13/09/2025
BUSTER: Buster is back and doing some more training. You guys will remember this little guy who was screaming, had massive separation anxiety, struggled to calm down and was generally very neurotic.
When i picked him up today he was frantically charging through the house, into the garden and back again on repeat. Knowing what we are looking at when it comes to behaviour, is super important because when we see the reality, we can help the dog.
Especially with behaviour like this because I feel it's misread by so many, so easily. Most people see a dog like this and would describe this behaviour as "happy" and "excited". I see a dog that is stressed and desperately trying to release tension and frustration.
The first thing we did was go for a long walk where he spent some time on a long line to allow him to run and also did some short lead walking to help teach him to calm down and that life doesn't need to be a million miles an hour.
Once the walk was finished I encouraged Buster to sleep and rest. This is important because he needs to absorb what he's learned and a lot of the craziness that he displays is over tiredness as, if given the choice he will return to frantically pacing, circling, bouncing over furniture and zooming around the room.
I'm sure you guys will remember the screaming, whining and crying that Buster did relentlessly previously. This was all the time with Buster previously and with his owners there's also a lot of barking, pacing, circling and zooming behaviour. Here's what's interesting. Once Buster has been for a long walk and afterwards has his movements restricted through the use of a crate, there's no barking, no crying, no whinning, no pacing. He lays down and sleeps. Providing a dog with a place for them, where they can feel relaxed and safe from the environment around them allows them to get the rest they desperately need. An adult dog should sleep for a minimum of 15 hours a day. Sleep is important for growth, to aid in the absorbing of new lessons, creates more positive behaviours and leads to an overall mentally and physically healthier dog. Buster's owners haven't used a crate with him before because they believe this is cruel. It's not the tool, it's how it's used and how it's introduced. I introduce crates to dogs as positive places to be which represent safety and relaxation. They are NEVER introduced as a place of punishment. Crates are for relaxation, not punishment. It took Buster seconds to feel safe and secure and allowed him the rest he so desperately needs. For this particular dog a crate has brought the gift of peace, the ability to rest properly and the ability to relax fully. All of my dogs are crate trained as I believe this is fundamental to their development and overall health and well being.
