Obsessive Compusive Disorder (OCD) in Dogs

Dogs can and do obsess – some lick carpet, their feet, grout, the sofa fabric, air.  Some focus intently on cars, golf carts, or other moving objects such as tennis balls.

Where does this behavior originate?  Is it genetic?  Is it psychological?  Do they need medication?  When a human has a compulsion, they are observed, counseled, and some require medication.

When dogs exhibit the behaviors mentioned above, we tend to look at it like it’s not that big of a deal.  We may not try to work with the dog until what they are doing begins to annoy us or they are injuring themselves.  They may lick their feet or skin until they bleed.  The are so focused that nothing seems to break their trance.

Some breeds need to work.  They are genetically wired to fulfill a purpose.  If we don’t provide a healthy focus or something that engages their greater purpose, they may focus and eventually obsess on something else less appropriate.   Once they have gone into the trance-like state, it is difficult to get their attention.

Distracting them just prior to the second they go into their obsessive behavior is key.  See if it is a matter of boredom or their need to “work.”  Obedience training and behavior modification go hand in hand.  Some behaviors will shift automatically once the dog is given a job.  That may be putting a backpack on them and going for a focused walk.  It may be teaching them to do things you may not normally think of – learning to turn on lights, pick up things off the floor for you, or agility classes, etc.

When dogs have a lot of energy and a lot of intelligence, being left alone without a greater purpose, can lead to obsessive-compulsive behaviors as their focus is misplaced. If this goes on long enough, it will take a lot of time, consistency, and understanding on your part as you work with them to alter this behavior into something more positive.  It’s time well spent and you and your dog will both be happier!

If you have any questions or concerns about a behavior in your dog, please send a note in the box to the right.

Stop a Barking Dog

Some dogs have a keen ear for the obvious.  I have told my most prevalent barker – “Thank you, I would not have known there was a helicopter flying overhead if you hadn’t barked!”  He may bark to let me know I closed a cabinet door.  He may always be the great protector.  He will, however, quiet his bark when told to do so – my favorite response to this silliness is “not necessary.”  He seems to get it.

I have stated before that dogs bark.  That’s what they do.  An important aspect of stopping this behavior is not to wish they never barked, but that when you acknowledge their notification, they stop.  It takes time and consistency for them to get it.  It can be extremely annoying and a complete nuisance to have a barking dog.  While you can’t do much if they live next door, you can work with your dog to find their triggers and what works to change it.

If they bark non-stop while confined, do not let them out of the space unless they are quiet and calmed down.  If they bark to go outside, by all means, let them know that is good; however, don’t open the door until they are calm.  It is difficult at times, but very important to pay attention to the behavior you are rewarding.

Most dogs bark for a reason – even if it is something so obvious that other dogs find no need in alarming the neighborhood.   It may also seem as though your dog just likes the sound of it’s bark.  It can be “youth,” boredom, lack of socialization, a breed characteristic, or practice for that 3:00 A.M. call!

As with most behavior modification, the change begins with you.  Pay attention that you aren’t rewarding them for barking.  They will bark, and learn to stop once you acknowledge them and ask them to “quiet.”  Developing a leadership relationship with your dog is the first step in them changing this behavior.

How Important is it for Your Dog to Heel?

Heel is the word used for having your dog walk along beside you.  They are to be walking at the same pace and hopefully in the same direction!  The purpose is so they are not pulling you down the street and they have the understanding they are walking with you and not the other way around.

Their head should be approximately in line with your left leg and not a head’s length in front of you.   Why are they on the left?  Good question.  It most likely started with hunters and the human’s right hand was occupied with a weapon so the dog was on the left.

I am asked a lot why the dog needs to heel.  Clients may want their dog to learn “sit” and “down” and “stay,” but wonder why it is necessary to learn to heel.  If you ever need to have your dog on a leash and out in public, you will want them to work with you and to walk nicely at your side.

Teaching your dog to heel is one of the building blocks of your relationship.  They don’t absolutely have to learn it; however, it’s like learning algebra prior to learning arithmetic.  You can do it, but it’s easier to begin with the basics.  In this case, the basics are teaching your dog to listen and respond to you and what better way than while on a walk where there are all sorts of distractions.

If you have questions regarding teaching your dog to heel, please send me a note in the box to the right.  I am glad to assist you!

Housebreaking and Pee Pads

Pee pads are used a lot by breeders and provide a method of quick cleanup for puppy messes. They are extremely useful in the right circumstances. Many choose to use them when a puppy first comes home.

If, however, you want to get away from the pads and want the dog to soil outside, don’t use them as a means of convenience. You will be teaching your dog that soiling in the house is acceptable.  Typically, a dog does not like to eliminate where they sleep and eat.   If you are unknowingly encouraging that, housebreaking will be very challenging.

More than one dog trained using pads, continues to mistake a throw rug for a pad if it needs to go out and can’t immediately get there.

In the cases I’m referring to, the dog is housebroken and has developed his ability to hold it. They have to go and don’t see an obvious way to get outside. “Oh look, there’s a throw rug that looks vaguely like a pee pad, so I’ll just go right there.”

Due to restrictions, travel, or limited access to a safe place for the dog, some people choose to use pee pads exclusively. Housebreaking (potty training) would follow the same guidelines  as if you are taking the dog outside; but rather than taking the dog outside, you will take the dog to the pad. Supervision is still required and praise for using the pad.  If at all possible, place the pad in a separate area from their bed so they have to “go to the bathroom” in the desired area with the pad.

For a complete guide to Housebreaking, order my ebook with step-by-step instruction which comes with a second book on crate training.

Why Dogs Are Easter to Train Than Men

As I train their dogs, I am constantly asked by the women if I train husbands or boyfriends. They laugh as they say it, but I see the look in their eyes. The glance that holds a longing for some understanding of how to get the male in their life to respond as they would like. The look that says I’ll pay anything!

Read the rest of the article here – “Are Dogs Easier to Train Than Men?“

Fighting Pit Bulls are Victorious!

A recent post received validation –

Here’s an update on a couple of the fighting dogs removed from Michael Vick’s property . . they are now affectionately referred to as the “Vick”tory dogs!

Thanks Best Friends!

Is Your Dog “Really” Housebroken?

You would think that if a dog is “housebroken” and potties outside most of the time, there is no concern right?

If you use a dog door to teach your dog to go potty outside, there is no guarantee that when the door is closed to the outside it won’t opt to go inside if given the chance.  They don’t truly know not to go inside when the access to the outside is removed.

Dog doors are great!  They serve a wonderful purpose and allow us the freedom to leave our dogs for longer period of time.  However, it is best to completely housebreak your dog prior to introducing them to the dog door.  Or, use the dog door in the process of housebreaking but still go outside with them to assure they are going and not just outside for a breath of fresh air!

We’ve all experienced the “what are you thinking” moment when our dog has been outside unattended for two hours (so, of course they went potty – right?!) only to have them come inside and go.  Remember a puppy can be distracted by a leaf blowing and completely forget whey they are outside!

For detailed instruction on housebreaking, check out my ebook “The Truth About Housebreaking” or send me a question using the box to the right.  I’m glad to assist in any way I can.

That’s Not a Dog – It’s A Rat!

I used to pride myself in my love for bigger dogs. A dog that is – well, a dog. Pit Bulls have always had my heart along with Mastiffs, Dobermans, Rottweilers, etc. I will use this as a place to express that I admit to loving little dogs too.

I am not quite sure why we resist being attracted to a little dog. It does come across as resistance as we declare proudly (or at a minimum it appears in the conversation bubble above our heads) as someone walks by with their tiny yorkie – “That’s not a dog, it’s a rat!” (No, it’s just a little dog. Perhaps “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” applies here.)

I think I personally resisted this new-found affection because of the people I associated with having the pocket pups. Someone who didn’t truly want a dog but a show piece or an accessory.

I was labeling them as easily as I was labeled for having Pit Bulls.

When tiny dogs are treated as dogs, they are wonderful. They have the same personality and expression as the large breeds. (As a side note: experimental breeding of dogs – tiny or giant – needs to stop as the shelters fill with unwanted pups. Maybe that can be another thought for 2009.) Whether you are attracted to large or small dogs, they are all creatures capable and worthy of receiving our attention and care.

The New Year provides an opportunity to symbolically, if nothing else, make some shifts in our thinking. I think a life with less judgment would be a great place to start. (This doesn’t only apply to the four-legged creatures) Considering that all of the Beings we are blessed to have cross our paths, don’t judge us nearly as quickly as we do them.

Happy 2009 and a moment or two in the “no judgement zone” to all of you!

The Humane Society Shares Good News!

The news media isn’t known for being positive and uplifting.  I think of what it would be like to have the news tell only “good” stories or stories that didn’t appear to bring anything good, but ultimately did.   Beyond or within every disaster, we hear amazing stories of strength, hope, and the willingness to help others.

It’s a great feeling, an honor, and our duty to help someone (animal or human) who can’t help themselves.  Thank you Humane Society and all those who contribute for making 2008 so memorable!  Here’s a wonderful video of the lives that were saved and changed forever through the work of the Humane Society.

Humane Society in 2008

What Happens When the Alpha Dog is Away?

We, the human in the family who earns and deserves the role of being considered “alpha” over the pack, are second in command when the dogs are together and we’re away.

I noticed an interesting dynamic in my own pack. Zoe, the calm, assertive leader of the group was on Holiday along with her buddy, Mac.  At home, Zoe leads everyone up the hill and around the property tracking scents and following nature.

The dogs follow her but it’s not because she does anything to recruit them.  She just is.  She is worthy of being followed – no questions asked.  When she was away, the other dogs decided I was next in command and stuck close to the door or anywhere to be near me.

If you have more than one dog, pay attention to who is leading who.  It can be subtle yet you can learn a lot by observing the dynamic between them in just about everything they do.

Since I like to make comparisons to the dog thought world and ours, I can’t miss this opportunity.  Are we so different?  Aren’t their people you are naturally attracted to because of who they are.  They are calm yet assertive and we feel good being around them.

I think that is Zoe’s affect on this group.  She leads, they follow and everyone feels better just knowing she’s there.  I don’t feel left out, because she feels better just knowing I’m there!