Dog Behavior Guide
Introduction
This guide is designed to train the dog owner to become a dog handler. The difference is, a dog handler understands how their behavior affects their dog’s behavior and acts accordingly to get the best possible results from the dog to make them a beloved member of the family.
Some of what I have to say may sound harsh or unrealistic, but I promise the more techniqies you implement consistenly, the better your dog will perform.
-Monique Aguilar – Dog Trainer
Dog Behavior Development
Home Sweet Home
Dogs belong inside the home. The backyard should be for playing and eliminating waste. There is no such thing as an “outside pet dog”; they have been domesticated over thousands of years to be a member of the human family.
You cannot take an outside dog and expect them to behave inside the home. Many people think they can get the dog trained first while they reside outside and then let them become an inside dog once the dog is trained. It doesn’t work that way. If you want your dog to behave inside the home, they need to be kept inside the home. Obedience training will help, but dogs need to learn manners and proper behavior in the environment they live in.
Dog Crate Training
If you don’t have a crate, get one, preferably a hard-shell airline style crate. A crate is not doggie jail. Quite the contrary, it provides a safe den environment that has a positive impact on your dog’s psyche.
A crate is the most powerful training tool in providing control and structure in your dog’s life. It will single-handedly take a hyper or out-of-control dog and turn them in to calm and attentive dog. When the dog is in training, it should be crated several times per day.
A crate should be tall enough for your dog to stand with his head up, and wide enough for him to turn around. If you already have an open wire crate you don’t need to purchase a new crate, just place a sheet over the wire crate so that only the entrance is open, similar to a birdcage.
Dog Leash
A leash is a close second to the crate as the most powerful training tool. In the first few weeks or months of training, the dog should be kept on a leash or in a crate AT ALL TIMES. A puppy or dog in training should never have free range of the house or yard. It may seem strange to have your dog on a leash inside the house, but it is critical to developing a calm and confident dog who is in tune with what you expect from her. If you need both your hands to go about your daily routine, tether the dog to your waist or belt so that she moves around the house with you. Always hold the leash and tether on the LEFT side. If you’re going to watch TV, work on a computer or other stationary activity, you can tether the dog to a piece of furniture close by. The most important thing is that the dog is always near you and cannot run all over the house. Never use a “flexi-lead” or retractable leash.
Housebreaking Your Dog
The fastest way to achieve housebreaking is crate training. Whether a puppy or adult dog, they should be crated, on a leash, or directly supervised in a confined space, so that they can be taken out at the first sign they need to eliminate, i.e. sniffing the floor, circling or copping a squat. Never use wee-wee pads; it trains the dog to go potty inside the house and that is not what you want.
If you need help with housebreaking your puppy or older dog, See our Housebreaking Training Guide.
Dog Harnesses & Collars
A harness is designed for pulling by placing the restraint on the strongest part of the dog’s body, his chest and shoulders. Think of a horse pulling a wagon. A harness as a fashion statement is fine, but the leash should be connected to the collar, not the harness.
Your dog’s collar should be flat, buckle style, wide, and appropriately sized for your dog’s neck. A prong collar is excellent for training and heeling, especially for large and strong breeds. Stay clear of choker-chain collars that will choke your dog by applying too much pressure to the trachea.
Consistency with Your Dog
Dogs want to behave, they just need to know what the rules are.
Dogs don’t understand that some things are okay some of the time, but not all of the time. If your dog is persona-non-grata on the couch, don’t ever let them on the couch and immediately remove them with the “off” command as soon as they jump on the couch. If you don’t want your dog to jump on you, don’t encourage them to jump when playing. If you don’t want your dog to beg for food, don’t give them people food. If you don’t want your puppy to bite, don’t allow them to bite while playing, don’t put your fingers in their mouth, or put your face close to theirs
Correcting Your Dog
Dogs live in the moment; they don’t remember what they did five minutes ago. To correct unwanted behaviors such as chewing, digging, or peeing/pooping in the house, you MUST CATCH THEM IN THE ACT! It does absolutely no good to try to correct a dog after the fact; they won’t understand why you’re upset with them. If you display anger or frustration, they will learn to fear you.
Furniture
Be consistent on whether you allow your dog to lounge on the furniture. If your dog shows even the slightest hint of aggressive behavior or dominance they should never be allowed on the furniture. However, if the dog shows no signs of aggression or dominance, allowing the dog on the furniture is fine, if it’s what the handler wants. The rule should be consistent, and it should be a mutually respectful agreement. The dog should wait until she’s invited to join the handler on the couch and she should get off when she’s told. In return, don’t get upset with your dog if she takes a nap on the furniture when you’re not around.
Face to Snout
Don’t put your face in your dog’s face, and don’t allow her to do it to you. This type of contact may seem like harmless affection, but it is more likely an exhibition of dominant behavior and encourages biting in puppies.
It is the number one cause of non-aggressive jumping; the dog is trying to get closer to your face to receive the affection (and regurgitated food) they desire.
Sleeping with Your Dog
In the wild, the pack leader sleeps in a place superior to the other dogs, typically at a higher elevation. If you allow your dog to sleep with you, you are telling him that he is equal to you, and he may not respect you as a leader. If your dog has any behavior problems, allowing him to sleep with you will only aggravate the problem by creating a possessive relationship.
Never allow a dog to sleep with a child. Dogs view children as possessions and sleeping with them will likely develop potentially dangerous unhealthy dominant and possessive behavior.
If you would like your dog to sleep near you, provide a doggie bed on the floor of your room, where you will be at a higher elevation to him.
This rule does not apply to service dogs specifically trained to respond to a disability that may occur while the handler is asleep.
Attention
In the wild, the mama wolf does not pay attention to her pup all day. She has her own chores to do, like hunting for food. When they are old enough, she expects the pups to entertain themselves and when they bother her when she’s not in the mood to play, she gives them a gentle bite on the neck to send them away. You should not feel obligated to give your full attention to your dog all day long. They should live comfortably in the house whether you are paying attention to them or not. If they are demanding attention when you are busy, don’t be shy in gently rejecting them by telling them “no”, ignoring them, or crating them.
Fur Babies
Statistics show that more and more adults view their dogs as children, and many couples even choose to have dogs rather than children. Treating a dog too much like a human/child often leads to behavioral problems. The dog will likely become confused and frustrated because they don’t understand their place in the household. If you don’t take the lead, she will assume she is the leader and will develop behavior problems because she won’t understand why you are not following her. If your dog acts like a fool to get your attention, barks incessantly, paws at you, insists on being petted or picked up, you are paying way too much attention to her.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is IGNORE your dog. Play hard to get. Crate her occasionally throughout the day and go about your business. When she is out of the crate, refrain from looking at her in the eye and don’t talk to her unless giving a command. If the dog begins acting a fool, calmly take her to her crate, or simply turn your back to the behavior, and walk away.
Dog Obedience Training
Obedience does not happen overnight. It requires frequent and consistence execution of commands. Commands should be worked into every part of your dog’s day. Whenever your dog “doesn’t listen” or does an undesired act, they should be sternly told NO. Let your dog know that their behavior is unacceptable. Letting a dog get away with an undesired behavior will only lead to more undesired behavior. If you do not lead the dog, the dog will lead you. If you treat your dog as a human, the dog will treat you like a dog.
A common complaint during training is that the dog will behave “for the trainer” or only for a certain family member. If the dog will perform for the trainer, they are capable of performing the exact same behavior or command for the owner. The harsh truth is that if this is not happening, there is likely a lack of respect between dog and owner. The most common problems are 1) the owner is not consistently practicing commands, 2) the dog is too distracted, 3)the owner is not executing the commands sternly enough, or 4) the owner is not following this guide to moderate their own behavior.
Dog Parks
Stay away from dog parks. The person who came up with “dog parks” had absolutely no clue about dog behavior. It was likely born of the idea that we take children to a park to play with other children, so why wouldn’t it have the same benefit to “socialize” dogs? It may seem logical, but dogs are pack animals and packs have no desire to interact with other packs; they are rivals for territory.
When you take your dog to a dog park you are stirring up their territorial instincts, which can lead to aggression.
Dog parks are cesspools of disease and parasites. No matter how clean they appear, it is not a sanitary environment. Nasty bacteria, viruses, and diseases are transmitted in saliva, dander, and feces. You are at the mercy of how well a stranger takes care of their dog. Your dog is susceptible to everything they breathe or lick, and everything their paws touch, which they will later ingest when they lick their paws.
Off Leash Dogs
I do not train off leash because I do not believe any dog should ever be off leash in public. You can never be certain how your dog will react to another dog, stranger, squirrel, or unforeseen circumstances.
In 100% of altercations between a large breed dog and a smaller dog (or human) the large breed will ALWAYS be found guilty, regardless of who was the instigator. This is especially true for Pit Bulls and Rottweilers.
People Food
Refrain from giving your dog “people food” if you don’t want them to beg or stare at you while you’re eating. This is imperative if you will be taking your dog in to restaurants. If you are going to share your food, never feed directly from the dinner table or your plate and require the dog to perform a command first to earn the reward. And don’t get mad at the dog for begging.
Quality Dog Food
I cannot stress enough how important feeding your dog quality food
Most commercial dog food is equivalent to feeding your dog McDonalds every day; it has little nutritional value, it causes shedding, bloating, farting, diarrhea, excessive waste, and it negatively affects dog behavior because they don’t feel good. Research quality dog food and find the best quality dog food you can afford. Visit Dog Food Advisor which ranks the healthiness of a huge variety of dog food. They are the only impartial ratings that I have found. Some parts of the website require paid membership, but the section covering dog food ratings is free.
Locally, Activa Grain Free dog food from Pet’s Barn is a good choice.
Feed your dog two or three times per day. Do not leave food out to free feed. If the dog does not eat his meal within 15 minutes of serving, pick up the bowl and try again at the next meal. Repeat until the dog eats. If the dog does not eat within a 24 hour period, see your vet.
Work for a Living
Nothing in a dog’s life should come for free. Whenever giving your dog a toy or treat, and during play, require them to perform a command such as sit or down. This includes when feeding your dog daily meals; they should be required to sit patiently until their bowl is placed in front of them. Ideally dogs should be in the sit or down position before petting and giving affection.
Toys, Toys, Toys
Toys can be a wonderful training tool and they can make playtime more fun. They should not be used as an alternative to interaction. Dogs should not have free access to toys; they should be kept out of sight until you are going to use them for play or training.
Overall Behavior
Decide what kind of pet you want. If you bought or adopted your dog mainly for the enjoyment of children in the home, and they play excitedly on a daily basis, don’t expect to have a calm dog when you want them to be. If the child is hyper, the dog will be hyper; if the child is excited, the dog will be in an excited state of mind and will not be able to switch from play to obedience. If the child(ren) are the dog’s source of playing and activity, they likely will not pay attention to anyone else in the home while the child is around.
If you want a calm and obedient dog, you need to be a calm handler and frequently require the dog to perform commands. Children should be actively involved in the training of the dog and incorporate commands frequently in to play. The dog should perform equally well for the children as the adult in the home.
Are We There Yet?
If you want your dog to behave in public, you have to take him to public places. If you want your dog to travel well, you have to take her on trips with you.
La Quinta hotels (except New York City and Washington DC) welcome dogs of all sizes, without notice, and most do not charge additional fees.
Dog Conversation
Humans communicate by sight, ears, then nose. Dogs communicate by nose, ears, then eyes. Dogs communicate primarily through scent and sense. Everything they need to know is what they can smell and what they can sense from the environment around them. When you talk to your dog, it is for your benefit, not theirs. Dogs become excited when they hear high pitched voices because they’re programmed to hear the high-pitched squeal of prey.
If your dog is hyper or easily excited, it is important to try to keep your voice low and calm as much as possible. To a dog, it’s not what you say that matters, it’s how you say it.
Know Your Dog
For centuries, dogs have been bred to perform specific tasks. Research your dog’s breed at AKC or find a reputable breed-specific website.
Familiarize yourself with your dog’s breed to understand the instincts that drive their behavior. Mixed dogs will likely take on the traits of the dominant breed, the one they look most like. Ask your vet for an opinion if the dog’s dominant breed is a mystery.
A Dog is a Dog
It is true that caring for a dog is similar to raising a toddler in terms of what they need from us such as food, supervision, potty training, playful interaction, affection, and teaching the difference between right and wrong. But dogs do not think the way humans do; they don’t get revenge on you for leaving them alone, and they don’t do things on purpose to make you mad.
Most of the human-like qualities we credit dogs with, are simply us projecting our feelings or thoughts on them (anthropomorphism) or misinterpreting dog behaviors with our own motivations. Your dog is a dog.
Genetic Dog Behaviors
Not all unwanted dog behaviors can be successfully corrected, especially if the unwanted behavior is what they were genetically bred to do. Herding dogs will herd, hunting dogs will chase, rodent dogs will dig, terriers will bark, and guard dogs will protect.
If a dog has been mistreated in their past, they may have behaviors such as being timid, shy, afraid of strangers, hesitation, flinching, aggressive, possessive, territorial, eating very quickly, housebreaking problems, etc. Most of these behaviors cannot be trained out of the dog if they stem from prior abuse.
Compulvise Dog Behaviors
There are also compulsive behaviors that cannot be cured, such as “phantom pregnancy”. For example, even though one of my Rottweilers is spayed, twice a year her brain tells her body that she’s had a litter of puppies, and she desperately needs to mother anything that will take the place of her “puppies”.
She goes around the house stealing toys, shoes, socks, small pillows, nothing is off limits, and she stockpiles them in a bedroom or her crate. If she can’t find her “puppies”, she starts crying, and I mean a heart-wrenching wail of a cry that just breaks your heart. If my other dog gets near Eleanor’s “puppies” she goes in to protective mode. Stealing items and maternal aggressiveness are not behaviors that can be trained out of her; it’s a condition that we have to accommodate because we love her.
Purely Positive Dog Training
There are many wrong ways to train a dog, but there is no one right way. “Purely Positive” dog trainers typically use clickers and food to train commands (sit, down, etc.) and they don’t believe in telling a dog “no” or introducing a “punishment” to deter the behavior, which makes correcting unwanted behaviors impossible. According to the Association for Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) “purely positive” is the “dog friendly” approach to dog training, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
The “purely positive” dog training movement is responsible for more dog deaths than any other dog training methodology in the industry.
When a “purely positive” trainer is inevitably unable to resolve even minor behavioral issues, they often will use a “bonker” (a rolled-up towel) to hit the dog with. Apparently, this is “okay” by APDT because they’re not hitting the dog “hard”. All forms of hitting, lightly or not, trains the dog to fear you; the dog will immediately begin, and continue from then on, to cower after the first time a bonker is used. If a bonker doesn’t work, the trainer will deem the dog “untrainable” and will suggest euthanasia. They believe putting a dog to sleep is preferable to using other humane techniques, such as a prong collar, slip lead, e-collar or bark collar, or even simply telling the dog “no.” Don’t be afraid to use a variety of training tools and techniques, just be sure to learn how to use them properly.
Thank you for taking the time to read this guide. I wish you all the best in forming a mutually respectful and rewarding relationship with your dog.
Monique Aguilar, Dog Trainer
K9 Basix, LLC
