there. Begging at the table is reinforced when owners think their dogs look cute so they give in and give them a tasty morsel. Obviously, the consequence is a dog who will always be sticking nearby the table, making a cute face.  Totally expected.

At times, though the behavior is  inadvertently reinforced. Sloppy eaters like kids may drop many crumbs or the kids may be purposely passing the dog the broccoli they don’t want to eat. Even food accidentally dropped and quickly collected by Rover who coincidentally was at the right place, at the right time, can be reinforcing. No wonder why Rover loves to stick by the table!

Understimulated Stealers

Have a dog who loves to steal things? Have you ever found yourself chasing your dog around the table when he gets a hold of your shoes/socks/underwear/anything you hold in your hands? While this may be frustrating for the owner, the dog is likely instead having a blast! In the dog world, playing a game of keep away is one of the most fun ways to play. One dog grabs a toy and the other dog chases. This game can be highly rewarding for a dog who has loads of energy and a need to play, so this behavior is likely to continue. A fun way for a bored, under-stimulated dog to get his own form of entertainment and involve the owner!

Jolly Jumpersjumping dog

So you know that your dog is not supposed to jump on you, so you make sure you don’t pet him unless he standing is on all fours or sitting. However, when you come back from your week-end trips, your dog is so happy to see you, you cannot resist the commotion and just pet him while he’s standing up against you happily licking your face.

And some goes when aunt Molly comes over. She has owned dogs all her life and doesn’t mind having him jump on her, but you make sure he doesn’t do that with anybody else.

What happens next? You guessed it, you’ll have a dog who will jump more and more and who doesn’t have a clue of which guests he can jump on and which ones he cannot, but the behavior is worth trying as eventually one person or another gives in and greets him happily.

dog digging for attentionNegative is Better than Nothing

Many dog owners are surprised when they are told that for many dogs any kind attention can be rewarding, even the negative type. Imagine for a moment a dog who is left alone all day while the owner is at work. He spends hours at at home doing nothing and eagerly awaits his owners to come home in hopes for a walk or a game of fetch. His high hopes and expectations start fading though when the owner sits on the couch with the remote in his hand. So the poor dog starts casually chewing on the owner’s shoe. The owner get angry “Bad dog! Leave my shoe alone.” Bingo, the dog got at least some attention from his owner! He looked at him and then even talked to him! Soon the dog learns that when he craves attention, all he needs to do is do something the owner doesn’t like.

Playing the Slots

Think that it’s OK every now and then to give in? Think again, this is the best way to give the dog the idea that there are no consistent rules and that persistence pays off. It’s the canine version of playing the slot machines, sooner or later he will win the jackpot. So say, you never feed your dog at the table but then one day you feel sorry because he had a bad day at the vet. So you hand feed him a little piece of steak. Then, for another week no more feeding at the table but Buster is always nearby the table staring at you in hopes of a tasty morsel. All until the next vet visit when you feel compelled to give him a tiny piece again. This is the best way to pave the path to a persistent begging behavior because the behavior is put on a variable schedule.  And don’t just assume that giving a teeny piece in a blue moon won’t lead to begging; studies have revealed that animals will persist and keep trying even if the reward is small and given sparingly.

Did you know? It’s important for everybody to be on the same page when it comes to changing dog behavior. As Steven Lindsay claims goes a long way: “Finally, inadvertent or bootleg reinforcement is a frequent problem in family situations where differences of opinion exist regarding an unwanted behavior… One family member may may feel strongly that the dog should not be allowed on furniture while other members enjoy such behavior and allow it in the objector’s absence… Training requires a united front with a shared sense of purpose and agreement on the behavior being modified.”

Catch your dog doing good!
Catch your dog being good!

Tackling the Issues

When your dog behaves “badly” stop punishing and instead critically evaluate whether there’s inadvertent reinforcement at play. If so, stop reinforcing the behavior (expect a few extinction bursts in the process)  Also, make a commitment to use management techniques so to prevent these behaviors from happening in the first place (for instance when you come home from work, walk your dog, play with him and provide interactive toys before sitting on the couch) and train alternative behaviors so that you can provide reinforcement for behaviors you want (eg. train your dog to drop instead of running after him or teach him to go to his mat and enjoy his Kong during meal times rather than begging for table scraps). Set your best buddy for success!

Also, it’s important to capture those moments when your dog is behaving well. Many dog owners fall into the trap of interacting with their dogs only when they are misbehaving while missing all those wonderful opportunities to reward all those good behaviors that go unnoticed. So pay attention to what your dog is doing so you can change the dynamics and pave the path for catching more good behaviors so to help your dog become a better behaved companion.

 

References:

  • The APBC Book of Companion Animal Behaviour, By Sarah Heath, Rosie Barclay, Julie Bedford Souvenir Press (April 1, 2016)
  • Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. 1: Adaptation and Learning Volume One Edition, by Steven R. Lindsay, Iowa State University Press; Volume One edition (January 31, 2000)

 

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Surprise! Your Dog is Not Aggressive As Thought

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How many times have you heard somebody say: “My dog is aggressive?” Most likely, if you are a dog owner, or frequent people with dogs, you have heard somebody make this statement at some time. Perhaps you may have even made that statement yourself to warn others about your own dog. Depending on who you talk to, the word “aggressive dog” may translate into mental images of a dangerous, snarling dog or perhaps thoughts about legal liabilities. Today, we’ll be discovering how labeling dogs as aggressive is not only harmful to the dog itself, but also inaccurate if we take a closer look into the dynamics taking place behind those “language barriers” between humans and dogs.

dog aggressionAggression in Humans

What exactly is aggression? Psychology expert Kendra Cherry,  defines aggression as “a range of behaviors that can result in both physical and psychological harm to oneself, others or objects in the environment.”

This definition is quite clear and easy to understand for us humans overall, but when it comes to dogs the problem with this definition is in its interpretation.

It seems like many people may interpret things differently, depending on who you ask. What behaviors in dogs are really meant to harm?  Sure we may list lunging, barking, growling, snarling as behaviors that could potentially harm a person or other dog, but is the dog intently wishing to harm when he engages in such behaviors?

As humans, we have complex minds and we often engage in sophisticated thought processes. We plan attacks, go to war, behave out of spite, take revenge and we are even able to harm others emotionally, but what about dogs? Are our dogs really “aggressive?”

” In the end, we may rightly call much human behaviour aggressive. However, dogs are not human, and it’s not fair to project human qualities onto them.” ~Alexandra Semyonova

Aggression in Dogsdog barking

When it comes to dogs, things are quite different than in humans. Dogs don’t act out of spite, they do not plot revenge, they don’t strategically plan a war or look for ways to hurt others emotionally.

In dogs, “aggressive” behaviors are often adaptive, meaning that they have a survival purpose and the purpose in this case is attaining a certain level of control over their environment and its associated events.

This doesn’t mean that dogs are taking every chance they can get to take control over us, “dominating” us as some television show may portray. It simply means that dogs may engage in aggressive behaviors so they can avoid certain things and attain others that make them feel safer.

There is often an element of reinforcement playing a part in the background of dogs who are engaging in aggressive displays. For example, if a dog is fearful of men wearing hats, his barking and lunging keeps men with hats away and the dog soon learns that his behavior works so he’ll be likely to engage in the same behavior next time.

Same goes with  dogs who “hate” the mailman or  a dog who growls when in possession of something. This latter dog is likely telling the person or other dog something along the terms of “I don’t trust you near my resource, now please back off!” Obtaining distance can be highly reinforcing to a dog who feels threatened by someone who risks taking his resource away.

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“Survival itself is the ultimate goal of adaptive behavior. In order to achieve survival, an animal must adapt and control events that impact upon its needs. Aggression is one behavioral response towards that goal.” James O’ Heare

Whale EyesAggression to Avoid Aggression

Dogs often engage in natural behaviors that are actually meant to avoid aggression in the first place. In other words their “aggressive” displays are meant to actually avoid causing harm.

The barking, growling and tooth displays are ways dogs are trying to inform other people or dogs about how they feel. They’re a dog’s plea to please listen to his feelings so he doesn’t have to escalate his behavior to a potential bite. It’s the canine version of  a child “using his words” if you will.” How any times do we will tell children who resort to hair pulling or pushing: “Use your words!”

If you therefore understand a dog’s language, you may see that dogs generally  try to do “everything in their power to avoid aggressive encounters” as Alexandra Semyonova points out  in her book “The 100 Silliest Things People Say about Dogs.”

Dogs therefore tend to engage in what biologists refer to as “ritualized aggression.” While barking, growling and teeth displays are common straightforward ritualistic displays, there are several more subtle ways dogs attempt to manifest their discomfort in a situation. Whale eyes, lip licks, head turns and yawns are all part of a dog’s extended early warning system.

Too bad these subtle warning signs of increasing stress are often missed by many dog owners. If these signs aren’t noticed doesn’t mean the dog didn’t send them out, it’s likely they simply weren’t recognized by the owner, or worse, were suppressed using punishment (never punish a dog for growling!) Avoid punishment-based techniques because they do more harm than good, leading to more defensive behaviors down the road). Then, dogs are blamed for suddenly “lashing out” when they instead tried really, really hard to communicate with us, but we didn’t give them a chance. Talk about language barriers!

“Hard stares, growling, snarling, snapping and biting without maiming force are the “legal” conflict resolution behaviors in dog society.”~Jean Donaldson

The Problems With Labelsdog aggressive terrirotial

What happens when dogs are labeled as aggressive? This “umbrella term” gives the impression that dogs are dangerous, unpredictable and untrustworthy all of the time. Instead, most dogs who are labeled as are aggressive are only acting “aggressively” in specific contexts and situations.

Dogs may therefore act “aggressively” when they feel threatened when people or other dogs come near their bone or when people come near their perceived properties. Just because a dog acts aggressively in a certain context, doesn’t make him aggressive all the time!

Same goes with humans. If you get angry at a person who cuts in front of you when you are in line or tries to steal your wallet, does that mean you are “aggressive?” Certainly not! It’s human nature to over-generalize behaviors.

We therefore end up with dog owners making absolute statements such as “my dog hikes his leg ALL the time” or my dog is NEVER listening. And then comes the labeling cliche’ with its associated statements “my dog is stubborn, my dog is hyper or my dog is aggressive” when in reality the dog is acting this way only certain times.

“There are very few dogs who are prone to aggression regardless of the situation. That’s why it’s helpful to think in terms of of aggressive behaviors rather than aggressive dogs when trying to reduce your dog’s tendencies to growl or bite. Usually these behaviors are related to specific events, relationships or environments.~ Dog Time

dog aggressionAggression isn’t Descriptive

When we label a dog or a specific dog breed as aggressive, we are perpetuating a belief that the behavior is reflecting the dog’s essence. This can be harmful to both dog and owner because it often implies the belief that that specific dog cannot change.

And every time the dog behaves in a negative manner, it’s taken as evidence that the dog is bad, and thus “aggressive.” We therefore end up missing the important fact that the dog is most likely just a dog who behaves normally most of the time, but just happened to react aggressively in a particular context.

Also, labeling a dog as “aggressive” gives little information about what is really happening and it doesn’t help much with arranging a plan to tackle the issue.

“Aggression as it used to describe a dog’s behavior, is not an adjective, it’s a verb.”~ Sarah Hodgson

Changing Labelsdog guarding

What happens though when we replace the term aggressive with something else? This makes us see things from a whole different perspective.

So instead of saying “my dog is aggressive” using the word aggressive as an adjective, we would perhaps say “my dog acts aggressively” or “uses aggression” or “behaves aggressively” when he has a bone.”

This description can be further broken down by removing the term aggressive altogether and describing the aggressive behavior instead, as such: “My dog growls when he has a bone” or even better “my dog growls when he has a bone and I come close to him.”

We now have a clearer picture of what the dog is doing and in what circumstance the behavior is taking place. This can be very helpful for when we consult with a professional and are describing the issue and it helps us also see the behavior from a more positive perspective.

“Actions can be changed, DNA cannot. If you believe your dog IS shy, scared, soft, aggressive, etc., you will become crippled in your training of him by his personality. However, if you believe your dog is acting in a certain way, you will treat him very differently because you will believe you can change his behavior.”~ Connie Cleveland

dog shelterNormal, Natural Behavior
Interestingly, many of us aren’t much surprised when a cat hisses and attempts to scratch when cornered or when bulls react by lowering their heads or when a horse tries to kick another horse.
When it comes to dogs though, our expectations become astoundingly high. We don’t want them to show any signs of aggression throughout their lives, not even the ritualized ones. An expectation that not even us humans can meet, points out Jean Donaldson in the book “Mine!”
A clarification is important at this point: while most dogs are never aggressive all the time, all dogs are capable of acting aggressively. From puppies, to small dogs, to old dogs to mixed dogs, all dogs have a pre-installed tendency to act aggressively when the need arises. If dogs did not have this tendency, this species would probably have been wiped out and extinct  by now as acting aggressively is how dogs protect themselves from harm.
Acting aggressively is therefore normal and natural behavior in dogs, humans and other living creatures. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take aggressive behaviors seriously, to the contrary, it  means that it’s very important to acknowledge the language barriers that divides us and to listen to what dogs are trying to say so that we can take note and try to effectively address our companion’s internal emotional turmoils.
“Our expectations of dogs are very high, actually. The standard we have set for them is one we would consider absurd for any other species of animal, including ourselves… This is exactly like you going a lifetime without ever once losing your temper, swearing at another driver in traffic..writing a hot letter to an editor, ..calling a lawyer…And if it wasn’t enough, we also want dogs to be suddenly aggressive if a crime is being perpetuated against us” ~Jean Donaldson
 Disclaimer: this article is not meant to be used as a substitute for professional behavior advice. If your dog is showing aggressive behaviors, please consult with a qualified professional invested in using humane behavior modification methods.

 

References:

  • Dog Time, Understanding canine aggression, retrieved from the web on August 13th, 2016
  • The 100 Silliest Things People Say about Dogs, By Alexandra Semyonova, Hastings Press (July 27, 2009)
  • Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs, by Jean Donaldson, Dogwise Publishing; 1st edition (January 1, 2002)
  • Aggressive Behavior in Dogs, by James O’Heare, 2014,  Distributed by Dogwise Publishing

 

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Does My Dog Have Separation Anxiety?

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Your dog whines, cries and chews on things when you are gone, but not always these signs are indicative that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. For a good reason, behavior experts call separation anxiety the “great imitator” as it can mimic other medical and behavioral diagnosis. While in this article we will be pointing out other possible conditions that may look like separation anxiety, it’s important to understand that they are not intended to be perceived a diagnosis. Only by seeing your veterinarian or consulting with a behavior professional you can really find out the real answer to “does my dog have separation anxiety or not?”

does my dog have separation anxietyImportance of Differential Diagnosis

When a dog or person presents with symptoms, it’s important to obtain a correct diagnosis. In medicine, the practice of distinguishing a particular disease or condition from others is known as “differential diagnosis.” By collecting the patient’s medical history and perhaps running a battery of tests, doctors, through a process of elimination, can heighten the chances for a correct diagnosis while eliminating the most imminently life-threatening conditions.

A differential diagnosis procedure is important when it comes to behavior problems too. Dogs may show signs of a specific behavior problem, only to discover later that it was a totally different type of behavior issue or  even the result of a medical condition. No wonder the treatment protocol didn’t work! For this reason it’s important to consult with a professional who asks questions and uses a a systematic diagnostic method so to rule out other potential conditions causing similar signs.

idea tipDid you know? A possible cause of separation anxiety appearing so prevalent nowadays is the fact that due to the raised awareness of it, separation anxiety is misdiagnosed with some frequency, explains Pat Miller, dog trainer and owner of Peaceable Paws.

My Dog Has Accidents When I Leavedog window

A dog who eliminates when he is left alone may be a sign of separation anxiety, but it also can be something else. If you are away for a good part of the day, it could be your dog simply cannot hold it for so long. Young dogs may have not been completely house trained and older dogs may be suffering from an underlying medical condition. A dog who starts having accidents out of the blue can be highly indicative of a possible acute medical problem such as a bladder infection. It’s therefore important to evaluate several possibilities.

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For instance, dogs may eliminate when they are frightened or stressed which can happen when they are home alone and exposed to scary noises. There are also chances that dogs who use doggy doors may have been frightened by scary stimuli in the yard so they no longer feel safe and start eliminating in the house. Some dogs may urine mark when they have access to windows and watch other dogs walk by which makes them feel compelled to urine mark. And then you have dogs with a substrate preference, who eliminate in the home simply because they have access to their favorite  substrates (eg. carpet, tiles or hardwood floor.)

dog guilty lookMy Dog is Destructive When I am Not Home

A dog who is destructive when left alone may be a sign of separation anxiety, but it can also be something else. Young dogs are often left home alone with lots of energy to spare, so when boredom sets in, they may decide to entertain themselves by disassembling the remote, destroying pillows and even removing the “entrails” from the couch. If your dog has been punished in the past for chewing items or acting destructive, there are chances he has associated your presence with punishment, so he’ll therefore chew when you are out of the home. Stop punishing your dog and instead manage his environment and provide him with plenty of acceptable things to chew on. Also make sure to meet his needs for exercise and mental stimulation!

Dogs who are stressed, aggressive or scared, may also become destructive at times. These upset dogs may be trying to escape from scary noises and aggressive dogs may start chewing on window sills and doors if they are bothered by triggers such as people or dogs walking by the house, explains veterinary behaviorist Dr. Stepita. Sometimes, female dogs may dig at their bedding as a sign of false-pregnancy (pseudocyesis) following being spayed. In these dogs, hormonal supplementation can help them out, explains veterinarian Etienne Cote. 

” Dogs with territorial aggression vocalize in response to their triggers (people, dogs) passing by and approaching the house. They may even become destructive, chewing and scratching door frames or window sills during aggressive episodes”~ Dr. Stepita

My Dog Cries When I leave the Housedog anxiety

A dog who vocalizes when left home alone may be showing signs of separation anxiety, but it also can be something else. If your neighbors report your dog vocalizes a whole lot during the day while you’re out, there can be chances that he’s reacting to sounds such as door bells, trucks passing by, dog tags jingling, critters in the attic or people talking.

Many dogs will also vocalize when they hear other dogs barking, when they are protective of their perceived territory and when they feel fearful and stressed from some noises. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) may cause signs similar to separation anxiety. Also, it’s important to consider that senior dogs may vocalize more as they show signs of cognitive decline and some may start experiencing distress as they’re relying on their owners more and more for reassurance when their sight or hearing weakens.

“Senior pets may have greater difficult adapting to change and health problems may further contribute to the problem. As the pet’s anxiety and insecurities increase, the pet may seek out the owner’s attention. “~ Gary M. Landsberg et al.

lonely dogThe Importance of Context

Signs of separation anxiety in dogs tend to occur in a specific context: when the owner is getting ready to leave and when he’s gone. Generally, these signs tend to get increasingly more severe as the owner is leaving with the peak taking place shortly after the owner leaves. So if say a dog eliminates in the home when the owner leaves but also does so on the days the owner is at home, it’s likely that the elimination is not related to the owner’s absence.

Same goes with chewing. If the dog chews on more generalized items than door frames, windowsills and walls (as these are perceived by the dog as the barriers separating them from the owner), there are chances that the destructive behavior is not linked to separation anxiety but due to something else.

“Sep-anx dogs are often model dogs when they’re not left alone.”~Jean Donaldson

The Importance of Recordingdog window

So how can dog owners have a better idea on whether their dog has separation anxiety or not? A good place to start is by videotaping the behavior in the owner’s absence. By simply placing a camera at an effective angle that captures the entryway including doors and windows can be quite insightful. Even better, setting up a live webcam can be quite helpful so that the dog owners can return in case the dog is about to become destructive, or  worse, risks injuring himself. Showing the video then to a behavior professional may be quite helpful as it can provide an important puzzle piece along with other clues obtained from the dog’s medical and behavioral history.

As seen, separation anxiety may be sometimes tricky to diagnose. Best to play it safe and obtain a proper diagnosis by first seeing the vet so to rule out certain medical disorders, and then consulting with a behavioral professional so to ensure there are not other possible conditions at play.

“It is critically important that a problem behavior be correctly identified prior to the implementation of a behavior modification protocol. It does no good to try to modify separation anxiety if that’s not really the problem.” ~Pat Miller

Did you know? Separation anxiety is different from isolation distress. According to Malena DeMartini, dog trainer and author of “Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs,” a dog suffering from separation anxiety experiences extreme distress when separated from a specific person, or, occasionally, two people. On the contrary, dogs suffering from isolation distress suffer from the mere fact of being isolated, therefore as long as they have a caregiver to keep them company, any person “will do.”

 

References:

  • Psychology Today, Separation Anxiety: The Great Imitator, Part 1, retrieved from the web on August 11th, 2016
  • Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats, By Etienne Cote, Mosby; 3 edition (December 23, 2014)
  • Do Over Dogs: Give Your Dog a Second Chance for a First Class Life, By Pat Miller, Dogwise Publishing (June 25, 2010)
  • Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat3: Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat By Gary M. Landsberg, Wayne L. Hunthausen, Lowell J. Ackerman, Saunders Ltd.; 3 edition (December 28, 2012)
  • Oh Behave!: Dogs from Pavlov to Premack to Pinker, By Jean Donaldson, Dogwise Publishing (April 1, 2008)
  • How Serious is it and Does it Matter, by Malena DeMartini, retrieved from the web on August 11th, 2016

 

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What Happens When Dogs Hit Adolescence?

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Many dog owners may wonder whatever happened to their adorable puppy who used to listen, follow them room to room and looked forward to a fun training session. Suddenly, they are faced with a multitude of behavior problems that were never encountered before. Did Rover just transform himself into the canine personification of “Dennis the Menace?” In reality, what’s really happening is these dogs hit the doggy adolescence stage, yup the infamous rebellious teenager phase affects dogs too and it’s often when things start to get challenging. Knowledge is power though and being aware of this stage and knowing how to tackle it can help you survive in flying colors.

dog adolescenceA Time of Changes

All dogs go through the adolescent stage, the only difference is that in some dogs this phase is mild or barely noticeable (lucky owners!), while in others it almost becomes unbearable. Generally, how it affects dogs and dogs owners seems to vary on an individual basis and its impact may also depend on how dog owners tackle it.

Generally, dog owners struggling already with puppy behaviors may see a two-fold increase once the adolescent stage is around the corner. The adolescent stage in dogs is a transitory time during which dogs start looking more and more like adults but their brain may still retains some puppy-like behaviors. When dogs hit the dog adolescent stage, dog owners must therefore be prepared for the many physical and behavioral changes that will take place, as the dog’s body becomes populated with powerful hormones.

” As with humans, an animal’s juvenile and adolescent periods have a profound impact on the animal’s behavior. This is the most trying time when raising a pet, and a time when most owners reach the limits of their knowledge and fall short of their obligations as a responsible pet owner.”~ Lore I. Haug

Physical Changes in Adolescent Dogs

Several physical changes take place during a dog’s adolescent stage. The adult permanent teeth come in (move over puppy teeth!) and with this comes a renewed interest in chewing.  The puppy coat may start to shed out which in some breeds translates into massive piles of hair (get ready for making vacuuming your favorite pastime) and large dogs go through that gangly stage during which they reach their adult height but move around awkwardly. Yes, this is when running around and jumping around the house is no longer cute due to the “bull in a China shop” phenomenon!

During the adolescent dog stage, the dog’s head broadens, the muscles and bones becomes more strong and the reproductive system is in full swing to make these dogs suitable for raising the next generation of dogs. As the body prepares for reproductive success, female dogs will go through their first heat (estrus) which generally happens on average around 6 months and male dogs will respond to the release of powerful pheromones given off by these gals.

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Did you know? As adolescent dogs go through rapid growth, they  may develop mild or even severe pain. See your vet if this happens as some dogs may require medication or even surgery, while in others it may be self-limiting, explains veterinarian Dr. Frank Utchen.

Behavior Changes in Adolescent Dogs

Several behavior changes take place when dogs hit the adolescent stage. Male dogs, which undergo a testosterone surge between 5 and 18 months,  may become interested in marking their territory, but not all seem to follow a specific time frame as to when they start lifting their leg. Generally, this behavior is the result of watching other dogs who act as “doggy leg lifting” role models.

Mounting, roaming, urine marking and sniffing around may seem to be these dogs’ favorite pastimes. Behavior changes may be more prominent in male dogs, but female dogs are subject to them too.  Female dogs will come into their first heat which lasts about three weeks. She may become flirty during this time and urine mark  so her powerful pheromones inform male dogs about her availability.

Along with these behavior changes, come some bratty behaviors that irritate owners the most such as ignoring the owner, becoming more confident, having little impulse control and being more interested in the outside world than anything else. Puppies who seemed to be well house trained, may regress leaving around “accidents” for the owners to pick up. Some dogs become fearful and reactive towards stimuli that weeks prior didn’t seem to bother them.

At the dog park, adolescent dogs may no longer get along much with their pals, as they become more and more selective on who to consider friend or foe. Along with all that, comes the topping on the sundae: an abundance of energy which often leads to increased chewing, digging, barking, pulling on the leash and other undesirable behaviors. As the saying goes. “idle paws are a devil’s workshop” when it comes to bored, under-stimulated teenager dogs.

“Dogs do become more neophobic beginning around 6­-8 months. At this age, many dogs seem to begin showing fearful behavior toward stimuli that previously did not bother them. This is frequently the age at which  dogs begin to show some alarm barking and more wariness around strange dogs. “~  Dr. Lore Haug

german shepherdWhen Dogs Hit the Adolescent Stage

In nature, adolescence coincides with the time animals must make important decisions and must become more independent so to raise their own families.While to many this may appear like a rebellious, testing stage, dog owners shouldn’t take it personally; in reality it’s just a dog’s way to follow the course of nature.

The onset and end of this stage is a bit blurry to outline as it doesn’t begin or end abruptly and it varies from one dog to another. Generally speaking, dogs hit the adolescent stages between the ages of 4 and 6  months of age. Its duration though seems to vary as social maturity is reached at different times in dogs of different breeds and sizes.

Generally, in small dogs dog adolescence generally lasts up to when the dog reaches 18 to 24 months, while in large dogs it can linger around up to when the dog is 36 months old.

“Adolescence is the phase where nature demands that they learn to make decisions themselves based on their own reasoning. “Because I said so” is no longer good enough. They are biologically pushed to separate themselves from their parents and to do things their own way. It isn’t rebellion. It’s Nature.” ~Melissa Alexander

10 Tips for Surviving Your Dog’s Adolescencedog adolescence tips

Did you know? The majority of dogs surrendered at the shelter are in their adolescent period. Dogs who aren’t surrendered are often sadly banished to the yard where they are left with no guidance and are set up for failure. Don’t let this happen to you! Knowledge is power.

Many dog owners relinquish their pets to shelters or banish them to yard because they have failed to understand the needs of these dogs during this stage. Here are a few tips to help you survive your dog’s adolescent period.

The good thing about dogs is that their behavior is prone to changing; indeed, we can say that dogs are in a constant state of learning and that encompasses good or bad behaviors. Whether the dog learns to engage in good or bad behaviors is to a great extent really up to us. The plasticity of a dog’s brain makes it possible for dog owners to morph undesired behaviors into desirable ones, especially with early intervention. So here are 10 tips to help you survive your dog’s adolescence.

  1. Socialization is not only for puppies! Adolescent dogs need to continue to be socialized. Yes, there is such a thing as “de-socialization” which happens when dogs are walked on the same routes and only allowed to meet a small circle of people. After some time, “Mr. Social” takes a turn for the worse and starts becoming tense and wary when he meets unknown people or is exposed to situations or experiences he hasn’t been through for a while.
  2. Training doesn’t stop at puppy classes. Get your adolescent dog enrolled in basic obedience and then continue his education with advanced obedience, trick training or other obedience-based activities such as Rally-obedience or Canine Musical Freestyle.
  3. Consult with your vet on when it’s a good time to start any doggy sports or take your dog along for jogging.  An adolescent dog’s bones and joints are still developing and their growth plates still have to close. Intense exercise on hard surfaces may have permanent negative effects.
  4. Reward all those calm behaviors as they unfold and don’t forget to use all those life rewards that are in front of your nose!
  5. Polish your adolescent dog’s recall. While when your dog was a puppy loads of praise and a gentle pats may have been enough, now is the time to get out those high-value treats to make yourself more interesting than any surrounding stimuli.
  6. Ensure you meet your teenager dog’s exercise needs. Twice-a-day walks of at least 20 minutes each may be necessary. Fun games and outdoor activities will hep your dog’s body and mind healthy and happy.
  7. Provide plenty of chew toys to keep those jaws busy. Make it a habit of rotating them so that your dog gains a renewed interest in them when not seeing them for some time.
  8. Keep your dog’s brain mentally stimulated with challenging puzzles and interactive toys.
  9. See a behavior consultant sooner than later if you there are behavior problems you need help with. Behaviors nipped in the bud are more likely to be reversed or at least prevented from becoming worse before they get out of hand.
  10. Last but not least, be patient, consistent and understanding during these trying times. Your effort will be paid off once you start seeing that light at the end of tunnel!

 

References:

  • Clicker Solutions, Canine Adolescence, retrieved from the web on July 17th, 2016
  • Web Vets, Adolescent Dogs by Frank Utchen, DVM, retrieved from the web on July 17th, 2016
  • DVM360, Treat or euthanize: determining which patients can be helped (Proceedings), retrieved from the web on July 17th, 2016

Photo Credits:

 

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Why is My Younger Dog Attacking My Older, Sick Dog?

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Some dog owners may  stumble upon problems with their younger dogs attacking older, sick dogs. Many times, the owners are very concerned because the older, sick dog may not be able to defend himself and this can lead to serious injuries. Often, there is a history of the dogs getting along well for many years, up until the older dog started getting sick and weak which coincides with the onset of the attacks. What is happening here? Many dog owners may assume that there’s sort of “survival of the fittest” phenomenon going on or that younger dogs “attack” just because they detect signs of “weakness,” but there are chances that there may be other dynamics going on that may be missed when dog behavior is categorized under such broad umbrella concepts. This article will tackle some possible causes for  scuffles and fights between younger dogs and older, sick and weakened dogs.

“Leave Me Alone” Signalsdog tongue flicks whale eye

As dogs get older, they may weaken and have mobility issues which can have an impact on their relationship with the other dogs. While when they were younger they could simply move away to remove themselves from a situation they weren’t comfortable with, now they may be forced to use other more impactive forms of communication such as growling or snarling.

Physical ailments in older dogs may also lower their threshold for aggression making them more likely to choose aggressive behaviors over ritualized social signals meant to avoid conflict. An older dog who never had a problem with a young dog placing his paw over a shoulder in a rude yet, playful manner may now react aggressively due to arthritic pain. While many young dogs can adapt and learn to respect more the new boundaries set by the elderly pet, some young dogs may have difficulty coping with these changes affecting what was previously a predictable relationship, explain veterinary behaviorists Debra Horwitz and Gary Landsberg in an article for VCA Animal Hospital.

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“Arthritis can stimulate pain aggression. A push on the shoulders or the rump or a small child landing on a dog with arthritis or dysplasia may cause pain and could cause pain aggression.” ~Karen Overall

Failure to Properly Read Dogsold dog

Dogs often resolve conflict through facial expressions and body postures. Problems though may start when, on top of being weak, sick or having mobility issues, older dogs start suffering from sensory decline.  No longer able to see well or hear well, these dogs may fail to properly read the social signals of younger dogs. Older dogs may also develop cognitive changes associated with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction which can also cause them to be “zoned out'” which can sometimes put them into conflicting situations when they fail to properly read social signals from other dogs and respond to them appropriately.

“Fighting of a younger dog toward a dog that is aging or ill may be a function of the inability of the older dog to respond with appropriate postures and signaling when interacting with the younger dog. This may lead to a change in their predictable relationship.” ~Debra Horwitz, DVM and Gary Landsberg

dog brkFighting Over Resources

In some cases, the younger dog may reach social maturity (which generally takes place between the age of  12 and 36 months) and may attempt to change the way resources are handled. In this case, scuffles arise from the younger dog becoming more and more protective over resources. Everything may go smoothly when the older dog surrenders access to resources, but problems may arise when when the older dog fails to relinquish resources. Owners may unintentionally exacerbate the conflict by intervening and supporting the dog which is more “suitable” for surrendering access to resources.

Another dynamic that may occur is that the owners may baby the older dog more and more as he requires more attention and care due to medical reasons, evoking conflicts since the owner’s attention may be also perceived as a “resource” to guard. According to a study on aggression in dogs of the same household conducted by researchers Kathryn Wrubel, Alice Moon-Fanelli, Louise Maranda, and Nicholas Dodman, the actions of the owner such as paying attention to one dog rather than the other, triggered aggressive behaviors in 46 percent of the studied pairs.

“Challenges may be active and involve food, rawhides, toys, attention or access to any of the aforementiined, or passive and involve posturing and the ability to manipulate the trajectory and behaviors of the other dog.” ~ Karen Overall

Signs of Illnessdog pain goes away at the vet

In some cases, vocalizations emitted by the older dog can be a trigger for a fight. It’s not unusual for an older dog to yelp in pain from an orthopedic or spinal problem or whine repeatedly due to cognitive changes.  In several dogs, these distressing types of vocalizations startle them causing them to become more alert and even rush over and check on the injured dog. To some young, easy-to-arouse dogs though, such vocalizations may cause them to get anxious which can lead to an attack to the older dog. In such scenarios, it’s important to separate both dogs and have the older dog checked out for better pain control and management of neurological or cognitive disorders.

A young dog suddenly attacking an older dog despite the older dog not vocalizing may also warrant a thorough veterinary visit. The younger dog may be suffering from a medical condition that can cause behavior changes that evoke aggression (an example is hypothyroidism). There are also chances that the older dog may be suffering an undetected illness of which the younger dog may have recognized subtle signs of illness. Dogs have proven over and over to us that they can detect early signs of diseases in humans so it wouldn’t be surprising if they could do the same with other dogs, even though their response may seem to us inappropriate based on context.

The Onset of Seizures

Some young dogs may attack older dogs when they are having seizures. Many veterinary hospitals witness this. A dog owners bring in a dog with bite injuries delivered by another dog while the dog had a seizure. In this case, there are chances that these dogs are simply responding to something that they cannot fully understand or something they somewhat find somewhat distressing or threatening. When a dog has a seizure, it can be a very scary experience to witness for dog owners, but dog owners understand what is happening when dogs most likely do not.  If your older dog is prone to seizures and you have other dogs in the house, it’s best to play it safe and confine your epileptic dog away from the other dogs.

“Even if your other dogs have never been aggressive toward your epileptic dog during a seizure, you cannot predict what will happen every time you are not present. “~ WB Thomas, Dipl. ACVIM Neurology.

What to Do

There is really no remedy against aging and the best approach is to implement management strategies so to keep the younger dog and older dog safe. Keeping both dogs together is risky as aggressive behaviors are more likely to to escalate rather than get better on their own. In feasible cases where there are good chances the older dog will recover from a temporary illness, it may be helpful to enlist the services of a professional trainer/ behavior consultants who uses positive reinforcement methods and can provide guidance on how to implement management techniques and help resolve the conflict through humane behavior modification.

Disclaimer: The above are just a few examples of the dynamics that may go on in a household of older dogs and younger dogs. If your younger dog is fighting with your older, sick dog, please play it safe and implement safe management techniques and/or consult with a behavior professional.

 

References:

  • VCA Animal Hospital: Why would dogs fight with a familiar dog living in the same home?,retrieved from the web on July 10th, 2016
  • Clinical Behavioral Medicine For Small Animals, 1e 1st Edition, by Karen L. Overall. Mosby; 1 edition (January 15, 1997)
  • Kathryn M. Wrubel, Alice A. Moon-Fanelli, Louise S. Maranda, and Nicholas H. Dodman (2011). Interdog household aggression:38 cases (2006–2007). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 238, 731–740
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Dog Won’t Potty on the Grass? It Could be a Substrate Preference

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For us humans, using the restroom is just that, a way to eliminate earlier meals and make room for more, but from a dog’s perspective, going potty entails much more, so much more that some dogs are “picky poopers” and some others won’t potty on the grass or other surfaces. Why is that? We might assume that our dogs are being particularly stubborn or fastidious about their potty areas, but sometimes it’s just a matter of substrate preference. Yes, dogs can indeed have preferences when it comes to potty areas, and it sometimes all boils down to how they were potty trained and introduced to potty areas when the dogs were pups.

dog pottying grassJust Like Kids

Many parents out there may remember how tough it was for their children to transition from the potty to the toilet. Indeed, some moms may recall the transition being almost as difficult as getting their child potty trained in the first place! To help their children out, these moms may have had to resort to some astute strategies such placing the potty next to the toilet or using a child-size toilet seat for the toilet. Puppies aren’t much different. Just like kids, they may have problems transitioning from going potty on one surface and then going potty on a totally different one. This is because puppies develop what’s called “substrate preference” which means they develop a preference for going potty on certain surfaces. This becomes a problem with puppies trained to go potty indoors on paper and then required to go potty in the yard on grass, dirt or gravel.

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“Humans experience substrate preference too. Our preferences just tend to be for porcelain. Do you remember the last time you had to go to the bathroom in the woods or in a foreign country where the amenities weren’t quite what you expected?”~ Lisa Rayburn, Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue

A Matter of Preferencedog grasss

According to Karen Overall, puppies tend to develop a substrate preference at around 8 and a half weeks of age. By this time frame, most puppies will have fully developed senses and good physical coordination, which puts them into the position of learning to use a preferred substrate. At this stage, it’s important for the puppy owner to provide guidance on which substrate to use, otherwise the puppy will develop a preference on his own and this may often not coincide with owner’s wishes.

“If the puppy is not supervised and not encouraged to eliminate in a specific spot,  that dog will learn to eliminate in the area that is used most frequently as a youngster.”~Karen Overall

dog shelterWhat You See is What You Get

When a puppy is adopted from a pet store and the puppy is over 8 weeks, it’s important to pay attention to what substrate was being used while there. Many pet store puppies are kept on shredded newspaper so these puppies are forced to develop a preference for this substrate. Dogs in shelters instead may develop a preference for concrete floors. It’s important to keep these preference in mind when adopting these dogs and transitioning them to another substrate.

On the other hand, adult free ranging dogs may be used to using any substrate. When it comes to their elimination habits, these dogs tend to have a lack of inhibition as they are used to eliminate any place they are. When brought into a home, these formally free-ranging dogs may not show a preference towards a particular substrate such as grass, so they’ll need guidance in developing a preferred substrate, explains Karen Overall in the book “Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals.”

“House soiling quickly becomes a bad habit because dogs develop strong location, substrate, and olfactory preferences for their improvised indoor toilet areas.”~Ian Dunbar Dog Star Daily

Some Helpful Tipsgrass

So what should you do if you have a dog who needs some guidance on using a particular substrate? Fortunately, there are ways to help these dogs out. As always, patience and consistency goes a long way in helping these dogs out. Scolding the puppy, pushing his nose in his mess,or smacking his bottom with a newspaper will do no good other than confusing the puppy and making him fearful of going potty in front of you. This means, next time he may pick a place to potty that is out of your sight.  Instead,  focus on lavishly praising and rewarding when your puppy or dog potties in the correct area. Here are some helpful tips:

  • Avoid punishing your puppy when he eliminates on the wrong substrate. Verbal and physical corrections can lead to confusion, anxiety and fear. Not to mention, it can result in a puppy or dog who will potty behind their owner’s back because they have associated the presence of the owner with punishment.
  • Make going potty on desired substrate areas easy, fun and rewarding while making going potty in other substrate areas, difficult, boring and close to impossible (courtesy of management and supervision).
  • Leave feces in the substrate area you wish your dog to use. This can help reinforce in your dog’s mind that this is an appropriate area for going potty.
  • Make sure that when your puppy or dog has an accident on the wrong surface you clean up those soiled areas with an enzyme-based cleaner that dissolves any traces of residual odors. To a dog, residual odors of previous accidents act as reminders of the past which may trigger them to urinate on them once again. While we use our eyes to locate a restroom, dogs use their noses.
  • Don’t leave your puppy or dog unsupervised to potty in desired areas otherwise you’ll miss an important opportunity to reward him.
  • What if you want your small puppy to potty on grass, but its cold, there is snow on the ground or your puppy is sick and you have no other choice that making him potty indoors? A good choice is investing in a grass box or grass potty patch, basically a grass litter box or grass pad just made for dogs. This should help your puppy when it’s time to transition to real outdoor grass.
  • If your dog was used to potty on newspaper and now you want him to go outside on grass, try placing the newspaper gradually closer and closer to the door that leads outside. Then, help your dog generalize by moving it outside near the door and then finally closer and closer to the grassy area you wish to use. After a while, make the newspaper smaller and smaller  by cutting it or folding it until you can remove it completely. Remember to always praise and reward for going potty on the newspaper despite these changes.
  • If you are planning to potty train your puppy on newspaper, but later plan on having your dog potty in the yard on grass, consider that the process can be time consuming and labor-intensive, warns veterinary behaviorist Valerie V. Tynes. If your schedule permits, it’s best to teach your dog to go outside from the get-go.
  • Remember that the goal for potty training a puppy or dog is to guide him on choosing the right substrate. By making going on potty on the right substrate fun and rewarding, your puppy or dog will eventually willingly choose to eliminate on that desired substrate rather than on your carpet or kitchen floor.
  • If your dog won’t potty on wet grass, see this guide on how to train your dog to go potty in the rain.

” A reward may help encourage the association between squatting on that substrate and good experiences. Urinating or defecating is physiologically self-rewarding; you’re rewarding the behavior exhibited in the location chosen. ” ~Karen Overall

 

References:

  • Where it the Bathroom Anyway? Courtesy of Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue, retrieved from the web on July 7th, 2016.
  • DVM360, Canine Housetraining Challenges, retrieved from the web on July 7th, 2016.
  • DVM360, Canine housetraining, Part 3: Elimination training tips, retrieved from the web on July 7th, 2016.
  • Dog Star Daily, Housetraining, retrieved from the web on July 7th, 2016.
  • Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats, 1e 1 Pap/DVD Edition, by Karen Overall MA VMD PhD DACVB CAAB, Mosby; 1 Pap/DVD edition (July 9, 2013)

 

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How Does Rain Affect Dogs?

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“It’s raining cats and dogs”goes the old saying, but when it comes to rain and getting wet, dogs seem to react in different ways. Whether it’s a steady rainfall or a downpour as seen in summer storms, some dog owners seem to notice some changes in their dogs’ behaviors when it’s pouring. Is it just our imagination or is there something really going on that we might not be aware of? Well, in some cases, dogs will tell us straightforwardly that, yes, they hate rain and the associated sensation of getting wet, while on other occasions, their reaction to rain may seem more subtle, making us wonder if rain affects dogs in different ways than us. Following are some possible explanations to a dog’s reaction to rain.

Dogs Who Sniff More When it Rainsdog sniff in the rain

Yes, you are not imagining things if your dog seems more sensitive to smells when it rains. You have likely witnessed this phenomenon of how moisture intensifies smells first hand when your dog got skunked and that skunk smell came back to haunt you when your dog got his coat wet, or, even without getting skunked, you may have noticed how bad that “doggy smell” gets when your dog’s fur is wet. Turns out, there is an explanation for this and, for those nerds out there, it has a scientific basis. Basically, what happens is that, humid air traps smells causing them to linger around much longer than they normally do, explains Avert Gilbert, a “smell” psychologist.

What does it mean to our dogs?  It means that they are offered a “smorgasbord” of smells that are more intense than usual, increasing their desire to go on a sniffing (and possibly, marking) adventure. Even indoor dogs may catch outside whiffs of smell when it rains. There are several reports of dog owners noticing how during or after raining, their dogs will catch a whiff under the door or the air coming from the vents and start whining as they possibly detect the nearby presence of other dogs, cats or wild animals.

“The optimal time to work search dogs is when it’s damp, foggy, drizzling and even raining. Scent needs moisture to survive, which rain provides. Rain does not make scent mysteriously disappear. Rain will not destroy scent, but a heavy downpour on concrete can disperse it, making it difficult to follow a trail.” ~Kat Albrecht, Detective Dogs

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Dogs Who Refuse to Go Out in the Raindog rains

Yes, many dogs have this negative reaction to rain. You can see it on your dog’s face when you let him out to potty and it’s pouring cats and dogs. If your dog hates to potty in the rain, rest assured you’re not alone. Many dogs dislike rain and its associated sensation of getting wet. This “hate” may stem from lack of a proper introduction to rain and getting baths, which should start when puppies are young, ideally during the critical window of socialization. It’s a good idea to therefore start early and turn rain into a fun event by playing under the rain, engaging the pup in fun water games and making baths fun.

Hating rain though doesn’t necessarily stem from lack of exposure, it can also stem from a negative association with it. If you have ever scolded your dog when it was raining because he wouldn’t go potty or for some other reason, there are good chances that he has associated the rain with your scolding rather than “not going potty in the rain.” Also, dogs are often influenced by our mood and reactions to stimuli. So if for instance, you make a big deal about rain such as making a big deal of it, rushing inside when it rains, avoiding puddles on walks etc. there are chances that your dog may pick up these negative emotions and belief that rain and getting wet is something that should be absolutely avoided.  For dogs who hate going in potty in the rain, here are a few tips: tips for dogs who refuse to potty in the rain. 

scared dog fight or flightDogs Who Shiver When they Hear Rain

Some dogs may not hate much the rain or getting wet per se, but they are actually afraid of its noise. For instance, sometimes when it’s heavily pouring, the noise can be scary especially for those folks who live under a metal roof. There are dogs who are scared of the noise produced by hail and then their fear expands to include also loud pouring of big rain drops.

Owners who create a lot of commotion when it rains may also contribute to the problem. Rushing to close a window or to grab clothes that were hanging out while screaming “Oh, no it’s going to get all soaking wet!” can be enough to traumatize a sensitive dogs and make him associate all that commotion with the scent and noise of rain. The fear of thunder in dogs may also generalize to other events associated with the noise of thunder and sometimes this may include darkening skies, the noise of rain and strong winds and even those subtle changes in barometric pressure.

dog loveDogs Who Mate More When It Rains 

OK, this won’t likely affect spayed and neutered dogs much that spend most of their time indoors, but we thought this curious fact was worth mentioning. Interestingly, in India, rain seems to bring more love in the air when it comes to free-ranging dogs. It has been observed that raining causes an increase in the rate of mating in free-ranging dogs in urban environments. Why is that? According to a study, it’s likely a matter of chemistry. Living in an urban environment, dogs are exposed to a lot of “olfactory noise,” and  this seems to interfere with the dog’s ability to discriminate pheromones of female dogs in heat. When it rains though, the increased humidity levels and reduced temperature of the air, intensifis those pheromone signals leading to more frequent matings.

 

References:

  • Changes of pressure and humidity affect olfactory function, Kuehn M1, Welsch H, Zahnert T, Hummel T.,Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2008 Mar;265(3):299-302. Epub 2007 Sep 25
  • When Love Is in the Air: Understanding Why Dogs Tend to Mate when It Rains.Sen Majumder S1, Bhadra A, PLoS One. 2015 Dec 2;10(12):e0143501. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143501. eCollection 2015.
  • PBS Newshour, 8 things you didn’t know about humidity, retrieved from the web on June 30th, 2016
  • Dog Detectives, How to Train Your Dog to Find Lost Pets, By Kat Albrecht (Dogwise Training Manual) Paperback – November 1, 2007

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Understanding Dogs That Stalk Other Dogs

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It’s not an unusual sight: a dog watches another dog walk by, his look is fixated on the dog, then, he lowers his body assuming a stalking posture that mimics the creeping as often seen in predators. Stalking behaviors are sometimes seen more in certain dog breeds than others, but they can be seen in many other dogs. The sight may be funny in certain contexts, but there are cases where the stalking behaviors may be worrisome, especially when there seems to be an intent to harm incorporated in the behavior.

dog stalkA Hunting Strategy

A dog’s stalking behavior can be strikingly similar to that seen in other predator animals we may have watched in some wild animal documentaries. However, nowadays dogs have been domesticated and their natural predatory sequence (eye, orient, stalk, chase, grab/bite, kill/bite, dissect, consume) has been morphed through selective breeding so that they could work with animals without harming them.

Dogs with a history of having high prey drive include those within the herding group. These dogs will stalk, crouch and creep, run and sometimes even nip, but their predatory drive doesn’t encompass the final consummatory phase, explains veterinary behaviorist  Dr. Nicholas Dodman.

This of course is important, otherwise more than herding sheep, dogs would be eating them!

Stalking and herding behaviors may be so strong in certain dogs that, if not provided with an outlet, they will seek other ways to redirect it. For instance, a border collie without sheep to herd may stalk and chase people on bikes or running children, explain Emily Weiss, Heather Mohan-Gibbons and Stephen Zawistowski in the book “Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff.”

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dog tipDid you know? The behavior of crouching down and leaping in the air can be seen in puppies when they pounce on their toys and then shake them, pretending they are prey. This behavior seems to have an early start. According to dog trainer Arden Moore, it first starts to surface at around 5 weeks of age.

A Matter of Playdog stalk

Some dogs incorporate stalking  and other predatory behaviors into their play sessions with other dogs. Dogs may stare, stalk, chase, nip, grab, and wrestle in play.  They often takes turns playing predator and prey roles.

Rough play is often preceded by a play bow, which is a meta-signal that tells the dog that what comes next is just play.

When it comes to stalking, a dog may stare another dog intensely, start stalking and, then suddenly pounce followed by a game of play biting, wrestling or chase. In these “play ambush” games both dogs playing look loose, bouncy and overall happy.

Stalking may therefore sometimes be appropriate when dogs give frequent meta-signals to communicate their playful intent or when dogs know each other well and are familiar with each other’s play styles (think play mates or dogs sharing the same household).

Stalking though becomes risky when it’s exhibited among unfamiliar dogs. Sometimes the dog who is aware of  being stealthily approached (the “stalkee“) may appear somewhat vigilant or worried about the other dog showing a stalking posture directed towards him. He may walk cautiously keeping an eye on the stalker as if he knows he’s a target, and when the stalker pounces, he may just freeze while the other dog sniffs over him or he even may act defensively.

Repeated stalking can become a form of bullying when the dog being stalked appears intimidated by the behavior and hides.  For those who frequent the dog park, this is definitely a behavior to keep an eye on.

stalk dog

Sometimes, an intense stare and stalking behavior can be a sign of big trouble when the behavior is exhibited by a large dog targeting  a smaller dog or some small, furry pet.

Some sight hounds, may see any hare-looking animals as fair game, and this may sometimes include small dogs, explains David Ryan, a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist in the book “Dogs that Bite and Fight.”

Dogs slowly creep towards their target, stalking silently as predatory behavior is usually quiet. If the dog is growling or barking, it’s likely not predatory behavior,  The only exception would be if the dog is held back from performing the predatory behavior and starts barking, but this would be from frustration, further points out David Ryan.

“Preparatory behaviors (eg, sniffing, scanning, searching and stalking) belonging to the prey drive system are under the influence of a positive feedback mechanism that makes their performance mechanism that makes their performance intrinsically reinforcing for dogs. ” ~Steven Lindsay

Behavior On Walksdog stalking other dogs

Some dogs may do the whole stalking/hunker down/creeping behavior when they see another dog on walks. This behavior may be frowned upon by other dogs and dog owners as they may not understand whether the dog’s intent is friendly or not.

It is important not to use aversive methods (leash pops, collar corrections, spray bottles, shock collars etc.) to correct this behavior as this can lead to the dog associating the corrections with the sight of other dogs which can lead to further exacerbating problems down the road.

Instead of correcting the behavior through fear or intimidation, it would be best letting the dog know what to do instead. It’s best to guide the dog into performing a more appropriate behavior (eg. watch me)  before he sets on the intense stare  as this behavior may be difficult to interrupt once initiated  for a good reason Patricia McConnell calls it the “locked and loaded” look!). If your dog is showing worrisome stalking behaviors consult with a force-free dog trainer/behavior consultant.

“Dogs that pull on leash often approach other dogs with a lowered body posture (as they put their weight into the leash) combined with “choking” on the leash. This can be interpreted by some dogs as a stalking-­like behavior and makes the other dog nervous.”~Lore I. Haug –Veterinary Behaviorist

Just for Fun: What Bored Border Collies Do When They Clock Out

 

References:

  • Pet Place, Understanding Hunting & Predatory Behavior, retrieved from the web on June 26th, 2016
  • Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff, edited by Emily Weiss, Heather Mohan-Gibbons, Stephen Zawistowski, Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (July 7, 2015)
  • Off Leash Dog Play: A Complete Guide to Safety and Fun, By Robin Bennett, CPDT and Susan Briggs, CKO, RB Consulting; 1st edition (January 1, 2008)
  • Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Procedures and Protocols, edited by Steven R. Lindsay, Wiley-Blackwell; Volume Three edition (June 15, 2005)
  • The Dog Behavior Answer Book: Practical Insights & Proven Solutions for Your Canine Questions, By Arden Moore, Storey Publishing, LLC (November 8, 2006)
  • Dogs that Bite and Fight, By David Ryan PG Dip (CABC) CCAB, lulu.com (September 17, 2013)
  • Dog Behavior Q and A with Dr. Lore Haug, retrieved from the web on June 26th, 2016

Photo Credits:

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Three Reasons Dogs May Hate The Veterinary Exam Table

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By Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA

Many dogs dread the vet, we all know that, but we sometimes may not be aware of exactly what may trigger their fear. Sure, being touched, poked and prodded in a small room with nowhere to escape isn’t something that dogs really look forward to, and on top of that, dogs tend to pick up the fear of other dogs there and may react accordingly. The exam table though is often overlooked as a source of dog’s fear at the vet, when in reality, many dogs dread it. So what’s wrong with that innocent-looking table? Let’s take a look at it from a dog’s perspective, shall we? Here are three reasons dogs may hate the examination table.

dog scared of examination table1) Lack of Exposure

First of all, the exam table is often overlooked when it comes to exposure. Many puppy owners are often told to get their puppies accustomed to veterinary offices from an early age by stopping by the office for treats. So puppy owners swing by the office, the veterinary staff fuss all over the puppy and give him treats and then back to normal life they go. Many puppies therefore fail to visit the actual exam room, fail to meet the vet and aren’t placed on the quintessential examination table. Even when puppy owners try to set up “mock vet visits’ by placing the puppy on a household table and having other people pretend to be a vet examining the puppy, they miss exposing their puppies to the “real feel” of a vet’s examination table.

A veterinarian’s examination table is unlike any tables your puppy or dog will ever encounter in a household setting, so unless you have a similar surface to practice on, it may be difficult to replicate its feel for the purpose of getting a puppy accustomed to it. Most vet examination tables are made of stainless steel or some other hard metal surface. The reason for use of these materials is a practical one: they are easy to wipe down. Just a few spritz of disinfectant spray and voila’ the table is ready for the next patient. So yes, practical and important for sanitary reasons, but not with the animal’s best interest in mind.

 

2) Negative Associationsdog fear of vet

Does your dog get all excited when you grab the leash and acts all eager to go on walks? Does hearing you open the refrigerator cause him to come running in hopes for a goody? Does the sight of the bath towel cause him to hide in fear of a bath? These reactions are normal as dogs tend to associate events, pairing one to another. So if your dog has a negative experience while he’s on the exam table, he will quickly learn that bad things happen there, so next time (not surprisingly) he will be more uncomfortable and reluctant to be examined there. On top of that, the fear may also generalize to other stimuli or events, so a dog may start with a fear of the the exam table and then end up with other fears such as fear of the veterinary office smell or even  fear of the car ride to the vet.

“When cats and dogs are fractious, scared or embrassing and difficult for the clients, veterinary care is delayed or avoided. This means that patients are seen only when they are sicker and the situation is potentially tragic.”~Karen Overall

dog scared exam table3) A Matter of Feel

One may think at this point that dogs don’t really fear the examination table per se’, but the things that happen on it. However, this is not always true. There may be dogs who are fine with the vet but dread the table. Why? Another problem with the examination table is “its feel.” How does it feel to a dog? Veterinary exam tables are cold, and worst of all, slippery. Not only is the puppy or dog in a small room with little chance to escape, but he’s also placed on the examination table, where he’s touched just about everywhere, and possibly, poked and prodded with needles, and even if he tries to escape, his feet slip out from under him, leaving him in quite a helpless or panicky situation.

Ever seen those humid paw prints left on the exam table? Yup, a sure sign of stress! On top of that, exam tables are high, and many puppies and dogs aren’t used to being lifted up onto the table.

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“I have a slide I show my veterinary students where I show a dog with its legs kind of splayed out bracing itself on a slick veterinary table. I show it to the vet students and say, ‘Do you see anything about this picture?’ Most of them don’t see that the dog is having difficulty standing on that table. You go on the Internet and you type in ‘dog at the veterinary clinic’ and you get all these cute pictures there, and half the dogs have their front feet splayed out because they’re having trouble staying upright — and people don’t notice it.” ~Temple Grandin

Implementing Changes

(Tony Alter/Flickr)
Tony Alter/Flickr)

As seen, examination tables can be scary to dogs! Fear of the vet though is often made of several fears lumped up together rather than one fear alone, but they can start with just one stimulus and then generalize to others. What can be done to help these dogs? Owners and staff of more and more veterinary offices are becoming aware of the implications of pets having negative experiences within their practices’ walls. The late applied animal behaviorist, trainer, author and lecturer, Sophia Yin started a movement called Low Stress Handling, which focused on making veterinary office less stressful to pets and safer for veterinarians and staff.  As of late, there is a renewed interest in making veterinary clinics less scary. Some veterinary hospitals now even hold puppy socialization classes where pups get to be exposed to stimuli associated with the veterinary environment, “like going on a scale for treats or associating the smell of alcohol with training and play,” explains dog trainer Mikkel Becker.

When it comes to the examination table there are several things that can be done to make a change. For mild fear and food-motivated puppies and dogs, the exam table can be converted into a “feeding station” where they are fed tasty treats while mindful vets examine the pet while giving praise and loving on them. Another option is to make the surface of the exam table less scary. Some veterinary hospitals have started to place towels or other nonslip surfaces over the exam table. Veterinary behaviorist Karen Overall, in the book”Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats” suggests using a mat the pet has been previously positively conditioned to. Puppies and dogs can be easily trained to “go to a mat” and sit for treats. Not a bad idea to choose one with a a nonslip bottom. An innovative product is the Ezee-Visit Pet Vet Mat which is purposely built to provide secure footing on slippery veterinary surfaces.

Want to really kick things up a notch? Choose a vet who is willing to skip the exam table all together. Veterinary surgeon Dr. Jennifer Wardlaw for instance doesn’t force her patients to get on the examination table but has opted instead to get down on the floor with the animal for their exams. Talk about putting the pet’s comfort first!  To further help your canine companion, consider still using a mat your dog is accustomed to during these on-the-floor exams.

“Be sure that you have a nonslip surface on the exam table to reduce the pet’s fear and anxiety.” Dr. Marty Becker

 

References:

  • Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats: Techniques for Developing Patients Who Love Their Visits by Dr. Sophia Yin (CattleDog Publishing, 2009; ISBN 978-0964151840)
  • Elsevier, Temple Grandin on new edition of ‘Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals’, retrieved from the web on June 25th, 2016
  • DVM 360, Table the table, and other Fear Free tips from a veterinary orthopedist, retrieved from the web on June 25th, 2016
  • Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats, By Karen Overall, Mosby; 1 Pap/DVD edition (July 9, 2013)

Photo Credits:

  • A vet examines a dog in New York, Archivist1174 – Own work, Photo of New York State Assemblyman Dr. Stephen M. “Steve” Katz at the Bronx Veterinary Center.CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Tony Alter, Clean Bill Of Health, (CC BY 2.0) Flickr, Creative Commons
    Wonderlane Starving puppies, Fuzzy, Orange and Blue Boy, at the Veterinarians office, San Rosalia, Baja California Sur, Mexico, (CC BY 2.0) Flickr, Creative Commons

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