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READ THIS BEFORE YOU SURRENDER! |
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First consider: If YOU are unable to deal with your pet's behavior issues, what are the chances that somebody else will?
When you adopt a dog, you make a commitment to that dog for life.
Before you give up your pet, please read some helpful information below. We will tell you how YOU can take responsibility for your pet and how WE can help you do that! There ARE responsible ways to give up your dog. If you really CARE, please read below and don't give up. Behavior problems are as common with dogs as they are with people! Time, patience, effort and sometimes the help of a professional are the best ways to help your dog through issues. |
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BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS |
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High energy? Chewing? Barking? Separation Anxiety? The first thing to know is that dogs do not think like people do. They do not see the world the same way, or react the way we expect! After all, they ARE a different species. The first step in understanding your dog is understanding how dogs think differently from us. They are pack animals and will naturally want and expect a ranking order within their households. That includes people as well as other dogs. Establish yourself as the pack leader right from the start. NOT by being mean or violent, but by being clear about your expectations and expressing those expectation in a way your dog can relate to. Speak to a trainer or behaviorist about how. A list of behaviorists can be found at the bottom of this page. |
*Articles courtesy of the Ottawa Humane Society
How to handle DOG AGGRESSION
Get started right with DOG TRAINING |
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MY DOG IS TOO ENERGETIC - WHAT CAN I DO?
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| Your dog may be bored, lonely or simply not getting enough exercise. Puppies and adolescent dogs under three years of age require more exercise than grown dogs. Some dogs, particularly the herding and sporting breeds, need to be busy to be happy. If your dog seems to have excess energy, follow these suggestions: |
• Play with your dog daily — try playing fetch in the back-yard!
• Visit dog-friendly parks to allow your dog to interact and play with other dogs.
• Spend at least a half-hour each day walking your dog. Allow time for sniffing and exploring.
• Increase your dog’s mental stimulation every day by teaching commands and tricks.
• Take a dog training course. It will increase bonding and stimulate your dog.
• If your dog is left alone a lot, have a trusted friend, relative or hired dogwalker walk and play with him. Even a half-hour visit in midday will be a welcome diversion.
• TAKE YOUR DOG TO DOGGY DAYCARE!
• Provide your dog with plenty of appropriate toys. When you introduce a new toy, watch carefully to make sure your dog doesn’t tear it up and eat the pieces. Try challenging toys, such as nylon bones and Kong™ toys filled with treats, to keep your dog occupied.
• Rotate the toys periodically to keep your dog’s interest fresh. |
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MY DOG IS CHEWING - WHAT CAN I DO?
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Puppies commonly chew up to the age of 18 months. Grown dogs chew as a way to explore their world. Rather than eliminating chewing, try to redirect it toward safe, appropriate objects. Keep dangerous objects such as pins, string, tinfoil, cellophane and rubber bands out of your pet’s reach. To limit destructive chewing:
• Ensure that your dog is getting adequate exercise and play. If you lack the time to exercise your dog appropriately, his energy will be funnelled destructively.
• Never give a puppy or dog old socks or shoes to chew on.
• Give your puppy a maximum of three safe objects to chew on.
• Until your dog understands the rules, keep tempting items out of his reach. When he is unsupervised, confine him to a safe, dog-proof place with water and toys, such as a crate or the laundry room.
• If you catch your dog in the act, interrupt the chewing with a loud noise or use a squirt bottle with water and offer an acceptable toy. When your dog takes the toy, offer praise and a treat.
• If you suspect your dog is chewing due to separation anxiety or fear, consult with a reputable animal behaviour specialist or a trainer.
• Never punish a dog unless you catch him in the act. The dog will not understand otherwise, an it may make the problem worse.
• don’t expect to totally eliminate the behaviour.
Try to control, manage or redirect it. |
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MY DOG IS BARKING TOO MUCH - WHAT CAN I DO?
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Excessive barking can be an annoyance for your neighbours as well as your family. Until the
problem is resolved, keep your dog indoors when you’re out of the house, and let your neighbours know you’re working on a solution. Dogs bark for all kinds of reasons. Here are a few tips that could help:
• Ensure that your dog is getting adequate exercise.
• Teach a “quiet” command by allowing one or two barks, then saying “quiet” while shaking a
can of coins to distract your dog. While your dog is quiet, offer praise and a treat, a toy or
other positive reward.
• If your dog barks at perceived intruders, such as the mail carrier, desensitize your dog by
having someone walk by the yard. Offer treats and praise as quiet behaviour continues and the person comes closer.
• Don’t confuse your dog by encouraging barking at strangers.
• Have your dog spayed or neutered to reduce territorial barking.
• If you suspect your dog is barking due to separation anxiety, fear or low confidence, consult a dog trainer or behaviourist.
• Consult a dog behaviourist about using a bark collar. A cintronella collar is kinder and more effective than a shock collar. |
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MY DOG HAS SEPARATION ANXIETY - WHAT CAN I DO?
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Dogs with separation anxiety have difficulty separating from their primary human. Typically,
they will engage in difficult behaviour — such as chewing, scratching or howling — within 20 to 45 minutes after having been left. If your dog has separation anxiety:
• Keep your arrivals and departures low key. Do not pet your dog or pay any attention to him for at least 10 minutes after returning home.
• Leave your dog a reassuring object, such as an old piece of clothing with your scent.
• Develop a safety cue that will let your dog know you’ll be coming back. Common cues are
playing the radio or television, or providing access to a special toy while you’re away.
• Often another dog will help your anxious dog feel more secure; however, if you’re contemplating another dog, talk to a behaviour specialist, dog trainer or the DogSOS to ensure you find an appropriate match.
• If your dog is extremely anxious, consult your veterinarian. Dogs with severe separation
anxiety can harm themselves or their homes and may benefit from pheromone (synthetic
hormone) dispensers, drug therapy and the help of a professional trainer. |
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DESPITE ALL EFFORTS MY DOG'S BEHAVIOR IS TOO DIFFICULT |
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| Giving up an animal is never easy for the owner or the pet. If, despite your best efforts, your dog’s difficult behaviour continues, consult a trainer or behaviorist to discuss new strategies. If that doesn’t work, try to find a caring and responsible new home, by fostering your dog with the guidance of DogSOS. We will do our best to find your former companion the happy, healthy home he deserves, providing you too are willing to do the same. Email us at info@dogsos.com |
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LIST OF BEHAVIORISTS IN THE COLUMBUS VACINITY
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| WE RECOMMEND: Pamela (PJ) Douglas / Certified Trainer |
Pet training and behavior consults and group training classes:
614-519-4584 |
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| ACME Canine Laura Pakis, CPT |
740-363-6889 |
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| Certified Canine Trainer/Behaviorist |
| Behavior & Training, Sharon Smith |
614-430-3647 |
RainRainSmith@aol.com |
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| Clickin' for Life Dog Training |
614-439-0902 |
MattVoedisch@hotmail.com |
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| Pet Sitting, Basic Manners, boarding |
| Quicktrips |
614-833-4017 |
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| Training/Behavior Consultation |
| Dog Talk |
614-792-6331 |
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| Civil Obedience |
614-853-3967 |
CivilObedience1@aol.com |
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| Barking, general training of dogs |
| Bark Busters |
877-280-7100 |
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| Relationship Training |
| Camp Woof |
740-747-8600 |
info@campwoofohio.com |
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| Training and Behavioral Consultations |
| Pet Behavior Associate, Annette Neff |
740-965-5061 |
petbehave1@aol.com |
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| Dog, pup training, problem dog training |
| Pawsitive Training Amy Jewett-Sadler |
614-527-1085 |
dogtchr@wowway.com |
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| Behavior, Sporting-Shutzhund |
| Best Pal Tailored Training Charles Gudel |
614-975-2385 |
bestpaldogs@hotmail.com |
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| Wizard of Dog |
614-747-4407 |
wizardofdogz@msn.com |
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| Emerald Isle Kennel |
937-642-8727 |
lmsweeney@highlights-corp.com |
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| Catchnfetch.com |
614-868-8611 |
catchnfetch@insight.rr.com |
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| small classes, private and in-home, behavior modification, using gentle and humane methods |
| Best Friends Dog Training |
740-967-0037 |
best_friendsdogtraining@hotmail.com |
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| Behavior Consultation |
| Dog Logic, Diane Ott, DVM |
614-890-1625 |
doglogic@yahoo.com |
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| Behaviorist |
| Traci Shreyer, MA |
614-370-4534 |
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| ACME Canine Laura Pakis, CPT |
740-363-6889 |
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| Applied Animal Behaviorist |
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| Victoria Voith DVM, PhD |
614-891-2070 |
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| Training/Agility |
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| Columbus All Breed Training |
614-491-7407 |
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| Training |
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| Wild Weavers |
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| Trainer/Behaviorist |
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| Blackburn's K9 College |
614-847-8DOG |
Blackburnsk91@msn.com |
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| Elissa O'Sullivan |
614-578-7931 |
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| AnimalBehaviorAssociates.com |
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Listings thanks to: Columbus Dog Connection |
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