Cumming, Georgia – Now that families are getting ready for the new school year, Bruce Edwards, Master Dog Trainer and owner of Home Dog Training, would like to suggest helpful tips to assist families to avoid behavior problems with their dogs. Understanding how to provide the right mixture of training, food, shelter, and entertainment, families can help their dogs adapt to the new household schedule.
“Going back-to-school can create stress on the entire family, including the family dog,” said Edwards. “Dogs are creatures of habit, and so any immediate change in routine can hugely affect them. But, with a little understanding and preparation ahead of time, families can minimize many of the back-to-school behavior problems from their dogs.”
Boredom
Even though most dogs sleep a lot during the day, when they wake up, they are ready to engage and play. “Provide toys and activities that can keep your dog stimulated and engaged, even when you’re not at home,” Edwards remarked.
- Scatter food Dogs are natural foragers who like searching for food on the floor. Before you leave the house, scatter a variety of foods -such as bits of raw vegetables and your dog’s kibble around the house. You can also hide some really yummy treats too. This will stimulate your dog to search for the food and not notice you are not there.
- Toys Dogs love toys, but the wrong toys that they can easily destroy can lead to bad behavior and can even be dangerous. We highly suggest the the KONG™ toys. Every week or so, rotate what toys are available to your dog to give him something new and fun to hold his interest.
- Start early Get your dog used to being alone several weeks before the kids head off to school. Start by separating him from the kids and the rest of the family.
- Pay less attention to your dog Your dog is often fully engaged with the family when the kids are home all day. You need to change this scenario before they return to school so that he can get used to more quiet, alone time. About a week before school starts, start giving less and less attention to your dog.
- Practice leaving the house “Practice leaving the house,” said Edwards. “Get your keys and go out the door, but then come right back in again. This will break the association your dog has with specific activities and long periods of being alone.” This will help him to be more relaxed when you actually leave.
- When you leave When the last person leaves the house for work or school, don’t say, in a high voice, “Don’t worry, mommy and daddy be home soon. Be a good boy.” The high tone and direct focus on him can make him feel anxious and create a possible sense of fear. Ignore your dog for about 10 minutes before you leave.
- Crate The crate is really a great place that most dogs really need. Because all our dogs were once wolves who lived in the wild and had caves for protection, a crate is a natural shelter because it has the same characteristics of a den. If you have not already crate trained your dog, start several weeks before the first day of your kid’s school. When your dog has become happy with his new crate, do not keep him in there for long periods of time. If you plan to be gone for extended periods of time, ask a friend or hire a pet sitter to come by to let your dog out to toilet during that time.
- Laundry room If your dog will be inside all day and you are worried about him pottying in the house, use a baby gate to keep him in a small room (which decreases the tendency to potty) and has an easy-to-clean floor (in case he has an accident). Place a soft bed and toys in the room for him too.
- Doghouse If you are going to keep your dog outside while you are away, be sure he has shelter in which to get out of any bad weather or extreme elements. “Dogs are more relaxed when they are covered and in familiar surroundings,” said Edwards. Put the doghouse next to your house so your dog feels his house is an extension of the larger “den.” Make sure he has some toys, familiar bedding, and plenty of water.
- Train the kids You need to tell your kids not to go right to your dog’s area as soon as they get home. They should do something else and don’t pay attention to him for several minutes to allow him to settle down. If you have young children, you must always have a parent there to minimize the chance of a problem. Once your dog learns the routine, he will relax.
- Train your dog It is amazing how quickly dogs learn the difference of right and wrong. Dogs have their own form of communication, and once we understand it, we can easily control them so they will naturally understand what they need to do. Home Dog Training specializes in using dogs’ natural, instinctive communication methods to train them. It’s simple, and it works.
Separation Anxiety
It is often likely that your dog will become overly stressed when everyone is gone from the house all day. Endless, neighbor-hating barking and destruction of all your good stuff are natural products of this stress. Separation anxiety is a behavior that can take a long time to correct, but is can almost always be solved. If you get complaints from your neighbors about barking or come home to a destroyed house, your dog has separation anxiety. It is best that you contact a professional trainer to help you resolve this issue. Doing the wrong thing, without professional advise, can make the situation even worse.
Shelter
Dogs require their own “home,” a place where they constantly feel secure and comfortable. If your dog doesn’t already have a place of his own, make one for him.
Cumming, Georgia – Now that families are getting ready for the new school year, Bruce Edwards, Master Dog Trainer and owner of Home Dog Training, would like to suggest helpful tips to assist families to avoid behavior problems with their dogs. Understanding how to provide the right mixture of training, food, shelter, and entertainment, families can help their dogs adapt to the new household schedule.
“Going back-to-school can create stress on the entire family, including the family dog,” said Edwards. “Dogs are creatures of habit, and so any immediate change in routine can hugely affect them. But, with a little understanding and preparation ahead of time, families can minimize many of the back-to-school behavior problems from their dogs.”
Boredom
Even though most dogs sleep a lot during the day, when they wake up, they are ready to engage and play. “Provide toys and activities that can keep your dog stimulated and engaged, even when you’re not at home,” Edwards remarked.
- Scatter food Dogs are natural foragers who like searching for food on the floor. Before you leave the house, scatter a variety of foods -such as bits of raw vegetables and your dog’s kibble around the house. You can also hide some really yummy treats too. This will stimulate your dog to search for the food and not notice you are not there.
- Toys Dogs love toys, but the wrong toys that they can easily destroy can lead to bad behavior and can even be dangerous. We highly suggest the the KONG™ toys. Every week or so, rotate what toys are available to your dog to give him something new and fun to hold his interest.
- Start early Get your dog used to being alone several weeks before the kids head off to school. Start by separating him from the kids and the rest of the family.
- Pay less attention to your dog Your dog is often fully engaged with the family when the kids are home all day. You need to change this scenario before they return to school so that he can get used to more quiet, alone time. About a week before school starts, start giving less and less attention to your dog.
- Practice leaving the house “Practice leaving the house,” said Edwards. “Get your keys and go out the door, but then come right back in again. This will break the association your dog has with specific activities and long periods of being alone.” This will help him to be more relaxed when you actually leave.
- When you leave When the last person leaves the house for work or school, don’t say, in a high voice, “Don’t worry, mommy and daddy be home soon. Be a good boy.” The high tone and direct focus on him can make him feel anxious and create a possible sense of fear. Ignore your dog for about 10 minutes before you leave.
- Crate The crate is really a great place that most dogs really need. Because all our dogs were once wolves who lived in the wild and had caves for protection, a crate is a natural shelter because it has the same characteristics of a den. If you have not already crate trained your dog, start several weeks before the first day of your kid’s school. When your dog has become happy with his new crate, do not keep him in there for long periods of time. If you plan to be gone for extended periods of time, ask a friend or hire a pet sitter to come by to let your dog out to toilet during that time.
- Laundry room If your dog will be inside all day and you are worried about him pottying in the house, use a baby gate to keep him in a small room (which decreases the tendency to potty) and has an easy-to-clean floor (in case he has an accident). Place a soft bed and toys in the room for him too.
- Doghouse If you are going to keep your dog outside while you are away, be sure he has shelter in which to get out of any bad weather or extreme elements. “Dogs are more relaxed when they are covered and in familiar surroundings,” said Edwards. Put the doghouse next to your house so your dog feels his house is an extension of the larger “den.” Make sure he has some toys, familiar bedding, and plenty of water.
- Train the kids You need to tell your kids not to go right to your dog’s area as soon as they get home. They should do something else and don’t pay attention to him for several minutes to allow him to settle down. If you have young children, you must always have a parent there to minimize the chance of a problem. Once your dog learns the routine, he will relax.
- Train your dog It is amazing how quickly dogs learn the difference of right and wrong. Dogs have their own form of communication, and once we understand it, we can easily control them so they will naturally understand what they need to do. Home Dog Training specializes in using dogs’ natural, instinctive communication methods to train them. It’s simple, and it works.
Separation Anxiety
It is often likely that your dog will become overly stressed when everyone is gone from the house all day. Endless, neighbor-hating barking and destruction of all your good stuff are natural products of this stress. Separation anxiety is a behavior that can take a long time to correct, but is can almost always be solved. If you get complaints from your neighbors about barking or come home to a destroyed house, your dog has separation anxiety. It is best that you contact a professional trainer to help you resolve this issue. Doing the wrong thing, without professional advise, can make the situation even worse.
Shelter
Dogs require their own “home,” a place where they constantly feel secure and comfortable. If your dog doesn’t already have a place of his own, make one for him.
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