01/08/2025
PROBLEM DOG BEHAVIORS…
YOU HAVE TO HANG IN THERE
I work with so many people with dogs that have serious Problem Behaviors. That’s what I do almost every day. Love helping people solve and control their dogs’ problems behaviors.
However, It can be a lot of stress having and living with dogs that have serious behavior issues. It is not easy for clients trying to solve problem dog behaviors and it is not always easy for me to help them.
When people have serious problem behaviors with their dogs, they all too often resort to simple “Dog Obedience”. You know, Sit, Down, Come and Stay. Or just Punish the “bad behavior”.
Although training the Basic Dog Behaviors is important, they usually don’t get at the "Root Cause" of Serious Problem Behaviors. Most serious problem behaviors are Emotional in Nature and Basic Obedience does not get at the root cause of their problem behaviors.
I usually have the information and answers and can provide the type of training clients need. But am I always successful? Most of the time I am, sometimes I'm not.
Working with dogs that have serious problems requires a lot of time and commitment. I can teach a puppy to Sit in five minutes, Lay Down another ten minutes, Stay, not too difficult. But helping people and dogs with deeply rooted Emotional problems can take months and even a couple of years. It takes Commitment and Persistence!
Most of my clients follow through with the protocols I give them, but some do not.
Some people say they will do whatever it takes, but to stay with the program may not be so easy as they hoped. It usually takes a lot of time to recondition a dog's mind that has aggression issues. And problems like severe Separation Anxiety may not be feasible to implement because of their work schedule. And jumping by a large dog on children or adults can be a serious problem that may be difficult to control.
New Year Resolutions..
Staying with a protocol for serious problem behaviors is like sticking to a New Years Resolution.
For example, on a diet, you may start the year with a real commitment to lose weight and eat healthier, but anyone who has ever been on a diet knows that it is not easy to sustain.
How about going to the Gym? I see and meet many people who start out the year with a real commitment to go to the gym daily. But if I had to guess, most people only keep coming for about two or three months. Its hard work and takes Commitment!!
Again, my point is, working with serious Dog Problem Behaviors takes a Real Commitment and Persistence. Most will do it and follow through because they love their dogs and will do whatever it takes. However, others will start with good intentions and say they will do whatever it takes to help their dog but eventually give up because it's too much work.
I have helped many clients train their dogs for over forty years. I usually handle and work my clients’ dogs when I go into their home. Then I supervise them handling and training their dogs until they get it right. However, it is still up to them to follow through with the training when I leave their home. Most of my clients do, some do not!
Hats off to all those people that see their dogs as family members. They will continue to work hard to control their problem behaviors and ease their stress.
Oh, by the way, my dogs were not perfect. We worked on their issues every day. But I don’t see them as problem behaviors, I see them as just part of them being a dog and expressing their animal instincts in an artificial home environment. In a natural animal habitat, they would not be problem behaviors. In your home, it’s just part of having a dog.
New Years Resolution.
Try not to never give up on your Dog. Make the commitment and stick with it.
Happy New Year to all my Clients & Friends. 🐾 🎊
Ted Aranda
CDPT-KA Certified
Aranda Dog Training
