Going through customs can be an easy or very difficult process. Recently a trainer that I work with was going into the US with two thirteen week old Belgian Malinois puppies to show them to a trainer there that trains dogs for a local police department. The trainer I work with not only trains police dogs but also breeds them. This could have been a great opportunity to grow the reach of the business, and help with some future development plans. Unfortunately things at the border got difficult and the trip never happened. 

These two little babes were very well behaved the entire trip, they didn’t make a fuss and they were patient between rest stops. At thirteen weeks old their training has already been in progress for a solid 5 weeks. To be good police dogs the training starts young. At a young age a positive training routine will imprint the behaviours the dog needs to carry throughout its development and into its career as a police dog. 

Part of the training is to get use to being in crates and in cars for extended periods of time, to facilitate this the trainer takes the pups with her everywhere. Because of this at the age these pups are they are very content hanging out in their crates and don’t make much fuss if any at all. They are working dogs and as such they like to have a job, a job gives them purpose and makes them happy.

What is a Belgian Malinois?

Belgian Malinois are of the top choice for police dogs. They are intelligent, fearless, loyal and a high level, high performance working dog. As pups they are a complete pain in the butt. They get into everything, they want to know what everything is, and they chew… everything. They are busy, bossy, and assertive. If you don’t have experience with dogs or other working breeds, a Belgian Malinois may be too much for you to handle. 

These two are litter mates, one of the other females from the litter is being kept as a breeding female. I met her a few weeks before the the US trip. She is something else, we were out in the kennel, she came out with her other litter mates and totally took control, she is a strong alfa type female. She ran over to the trainer and got a hold of her sleeve, as soon as she got a grip she held on and didn’t let it go. The pup was hanging from her sleeve for several minutes, the trainer was walking around and doing things with the other dogs and the pup was still holding on. This natural bite will be leveraged later when she starts to do her bite work. 

Police dogs are chosen early on, not all the dogs in a litter will be chosen for the police program. The ones that don’t make the cut will be sold and trained as competition dogs. 

As mentioned if you have never had a Belgian Malinois before, they may be a handful for you to have in your home. They are a working breed and not well suited as a regular family dog, this dog thrives off of having a job, not doing this can cause the dog to develop very destructive behaviour. 

The American Kennel Club recognizes this breed for its hardworking nature. They are part of the German Shepard family. In the show and competition rings judges sometimes are harder on the Belgian Malinois because the expectation for performance from this breed is so high. Again making it the perfect animal for a police dog. 

To properly care for an Belgian Malinois you will want to make sure it is on a diet that is suited for a high performance machine. Many breeders and trainers prefer to use a raw diet for this dog. Raw is a choice not all people are willing to do, it is a commitment, and no it is not more expensive then kibble. There are many suppliers out there that offer very competitive rates for their products, you don’t have to get it from a pet store. Freezer dried raw is another option for many people considering an alternative to kibble.

A Belgian Malinois is a companion dog. It likes to do work with its handler to complete tasks and solve problems. If you are interested in an animal that will thrive in Schutzhund (protection) competitions this is your dog. If you are someone who plans on leaving your dog out in the yard and walking it once in a while, you would be cautioned to consider looking at another breed. The companionship and loyalty this dog has makes for a strong bond between them and their handler, yet another trait that makes this breed the perfect police dog.

Training is key, so every part of these pups life is part of a training program that will develop them into well rounded adult dogs. 

Process of bringing a dog over 

Things are forever changing in the world, and as such so are the rules and regulations for what can and can not be brought over the border. 

In the case of our trip into the US we faced many issues with the fact that we were carrying thirteen week old puppies in the truck. We had all the vet paperwork showing they had their updated shots. But according to new regulations that wasn’t enough.

Lately due to the increase of rescue animals coming over the border from over seas the CDC has decided that this has caused a heightened risk for the US. Many of these dogs were coming over without proper vet checks and screening, some of them carried deadly viruses that killed them shortly after arriving. When you think about it, its sad, further it is careless, I can understand why the CDC will want to crack down.

The new regulations require that all dogs coming into the US have their up to date shots including their rabies shots. Further there must be 30 days in between the day of the rabies shots and the day the dog is to go over the border. There is CDC exceptions to this but you must apply for it ahead of time, and the dog is to be in your possession and within a confined area like a house or an appartment until they are able to have their rabies shots and the 30 day incubation period has passed.

So for us, a day trip with puppies would not be possible in any way. 

What about bringing a dog in from another country to Canada? Similar rules will also apply. The puppy is required to have all updated shots including their rabies, the difference however is that the puppy can come into Canada the same day it gets the rabies vaccinations. There is no 30 day waiting period. 

We learned all about this the hard way…

After the decline..

We didn’t want to make it a loss of a day so we took the opportunity to take the pups to an outdoor mall in Niagara falls that is dog friendly. We used the opportunity to socialize the pups, they met dozens of people, some of them happy to come say hi and others afraid of dogs. This was a very good variety for them. 

The pups now will stay in Canada and continue their training program. There is still lots to accomplish, and it still is not guaranteed that they will be successful in the police training program. Only time will tell. 

If you are planning on buying or transporting any animal over a border always follow up with current policies and procedure to avoid the unfortunate incident that we encountered. 

When deciding to get a dog there are a number of reasons why you may have made that decision. Going into all the examples could be a post all on its own. I want to focus on those who get a dog with intentions on getting them in to sport and competitions. 

When I got Bourbon I had always wanted a dog I could do competition with. Not all dogs are made for competition, some grow up to be people or dog aggressive, and some don’t have the drive and the enthusiasm for training and sport. A lot of the behaviours can be corrected and trained yes. It is always better to know what kinds of behaviours you are working with before you start your training schedule. Always start with a strong foundation. Training is much more fun and exciting when you and your dog develop and work together to sharpen skills and prepare for competition when you are prepared for the work load and ready to get serious.

Begleithund (BH)

If you are thinking of getting your dog its BH there are a few things to know. First this is not a closed trial, all dogs are welcome.There is no breed or size restriction but in order for the dog to participate in the BH test the dog needs to be at least 15 months old. There is 3 components to getting your BH one of them is a practical test on theory that is completed before you do the other 2 components in front of a judge. 

Temperment test 

Your dogs temperament is under watch throughout the entire process. Your dog could pass the initial temperament assessment made before the trials begin, but that doesn’t mean a judge could stop your dog from continuing through the following phases of the trials. 

Many breeds that take part in the BH testing are capable of being a danger to other dogs and people. It is the responsibility of the handler and the judge to make sure that any dog participating in the trials are behaviourally sound and the temperament under control. 

Failure to have full control of your dog or any traces of temperament issues will result in disqualification and a comment in the score book in regards to the temperament/behavioural test failure. 

Evaluation Process 

During the first part of the evaluation (part A) you must achieve a 70% before you are able to continue on to the next portion of the evaluation called the traffic test. The judge does not give you the results of the points earned but rather a pass or fail. In order to complete the trial a total score of a minimum of 70% of the points available must be earned in both portions A and B of the trial. If you are not successful you are able to try again at a later date. 

Portion ‘A’ 

During this exercise there is a start and end point. At the starting point of the dog is to be at the left side of the handler in a heel position with its shoulder at the handlers knee. During the trial handler help to direct the dog is not permitted, any direction given by the handler will result in loss of points. Using toys treats and other aids to assist in the process is also not permitted during the trial. The only voice command given by the judge will be direction to begin each exercise,the change of pace, turns and stops required within the trial are done without command of the judge. It is however ok for the handler to make request for the judge to give the verbal directions.

Praise is ok, but only after the trail is complete. Between exercises it is expected that the dog remains at a heel to the handler. A three second pause is expected between the praise and the start of the next exercise.

The Exersice

During the exercise the dog is to be wearing an animal rights approved collar or harness. During the first exercise of portion ‘A’ the dog will be on leash, the leash is not to be on the live loop of the collar. your dog is expected to be in compete obedience and follow the handler with out having to give correction or extra command. 

At the beginning of the exercise the handler may give the command heel, and then proceed 40-50 paces forward in a heel before performing a round about. On the return the dog and handler will preform 10-15 paces and then show the judge fast and slow paces of about 10 paces each. During the exercise the handler may only give the command of heel at the beginning of the exercise and at the beginning of the change of pace. 

It is expected that throughout the exercise that the dog stays at a heel with its shoulder at the handlers knee. Whenever the dog stops the dog is expected to sit quickly without command or adjustment from the handler. The handler at this time is not permitted to fix any incorrect positioning. Positioning will be scored by the judge and further attempt to correct positioning by the handler will result in loss of points. 

At the judges command the handler and the dog will be directed to walk through a group of people. The group will consist of a minimum of four people, their movements may be random and inconsistent, the dogs and handlers reaction to this will be scored by the judge. I have been told that if at any time the temperament of the dog comes into question by the judge they will not permit the dog and handler to continue to the last portion of the exercise of going through the group of people. 

During the group portion of the exercise the dog will be guided by the handler in a figure 8 type pattern, heeling beside one of the persons at each turn of the figure 8. at the completion of the group portion praise is permitted but only after the dog and handler are away form the group.

*for those of you wondering why the praise has to be done away form the group…. during training and competition you are building drive with your dog in order to have them perform better during the trails. Putting a dog in drive in a group of people can increase the level of stress a dog may feel, praising a dog in the middle of all of this will only increase the drive. In close quarters with strangers that drive may become unpredictable and someone can get hurt*

On and Off Leash 

Once the dog has completed the on leash portion of the exercise, only at the command of the judge will the handler remove the leash. Hanging the leash over the left shoulder or in the pocket, the dog will complete the group exercise again, stoping at a heal at least once during the process. At the end the handler and the dog exit the group and the pair goes to the starting point and stops at a heel waiting for the judge to give the command to continue. 

On the judges command the handler will give the command heel to the dog and both dog and handler will complete the exercise exactly as it was competed on leash at the beginning of the trail. 

Both parts of this exercise are worth 15 points each. 

Sit and Motion Exercise

Completion of the first portion leads into this next exercise. During this exercise the dog will be off leash. ‘Heel’ the dog and handler take 10-15 paces forward. when the handler comes to a stop it is expected that the dog sit quickly with the dogs shoulder at the knee and the focus on you. The handler can give the command sit, and then take 30 paces forward without the dog, and without turning back to look at the dog. After 30 paces the handler will stop and turn to the dog, on the judges direction the handler will return to the dog and step beside the dog in order to be back in position. The dog is not to stand up or lay down at all during this process, if the dog does, there will be a deduction of 5 points.

Successfull completion of this exercise could earn you a maximum of 10 points. 

Down and Recall 

To do this the handler gives the command heel and takes 10 passes forward. The command of down is then given by the handler, the dog is expected to go down without further assistance from the handler. Without assistance from the handler and without turning around the handler walks another 30 paces, stops and then turns to face the dog.

On the judges command the handler will recall the dog. the dog is expected to come to the handler quickly and with excitement. when the dog reaches the handler the dog is expected to sit straight infront of the handler. At that time the handler may give the command heel, and the dog returns back into the heel position. 

If the dog stands or sits when the handler walks away form the dog or anytime after but the recall is perfect, 5 points will be deducted. A total of 10 points can be awarded for completion of this portion. 

Down Stay Under Distraction

This position is kept while another dog is doing the exercises. Your dog is placed in a down stay at a location designated by the judges. the handles is to take 30 paces away from the dog and with their back to the dog stay in position until a judge gives the command for the handler to return to their dog, getting in position with the dog on the left side. 

The dog is expected to sit calmly while the other dog is completing the exercise, if the dog fidgets gets up or sits only partial points will be awarded, if the dog moves more then its only body length away form the down position the exercise is failed. 

At the completion of all exercises, the dog and handler much achieve 70% or a minimum of 42 points in order to continue. failure to do so will result in the dismissal from further participation in the trial.

Portion ‘B’ – Traffic Test

During this portion of the trial there is a number of different variations that may take place. There are no points awarded for this portion of the trials but the judge will be watching the dogs every move and reaction the a number of distractions. 

During this exercise the dog will be exposed to cyclists, cars, pedestrians, and a number of other distractions that can put your dog ion a position of stress where they may break away from the handler. This will result in a negative outcome. 

There is no hard fast layout for this portion of the exercise. The judge will decide a location and circumstance that will best assist the needs of the exercise but also facilitate a safe environment to do so. 

Once you have successfully completed these exercises you are able to continue onto getting further IPO titles. As mentioned, if you are not successful in your first attempt at your BH you are able to make another attempt at it. 

The above is a list of the different trails you are able to take part in with your dog. IPO training is tough for both dog and handler but it is a great bonding experience. Many of the dogs that participate in these trails are those of the gardian breeds such as German Sheppards, Mastiffs, Rotweilers, Dobermines, Bully variations and many more. 

As an owner who has a Cane Corso who went through a very bad teenage stage, I am a firm supporter in IPO training and the importance of a strong obedience foundation for your dog. 

Bourbon will be entering the BH portion of the IPO trials this summer. It is the first of many of a career in competition. 

If you have never heard of this before you should check it out…

Tags for hope is a great charitable company where you can create adorable dog tags and cards that look just like a license for your furry friends. Proceeds from the sales go towards helping dogs and cats in need…

You can import your custom picture, and details of your pet, and depending on the province you choose, the profile will match the exact layout to a real drivers license. You can buy just the tags, or purchase the tag with a card.

They are really durable, I was very pleased when I got mine. It is hard ordering thing online that you don’t get to touch and inspect before you buy. A few people I work with told me about it and they were really happy with what they got for their dogs so I was more than happy to give it a try myself.

The tags are waterproof, mud proof, freeze proof, and if you have dogs that like to play rough, the tags are built to withstand that as well. Kind of awesome for me, I have two big mastiffs.

There are two size options available, you can get a smaller one that is better suited for small dogs and cats, or the larger one that is perfect for your larger breed dogs.

When you purchase a tag and card you are providing food shelter and treatment for an animal in need. This is such a great little token of appreciation for the support you are giving to less fortunate animals.

I ordered a card and tag for both Bourbon and Couture, they only took a few weeks to come in and they were exactly what I thought they would be. Great quality and super cute little keep sake.
The cards are made to be the same size of a regular driver license, and just like the tags, they resemble the layout of the lisence of whatever province you choose

So what’s the cost?

The tags are $23 each, and as you can see from the image above their is lots of space to customize your tags any way you would like. If you decide to add the card to your order you can do that for $12 and the card will resemble the tag, you can make some changes to the card if you would like, but I just ordered mine to be identical.

It’s a great program and the cost is very reasonable. If you are interested in taking part in this great program or learning more, I would head over to the Tag for Hope website and put in your order.

If you decide to get your own tags let me know, I would love to see what you did for your pups 🙂

There are lots of debates on what the smartest dog breeds are. Some owners may think they have the smartest, or in some cases the dumbest dog… AKC has put together a list of the smartest dog breeds. Some may come to you as a suprise, other I’m sure you have heard of before.

1. Border Collie
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Doberman Pinscher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever
8. Papillon
9. Bloodhound
10. Rottweiler

Lets take a look at each one of these breeds more closely starting with the Border Collie.

1. Border Collie

These dogs are very popular in the agility ring. They are extremely intelligent and every easy to train. They are the workaholics in the dog world, and are eager to please. This breed loves to be challenged and have a job. In a family setting, Border Collies are good with children but are better with older children.

This dog does require regular exercise, and stimulation of mental and physical activities. Border Collies are a seasonal shedder so it is recommended to groom weekly to help keep them maintained.

They are not a large breed, females range from 27-42lbs and males 30-45lbs. They also have a healthy life expectancy of 10-17 years.

2. Poodle

Having Poodles myself it is no surprise that they make this list. Poodles are another active been, they love to play and keep busy. They love and are enthusiastic to participate in runs, walks and swimming adventures. Poodles are great with other dogs when introduced properly. They are also a good family dog.

The Poodle although hypoallergenic sheds minimally, but needs to be groomed daily to avoid mats and knots in their hair. There are many different ways you can cut and keep the poodles hair, this is all to personal preference. Poodles come in three different height and weight categories making them very suitable for many different families needs. They also have a longer life expectancy of 10-18 years.

3. German Shepherd

In the AKC the German Shepherd is one of the most popular and recognized breeds. They are known to be confident, courageous and smart. It’s no wonder for those reason that they are a popular choice for police and support dogs for the public. The German Shepherd is a working dog, they need regular mental and physical exercise. They love to have a job and to be included in things around the house and in the work place.

The Shepherd has a short coat and does shed. It is recommended that they get a weekly brunch and also used a sticky brunch to help collect some of that loose hair. It is also very important they have a good diet from puppy hood al;l the way to adult hood to avoid any developmental issues and other health issues down the road. Mentally and emotionally this breed is very stable, they do not however like to be left alone for long lengths of time. Proper and training and socialization at a young age is recommended.

4. Golden Retriever

This is a devoted, intelligent, and very friendly breed. The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular family dogs. They are great with children of all ages, they also get along with other pets in the home. Golden’s are very energetic so daily exercise is required to keep them happy and out of trouble. They are a seasonal shedder, regular grooming is required to keep the hair loss under better control.

Golden Retrievers are a large breed with females weighing 55-65 lbs, and males 65-75lbs. There are records of Goldens reaching the 100lb mark as well. This breed has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. There are some health concerns you should be aware of by talking with your breeder before choosing this dog. Educated owners are much better ones.
5. Doberman Pinscher

Dobbies are fearless, alert and highly trainable. They require positive reinforcement training and lots of socializing when they are young in order to raise a confident and stable dog. As with most breeds, they will need regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. They are good with kids, and will tolerate other dogs when introduced properly. They are very eager to please, this makes positive reinforcement training easier and the best way to go. They like to be a part of things you are doing, so include them and give them jobs.

Dobbies have a life expectancy of 10-12 years. There are some health concerns related to this breed, your breeder should be more then happy to walk you through the proper care that will be needed to keep them healthy and happy. Dobbies are also a large breed, females range from 60-90lbs and males 75 -100lbs.

6. Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog is a very smart and playful herding dog. They love playing with children and learning new tricks. Shelties are very commonly seen in competition for obedience, agility and herding trials. They are great with their family and love children.

Because of their active nature they do need a lot of mental and physical exercise. Because of their herding qualities they like to try and boss their people around and heard them. Some concerns that come with their naturally herding tendencies is that they like to chase things that move, this may also include cars and bcycles, because of this it is important to keep them on the leash when walking and have them in a fenced in yard at home. The ultimate setting for this dog is a farm where they have lots of land to run on, and potentially some live stock to heard.

As with most of the intelligent dogs, they are easy to train, can be great with children and other dogs, but they also don’t like to be left alone. These dogs create relationships with their people and do prefer to be around them. They can be left alone for short periods of time, but do better when they have you around.

7. Labrador Retriever

Labs are a personality plus breed, they are loyal and love to play with others, they are very active and high spirited. Labs are a seasonal sheder, but because of their shorter coat don’t require as much grooming. They are great with kids and are ok with other dogs if introduced properly, supervision is recommended.

Labs are another eager to please large breed, the females rage from 55-70lbs, and the males 65-80lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years. Labs love to play and explore. Regular exercise is required to keep their weight in check.

8. Papillon

This one surprised me that it made it to the top 10. It is not very often that a small breed does. Papillons are known to happy and alert little guys and are not shy or aggressive. These little guys are regular winners in agility trials at the sports highest levels. They are a lot more solid then they may look.

Because of their size, they can be good with young children, but are better suited for families older children as the young ones may hurt them unintentionally. They are very easy to train and are great with other dogs. The Papillon is good in the warmer weather but does not like to be out in the cooler climates.

Papillons have a longer coat so they will be in need of regular grooming. Don’t think of this as a choir, think of it as a great bonding experience for you and your pet. When introduced to regular grooming as a puppy they will grow to like grooming and bath times. Because of the longer hair over their ears don’t forget to clean those too during bath time to keep wax build up under control.

For a small breed, they are pretty great dogs, oh and cute as heck…

9. Bloodhound

Bloodhounds have a very distinctive look with their long droopy ears and their deep drown eyes hiding under their droopy brows. They are a large breed getting up to about 110lbs. The Bloodhound is a tracking dog, they are designed to track a scent for miles. They don’t have a high activity level but they do need their exercise. As puppies, they grow 3-5 pounds a week, during this growing stage keep activity lower and on softer surfaces such as grace and carpeting.

As a Bloodhound grows they have no idea how big or strong they are, so it is important to monitor them with small children and other dogs. Another thing to keep in mind with this breed, imagine what behaviours you will want the 110lb version of them to have, and make sure you train and correct their bad habits when they are young so they don’t carry bad habits as they get bigger.

Don’t let their sad faces take advantage of your heart strings or they will become the boos of the house when they get older. Bloodhounds were bred to live in packs so they love to be around their family, don’t get this dog if you are just going to leave him alone a lot.

10. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is very affectionate with their families. They are intelligent, have endurance and are willing to work, this makes them suitable for police dogs, herding dogs, service and therapy dogs. They are inherent protectors, socializing and positive reinforcement training as a pup is important to raise a level-headed and confident dog.

Rotties are a thicker breed, they will need two solid workouts a day to keep them healthy. Because of their companionship with their families, they would like to do their work out activities with you. How well this breed reacts to children and other dogs is dependent on their upbringing.

The Rottweiler is a larger breed, the females with average 77-110lbs and the males 110-130 lbs. They have some health concerns that you should known about before you choose this breed, your vet and breeder will be able to give you everything you need to raise a happy and healthy puppy. The life expectancy of this breed is 10-12 years.

Your dog pulls you down the street, he eats the garbage, he chews through your things when you are out. When you are having dinner he tries to take things from the table. You let him out when you get home but he just goes to the bathroom in the house once you let him in. If you let him off the leash he may or may not come back. Sound familiar?

These are all very common behavioural issues and unfortunately in some cases, it is your fault. Now there is an exception to every rule, and some behavioural issues will need to be adjusted by a professional. However there are lots of things you can do in the home first before we consider that… Let’s break down each of the common issues and talk about some solutions

Walking on a leash. I’m sure you have heard at one point or another the term ‘pack animal’. Your dog is a pack animal, and as such, they need to know who is boss at all times. That being said the extent that this is needed differs from each breed. For example, a toy poodle needs to know who is the boss, and may need a stern tone from time to time, however not nearly as much as a mastiff.

Puppies, when it comes to teaching your dog to walk on a leash, it really is best to start early when they are puppies and create a strong positive experience. You will also want it to be consistent so it becomes a routine. When I’m teaching a puppy to walk on a leash it takes a lot of patience, and treats. As they learn to walk on a leash, always reward them with praise and treats when they walk nicely for a stretch of time, even if that stretch is just 4-5 houses down. I use Zukes, they come in many flavor’s, and they are super small, great for training. This rewarding will help the process along.

As the walking becomes better, start to add more challenging things. For example every time you come to a cross street, have them stop and sit. Use the words ‘stop’, and ‘sit’ when you are giving direction. Use these words every time, and every time the puppy does it right, reward them.

I know I drew a picture of a perfect scenario. I know this is not always the case. For the more difficult puppy that wants to take the leash from you and pull you down the street, much more patience and consistency is required. Every time the puppy pulls, call him back to you and have him ‘heel’ and ‘sit’ (use the leash to force him back if you have too). Again use these commands consistently. I know your puppy won’t just sit and heel, you will have to show him what you want from him, also using the commands you want him to associate that particular behaviour too. Once the puppy responds give him a treat. Then continue the walk, if he starts to run off again and grab the leash and be a little monster, start the process again. Be firm and consistent and always reward good behaviours with lots of treats and praise. Trust me when I tell you, your puppy much rather you be giving him cuddles and treats then yelling and screaming. As you are consistent with the training, he will learn that doing what you want him to equal lots of cuddles and treats… Lots of patience and consistency will make all the difference.

The Older Puppy, I use the term older puppy, because most dogs are puppies until they are about 2. That is when they stop growing and start to calm down a bit. This does vary by breed, but it is a good guideline for you where you are thinking of getting a new dog. For the older puppy that challenges are a lot greater, the dog is settling into their surroundings with their good or bad behaviour. One thing to remember is that it isn’t too late to fix bad habits.

The process for an older puppy is very similar to the ones for the difficult puppy. You will have to be stern and very consistent. You will also have to use lots of good praise and treats as leverage when they do good things. The biggest challenge at this stage is that your dog may start to challenge your authority, they are doing this to claim their throne as head of the house.. YOU CAN NOT LET THIS HAPPEN… letting your dog run your house will mean that it will run your life. This is a dangerous thing for many larger breeds, and a very challenging thing across the board.

If you have an older puppy heading into adult hood with bad walking habits, it means they may not be getting the walks they need because you are tired of the hassle, creating a negative circle, as the puppy has lots of pent-up energy and you are just frustrated with everything they do… Break the cycle, start in your yard if you don’t want to take chances with potential distraction from an outdoor walk. Walk them along the fence line. Stopping every once in a while giving ‘stop’, ‘heel’, and ‘sit’ commands, rewarding every good behavior with treats and praise. When you start to feel better about the walking behaviours you can start to do short walks out front, monitoring possible distractions and continuing the same type of routine as you did in the yard. If you are finding that your dig is still super hyper on the leash, maybe try playing fetch in the yard for a bit first, get some of that pent-up energy put before starting the walk.

I know the idea of playing fetch with your dog before walking them is silly, but remember the walk at this point is all about training, and not so much about the walking to burn off energy yet. Dogs always respond better to training when they get enough exercise. Once you start to see consistent behaviour from your dog you can start to cut off play time before the walk and use the walk as the exercise. The positive to having to go through the process, that while you are doing it you are building a closer bond between you and your dog. They will start to respect you are their leader more and will overall become a better member of your home.

Chewing Things While Your Out, This behaviour is also known as separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is something many dogs suffer from. A lot of the time we have actually taught our dogs to act this way, by the way we leave them when we go out. A common error is to give them lots of attention and cuddles right before you leave, and then have them follow you to the door before you close it on them and go to work. This actually stresses out your dog. The behaviour your dog exhibits before you leave your home is the one they will carry all day while you are gone. If you are getting them excited or filling them with praises, love and cuddles they want more and want to follow you, when you close the door they stress out because they can’t get to you, and they carry that stress the entire time your gone.

Stress is a very destructive emotion. When your dog is stressed they may resort to chewing to work out their anxiety. Unfortunately they never seem to chew on just their toys, they begin to chew on the furniture and other items in the household they are not suppose too. The anxiety can also be caused by insecurities, some dogs get very emotionally attached to their owners a fret all day while they are at work

There is a way to correct this, and a way to avoid it completely….

Avoiding this behaviours starts from an early age. I have a mastiff, they are known to suffer from separation anxiety, knowing this I added training to help him cope with me being away as a puppy. To do this I would leave the house without saying bye, I would just walk out and close the door. I could hear him cry, but I would go out to my car and wait for a few minutes before I would come back in. When I did I ignored him, when he calmed down I would then give him lots of praise and cuddles. I would do the same things when I took him for car rides, I would say nothing when I would leave, and nothing when I came back to the car. He of course was super excited to see me, I would ignore him, and as soon as he calmed down, I would acknowledge him and pat him. By starting with short leaves, your dog starts to learn that you will always come back..

Crate training is a great thing, using a crate to offer your pup their own personal space is a great tool to train and help them relax while away from work. Bourbon my pup loves his crate so much that he lays in it on his own sometimes when he wants to be on his own. This is so big, when he was a puppy I would make sure everything about the crate was a positive experience. As an almost adult he is more them happy to lay in his crate while I am at work. It is safer for him, because he doesn’t get into anything while I’m away, and it’s less stress for me because I know he is safe. The crate is part of his routine. In the morning, he goes out, has his breakfast, some play time, and when he sees me bring my stuff at the front door he knows I’m leaving for work soon and we will go to his crate on his own and lay down. I give him some treats before I lock the door and tell him he’s a good boy. I finish packing my things up and off I go…

If crate training is not for you, or it may too late to introduce it we can go into how to solve the separation anxiety. Aside from the tricks I already mentioned, another great things is lots and lots of exercise. If you can give your dog a good walk before you have to leave in the morning, your dog is a lot more likely to relax while you are at work. Routine is so so important, if they know you get up around the same time every day, and they go for their walk, and they have their breakfast, have some quiet time and then you go to work… They will start to adapt to the routine and feel much more relaxed while you are away. Routine with my pup has made every aspect of the training so much more manageable.

Taking Food From The Table, is a jealous behaviour, this can happen when they feel left out, or if they are spoiled in other aspects of their lives and feel entitled to eat from the table. This is when your dog is the boss of you. The number one mistake dog owners make when it comes to meal time is giving your dogs food from the table. Doing this even just once opens up a whole can of worms you can’t always put back.

Our food is not good for them, many dogs can’t digest it properly and it can cause major problems. If you have unknowingly created this bad habit it is a great challenge to change it. Dogs love to eat things they usually don’t get to, if they are getting table scraps they might look at it as getting a treat making it harder to get them out of the behaviour. Consistency and positive reinforcement is a way to attempt to curve this… No more table scraps, have the dog sit and stay away from the table, and reward his good behaviour with his own treats after supper time is over. Very consistent training is required to change this behaviour.

Using Your Home As A Toilet, this behaviour can stem from separation anxiety, it can also be a health issue. Sometimes it i just because you changed their routines. A lot of the time this behaviour can be fixed by really thinking of why it is happening and changing it…

Puppies, house training is something we all want to do super fast. Crate training can help with this if you wanted to take that route.. Pee pads are great! I have used them for all my puppies. I typically have one set up by the back door in case the accident it timing, and because I want them to be used to going to one area to head out to do their business. Again lots of treats and lots of praise is good… Again the routine comes into play, after the puppy plays, let him out, after the puppy eats, about 10min later let him out, when you get up in the morning let him out, before bed at night let him out. The puppy will grow to recognize this is the bathroom times and will respond positively to that. Eventually they will grasp the concept and start to tell you when they have to go out to pee.

Sometimes the bathroom issues stem from a move or change in the routines in the house. Dogs really do fall into a routine, they like the routine, they feel confident in it. When it changes there is usually an adjustment period. Sometimes it may feel like they are doing it on purpose, they just might be. Yes your dog can throw a temper tantrum. Patience and reinforcing a new routine will help curve the problem.

In older dogs a lot of the time it can be related to medical issues, or simply they can’t hold it anymore. Pee pads are great in the case, keeps the messes in one spot. And just to be sure to always check with your vet if you are concerned.

Once They Are Out They Are Never Coming Back, there is nothing worse than taking your dog to a park, letting them off a leash and then chasing them down the street. Or not closing the front door all the way and them chasing someone down walking by. Even worse, when you call them they just look at you and keep going. DO NOT scold them after using their command ‘come’ and they finally do.. You are actually teaching them that when they do come to you, you are mad at them.

Bring training back into the yard. It is a safe and fenced area for you to work with your pup. Practice ‘come’, ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ with them, and remember lots of treats and positive reinforcement. Then try things like telling them to ‘stay’ when you throw their favourite ball, and then once it hits the ground tell them it’s ok to go.. This type of training reinforces that you are the boss, and that you tell them when they can do things. This will not be an overnight fix. When a dog is challenging your authority by not listening it can me a phase that lasts months. Be patient and consistent and you will se break throughs….

I hope I covered most of what you were concerned about. I will be releasing an ebook on this site shortly with many more step by step training tool and ideas for you, to help fix many of the common behavioural problems.

If there is anything you need help with specifically, or you have a great training story, please share your experiences in a comment below…