Help! My Neighbor Complains About My Barking Dog

September 20, 2017 by Fanna Easter

How to React When a Neighbor Complains

Neighbor Complains About My Barking Dog — mfotohaus/Adobe Stock

As you arrive home from work, you notice a note taped to your front door. It’s from your neighbors, and they’re complaining about your dog barking constantly while you’re away at work. What should you do?

Don’t Ignore the Situation

Many pet owners simply ignore neighbors’ complaints; they assume the complaint is not true. But is it? Neighbors don’t complain just to complain—unless they feel ignored. Regardless of your past feuds, it’s important to take your neighbor’s complaint seriously. Call, email or leave a note on your neighbor’s front door, and acknowledge his complaint politely. Apologize profusely, and let him know you’re putting a plan into action immediately.

How Bad is Your Dog’s Barking?

Pet owners are usually very aware that their dogs bark when they’re not home, but how bad is it? It’s important to know if your dog is bored or suffering from separation anxiety. Set up an old smartphone or tablet in your home, and Skype yourself from your current phone. Or purchase an interactive dog camera system to check in on your dog throughout the day. Many camera systems will automatically alert pet owners when their dogs start barking.

If possible, record some of this footage for future reference with a professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. Knowing what’s going on while you’re away will help you address your dog’s barking problem and neighbor’s complaint quickly.

Change Your Dog’s Behavior

Incessant dog barking behavior will not resolve on its own, so it’s important to take time to change your dog’s behavior. One way to change your dog’s behavior is to keep her indoors when you’re unable to keep an eye on her. Never leave a dog alone outdoors. Depending on what you find during your daily video sessions, it’ll be better to start changing your dog’s behavior sooner than later.

For dogs with separation anxiety, partnering with a professional dog trainer is the only way to successfully manage this issue. For bored dogs, hire a pet sitter to walk your dog while you’re at work. While this may seem like an unneeded expense, a pet sitter’s fee of $20 per day is much cheaper than animal control fines and lawsuits. Check out additional tips on keeping a bored dog quiet while you’re away.

Electronic Collars Don’t Work

Unfortunately, an electronic collar or anti-dog barking device is the first item that pet owners purchase when neighbors complain about their barking dogs. After polling hundreds of pet owners, many claim their dogs continued to bark or became aggressive after using an electronic collar. Many dogs are so frightened by the pain, they hide under furniture, urinate or defecate.

There are so many other options that work quickly and won’t cause your dog pain. For example, a Manner’s Minder or Pet Tutor will keep your dog busy throughout the day and prevent barking behavior. These items cost the same or less than an electronic collar, and work much better. If your dog still barks, hire a positive reinforcement dog trainer for best results.

Never ignore a complaint, and start changing your dog’s behavior today.

Does Your Dog Pull On Leash? Ditch The Leash

August 31, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Dog Training Tips for Strong Pulling Dogs

Stop Dog Pulling on Leash — Marcella Miriello/Adobe Stock

When dogs pull on leash like freight trains, it’s frustrating, exhausting and downright dangerous. It feels like your shoulder is dislocated during and after each walk, and your back muscles scream for mercy. Pulling strongly on leash is painful for dogs too, especially if they’re wearing a collar. While it may not seem painful to your dog, it’s important to note that his neck hurts just as bad as your shoulder. Over time, strong pulling dogs develop permanent shoulder and neck issues and so do their pet owners.

As pet owners, it’s our job to teach our dogs that hanging out with us is more fun than pulling on leash. While it may seem impossible, it’s actually very easy to teach.

If It Hurts, Why Does My Dog Pull on Leash?

Dogs pull on leash because they don’t know what to do instead of pulling. Dogs get excited, so they pull forward and their pet owners follow. This starts a vicious leash pulling cycle, which isn’t safe for anyone. If your dog pulls on leash, it’s important to teach your dog polite leash manners.

Ditch Your Leash

Until your strong pulling dog learns that staying next to you is rewarding, ditch your leash. Strong pulling dogs get really excited when leashes appear, and they immediately pull once the leash is attached. Plus, it’s difficult to manage your pulling dog, provide treats and reward good behavior at the same time. Since you’re ditching the leash, make sure to only practice this behavior in your home first.

Hanging Out With Me is Fun

Grab super yummy treats, such as cheese sticks, and practice in a low distraction area of your home. Practice while children are napping and other dogs are happily licking food stuffed Kongs in another room. Remember, you don’t need a leash for this exercise.

Holding treats in your hand, take one step forward and wait for your dog to return to you. Don’t worry, your dog will likely hang out with you because treats are present. This sets you both up for success.
When your dog chooses to walk back to you, say “yes” the moment he walks next to your shoes and give him a treat. When handing him an earned treat, drop the treat next to your shoes.
Take another step and wait for your dog to stand next to you. If your dog hangs out with you, while you’re taking a step, immediately say “yes” and drop a treat at your feet.
Take a step backwards, and reward when he returns or stays with you.
Continue one step at a time.
Keep dog training sessions short about 1-2 minutes long.

Take More Steps

Once your dog will remain with or return to you 90% of the time, it’s time to take three steps forward. Continue adding one step at a time, and walk around your home. If your dog chooses to hang out with you, while you’re walking around your home, say “yes” and reward often. Practice daily and keep training sessions short.

Time to Add a Leash

Once your strong pulling dog learns that hanging out with you is rewarding, it’s time to add a leash. Some dogs may regress a bit, because their leash is super exciting, so start with one step at a time. Check out this article and video for teaching your dog polite leash manners while wearing a leash. Usually, most strong pulling dogs zoom through this process because they’ve already learned that hanging out with their pet owners makes treats rain from the sky!

Reward this behavior often, and it will stick around!

WATCH: Dog Training Tips for Strong Pulling Dogs

Help! My Dog Is Afraid Of Walking Through Doorways

August 30, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Dog Training Tips for Dogs Afraid of Doorways

Dog Afraid of Thresholds — javier brosch/Adobe Stock

When approaching narrow spaces, some dogs will suddenly stop and refuse to walk forward while others will run through doorways quickly with their tails tucked and ears pinned back. Either way, both types of dogs are afraid to walk through doorways and it’s essential to positively change their behavior to increase their quality of life.

What Causes This Fear?

As humans, we assume hundreds of reasons why dogs behave a certain way, which is unfair to dogs. Let’s remove our anthropomorphic tendencies and try to understand the cause behind a dog’s fear of walking through thresholds.

Fearfulness is the main cause of your dog’s behavior. We can assume hallway echoes, loud noises, loudly slamming doors and many other reasons are the cause, but fearfulness is the real cause. When dogs are fearful, they may overreact to many things. When fearful dogs are exposed to scary doorways or entrance ways several times, they may develop anxiety. If a dog is punished when he’s scared of a scary situation, his anxiety deepens.

How to Teach Dogs to Love Walking Through Doorways

Regardless of why your dog became afraid of walking through doorways, it’s imperative to teach him to love walking through them. Grab super yummy treats, such as cheese cubes, deli lunch meat or hot dogs, and chop into pea-sized bites. Treats are a dog’s paycheck, so use the yummiest treats possible.

Start teaching your dog this behavior inside your home, using hall and doorways. Even though your dog may not be fearful of walking through indoor entrances, it’s a safe place to start changing your dog’s behavior.

Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose, and lure him through the doorway. If your dog is too scared, click and treat your dog when he walks close to a doorway. Slowly shape this behavior until your dog will walk through the entrance.

Once your dog is comfortable walking through indoor entrances, leash your dog and practice outside. Walk out the back door and click as your dog walks through. Even if he slinks through the doorway, he’s being brave and choosing to walk through the doorway.

Pairing good things (yummy food) with scary things (entrances) will positively change your dog’s behavior. Think about it this way: If it rains $100 bills while you’re walking through a haunted house, you will learn that haunted houses are not scary. 🙂

What Doesn’t Work

Never force a dog through a doorway; your dog is scared. Back away from the door, regroup by grabbing treats and lure your dog inside. Ideally, you should practice this behavior before he has to walk through scary doorways, such as the vet clinic.

Take 1-2 minutes each day, and make doorways and entrances fun to walk through!

WATCH: Tips For Dogs Afraid To Walk Through Doorways

How To Greet A Dog For The First Time

August 25, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Politely Greeting a Dog

Greet a Dog — innervisionpro/Adobe Stock

As a dog lover, it’s hard to resist a furry face. The moment I see a dog or puppy, I suddenly stop in my tracks and grin from ear to ear. As I adore the dog from afar, I fight the urge to run up and pet the darling. Yes, my dog trainer self steps in and immediately reminds my dog lover side that not all dogs like to greet people and other dogs. So, I smile and walk away. It’s the best thing for the dog.

Within the dog world, polite greetings have recently changed. Instead of approaching a dog, and holding out your closed fist for a sniff, there’s a safer way to greet a dog for the first time. Not only is this greeting safer for people, but it’s also much safer for and more respectful to dogs.

What’s the Big Deal About Petting Dogs?

Many dogs strongly dislike greeting strangers; it’s just their personality. When people greet dogs, they walk straight over and start petting them. While some dogs love greetings, many dogs find greetings uncomfortable due to unwanted physical contact.

Many fearful dogs try backing away, but their leash prevents them from moving, so dogs learn to bite to stop greetings. Think about it this way: Would you be comfortable having complete strangers walk over and pat your head? That’s exactly how some dogs feel, so respect their personal space.

When Greeting a Dog for the First Time

When you see a darling dog, stand still and don’t make eye contact with the dog. Look over at the pet owner and ask if you can pet her dog. Pet owners who listen to their dog’s choices will promptly let admirers know their dog is not comfortable with greetings.

The pet owner may say “My dog is not friendly” or “He will jump on you.” If that’s the case, respect the pet owner’s decision to not allow greetings. Trying to convince a pet owner that you’re a dog wizard will only make the situation awkward. Just say, “Your dog is gorgeous, and I admire you for standing by your dog’s choices.”

Let the Dog Choose to Greet

If a pet owner agrees to let her dog meet you, it’s important to ask the dog first. Let the dog make the first move while you stand still. If a dog moves toward you, let the dog walk toward you and sniff your legs and shoes. Don’t bend over and pet the dog; instead bend down and let the dog greet you first.

When petting a dog, rub his chest slowly and ask the pet owner if you can give her dog a treat. Slowly stand back up, while chatting with the pet owner, and let the dog continue to sniff you.

If the dog chooses to ignore or walk away from you, respect the dog’s decision. Just say, “It’s okay, I can adore you from over here.” Forcing close physical contact will only frighten the dog even more, and he will learn humans are unpredictable. Just stand still and make light of the situation, and know you taught a fearful dog that people can be trusted. 🙂

As dog lovers, it’s so important to make good impressions, especially to all dogs.

How And When To Use A Long Dog Leash

August 23, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Walking Your Dog on a Long Leash

Most pet owners feel short dog leashes are restrictive, so they dream of walking their dogs off leash. While this thought process is understandable, it’s not a safe option. Leashes are used as safety lines because they prevent dogs from running away, accidentally walking into roadways, and running up to strange dogs and people. There’s a reason states are issuing mandatory leash laws and that’s because leashes save dogs’ lives. The solution? Use a long dog leash.

Walking a dog on a long leash will provide your dog a sense of freedom, yet keep him safely contained. Before teaching your dog to walk on a long leash, you should first understand how and when to use a long dog leash. Plus, you’ll need to teach your dog a certain skill set before wandering around.

Choosing a Long Dog Leash

Safe long leashes are between 8- to 15-feet long and are made of nylon. These leashes look like super long leashes with a soft hand loop on one end and a sturdy clip on the other end. Retractable leashes are not considered safe long leashes. They’re not user-friendly due to the fickle “stop” button and the weak leash attachments inside the handle. Safe long leashes are sold in most pet retailers and online.

Use Only With a Body Harness

To keep your dog safe, only attach a long leash to your dog’s body harness. Long leashes attached to collars are extremely harmful and can cause permanent damage to a dog’s neck. Attach a long leash to your dog’s harness back clip and not the front one (i.e. located on your dog’s chest) to prevent sudden injury.

Use a Long Line Once a Dog Has Learned Polite Behaviors

Long leashes provide dogs more freedom, but dogs must have a certain skill set before walking 15 feet ahead of pet owners. Once your dog will walk politely (won’t pull) on leash 90% of the time, then it’s time to practice these behaviors using a long line.

Your dog should also respond 90% of the time to the cues below to ensure you and your dog are safe during walks with a long leash.

As an example, dogs walking on a longer leash are able to chase small vermin or gobble up discarded food before pet owners are able to see it. If you’re not sure if your dog will respond to these cues, it’s best to use a 6-foot nylon leash instead of a long line.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Think of holding a long leash like a fishing pole; pet owners must constantly adjust the line tension, depending on their dog’s location. [/perfectpullquote]

Start With a Shorter Leash First

Walking a dog on a long leash can be challenging for the pet owner because certain handling skills are needed. Before loading up your dog and going for a walk in the woods using a 15-foot leash, practice reeling in a long leash. Think of holding a long leash like a fishing pole; pet owners must constantly adjust the line tension, depending on their dog’s location. Start slow, let out 8 feet of leash at first, and then slowly increase 1-2 feet of leash based on your environment.

Long leashes should not touch the ground during walks. Keeping it above ground prevents the leash from tangling around a dog’s legs and trees. When your dog walks closer to you, gather up the extra leash in your hands. This may seem cumbersome, but with lots of practice, it becomes an automatic response as a dog moves back and forth.

WATCH: How and When to Use a Long Dog Leash

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