Eager Beagle Dog Training

12/12/2023

Does your dog butt in, or bark, or otherwise "act out" when they see you hugging someone? To learn why, and what to do about it, check out this article from Tufts Universitys Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Here are the main takeaways:

Your dog might be feeling...1) a dog version of jealousy at not being included, or 2) confused by hugging behavior because it's not something that dogs engage in, or 3) concerned that they're seeing aggressive behavior and feel they need to defuse it, or 4) unhappy about "sharing" their special person with someone else, or 5) just bored and looking for something to do.

What to do? You can try...1) giving them some private time when you need private time--put them in another room with a Kong, bully stick etc. 2) a desensitization & counterconditioning approach where you try getting your dog to form positive associate your gestures of affection toward other humans one baby step at a time 3) providing plenty of exercise AND mental stimulation/enrichment so your dog's behavioral needs are met to minimize frustration and attention seeking.

My 20-pound cockapoo, Bentley, is a very docile service dog who never barks outside the home or for food or water. But strangely, even if he’s lying peacefully on the floor, as soon as my wife and I embrace in affection, or lie down next to each other, he runs over to us and barks until we stop and...

04/11/2023

This interview with Dr. Zazie Todd of Companion Animal Psychology hits on so many essential points about training dogs with anxiety and fear. Key moments: 1) at 2:52, Dr. Todd explains the complex range of factors that can contribute to fear and anxiety, and how anxiety medications prescribed by a vet can boost the effectiveness of behavior modification by calming a stressed dog so they're able to focus and learn. 2) at 9:37, she recommends giving anxious, fearful dogs as much control, choices, and predictability as possible, including providing a safe space to retreat to. She also touts the stress-reducing benefits of enrichment activities like food puzzles and sniff walks.

In the space of a few short years, discussions around 'anxiety' and 'feeling anxious' have entered the mainstream. While the rise in anxiety among humans is a well-documented phenomenon, the similarly rapid rise in our companion animals has flown under the radar. Yet, our pets, particularly pooches,...

03/11/2023

For anyone who has ever asked, "When can I stop using treats to get my dog to do what I ask," this smart article by Kristi Benson via The Academy for Dog Trainers has your answer: If you want your dog to do what you ask, every time, without hesitation, even with tons of distractions, you should never stop using treats to motivate your dog. And when your dog does what you asked, reward them consistently and generously. Some behaviors are "expensive"--they conflict with what your dog would rather do. These include cues like "come," "leave it," and "drop it." You're asking your dog to give up an opportunity. So if you want them to make that sacrifice, to do what YOU want instead of what THEY want, then your thing has to be worth a LOT. That comes from a long history of being rewarded for doing it, and a strong expectation of being rewarded again.

"But just like a Border Collie with a tennis ball, there’s a catch here. Dangling a thin schedule might feel great, but it can create some issues down the line for the dog and owner."

From the archives, by Kristi Benson:
https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/blog/dangling-reinforcement-schedules/

01/11/2023

Does your shy, fearful dog want to stay close to home, while you try pushing their boundaries to walk farther and longer? Rethink your strategy: less is more.

You coax your anxious dog to walk farther & longer, but they're stressed and don't enjoy it. So stay in their comfort zone and focus on fun.

12/10/2023

Does your dog have stranger danger? Do strangers try to pet them anyway? Be your fearful dog's bodyguard.

If your dog has stranger danger–fear of new people–it’s your job to shield them from unwanted attention whenever you’re out & about. The trouble is, your dog is so darn cute that everyone you pass on the street wants to pet them. Sometimes they even ask for your permission. But what if your dog says no?

Your dog is afraid of strangers, but they won't stay away! Here's how to keep your distance and help your dog feel safer and more confident.

28/08/2023

Let them sniff! This article make so many good points about the importance of giving dogs as many chances as possible to use their scent superpower. Think of a walk with your dog as a visit to a smell museum.

Canine behaviorist Renee Rhoades told Newsweek: "Engaging your dog's nose as much as possible throughout the day is bound to improve their mental health."

03/07/2023

Do’s & Don’ts for FEAR on the FOURTH

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03/07/2023

Top tips for keeping your dog safe & sane on the 4th:
1. Make sure they're wearing ID with your current PHONE NUMBER.
2. Check that their microchip info is up to date in the registry.
3. Walk them early, before dark, before the sensory bombardment begins.
4. Prevent them from slipping their collar in panic--use a well fitted martingale collar, or a harness, preferably one that clips in the front.
5. Leave them home--even if they love people, picnics, etc. 4th of July is just too overstimulating--and not in a good way--for most dogs, and there's a serious risk that your dog will run away in fear.
6. If you have calming supplements like Zylkene, Anxitane, or Adaptil, use them generously all day on the 4th and for a few days after.
7. If you have a prescription for an anti-anxiety med that your vet advised you to use "as needed for stressful situations," THIS is one of those situations.
8. Let your dog hide.
9. Comfort them. Don't worry--you can't "reinforce" fear; you can't train an emotion.
10. Use layers of sound to mask the noise of fireworks--white noise, brown noise, music (esp. classical--or reggae!), TV, fans, etc.

27/06/2023

19/05/2023

Cooperative Care

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19/05/2023

This is a webinar on Cooperative Care that I co-hosted with Harmony Animal Hospital, a veterinary practice whose ENTIRE staff is Fear Free® certified through Fear Free Pets. Cooperative Care is one of the fundamental principles of Fear Free® vet visits. Your dog should be a willing participant in their care, and with practice at home, you can help them prepare!

18/05/2023

So much good stuff in this article. Dog brains, people brains, mouse brains, monkey brains...the basic neuroanatomy and neurochemistry, hardware & software, are pretty much the same. We may not think the same thoughts, or feel the exact same feelings, but we all can experience stress and anxiety. And treatments can be pretty similar in some ways. If you don't like your dog's behavior, instead of just trying to make it stop, get curious about what's behind it. Maybe it's driven by fear, frustration, anxiety, or stress.

Instead of scolding pets, consider exposure therapy and antidepressants.

11/05/2023

I'm looking forward to presenting a free webinar tonight for Harmony Animal Hospital clients on Cooperative Care!

05/05/2023

I'm excited to announce that I've completed Malena DeMartini Price's intensive and rigorous certification program and have now added separation anxiety training to my services!