SEPARATION ANXIETY

By Nature dogs are social animals that live their daily life within a pack.
What are the Signs?
-Destructive Behavior; often around doors, windows and clothing
-Barking, Howling and or Whining
-Following from room to room
-Pacing, excessive salivating or vomiting
-Eliminating in the house
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Whenever any sudden behavior changes appear it is important to rule out Health Issues. Make sure to have your dog thoroughly by your veterinarian.
TRAINING : This helps build your dogs confidence by giving him task he can succeed at.
PLENTY OF EXERCISE: Sometimes a walk will not be enough to drain anxiety, look at what your dog is telling you, he might need more.
STUFFED KONG: Stuff a Kong with Peanut Butter, dog food or milk bones. It can even be put in the freezer to make it a little more challenging for him to retrieve. Play hide and seek with it. Start out with easy to find places and then make it more challenging.
PREVENTION: When bringing a small puppy home, make sure to acclimate him to periods of absence right away. Work on staying calm. Never make it a big deal when leaving and returning. This teaches him it is just part of the packs daily routine and that it’s no big deal.

The Hound Breed

HOUND BREED GROUP

AFGHAN,  AMERICAN FOXHOUND,  BASENJI,  BASSET HOUND,  BEAGLE,  BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND,  BLOODHOUND,  BORZOI,  DACHSHUND,  ENGLISH FOXHOUND,  GREYHOUND,  HARRIER, IBIZIAN HOUND, IRISH WOLFHOUND,  NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND, OTTERHOUND, PETITE BASSET GRIFFON VENDEEN, PHAROAH HOUND, PLOTT,  RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK,  SALUKI, WHIPPET

CHARACTERISTICS:

Hound Dogs are easily distracted and have a independent nature. Hound Dogs are often broken into 2 groups, SIGHT and SCENT.

The Scent Hounds appearance of long ears, droopy eyes and distinctive face is consistent with their keen ability to track. They track their prey by smell but “BE AWARE” as this can cause these dogs to run off when they have picked up on a scent.

The Sight Hounds appearance is very different. They are very slender yet athletic. They are built for running and have incredible speed. The instinct to chase is very strong so “BE AWARE” as they will often chase Cats and other small animals.

Most Hound Dogs have a gentle temperament and can make wonderful house pets, but keep in mind that they have been bred to work independently of humans and can be easily distracted and bored. They have less pack drive and desire to please their owners then other breeds. This can come off as stupidity and stubbornness.  So when Training decrease repetitions and reward them with something they consider valuable, like Sniff Time.

German Shepherd

German Shepherd

HERDING GROUP CHARACTERISTICS:

The natural instinct of the herding dog, exhibit a high prey drive and or chase drive.  It can be difficult for this breed to become desensitized to the activities of small children and moving objects.  It  is likely to see them bite and nip when they are excited.  German Shepherds are easily trained as they are bred to specifically  work closely  with humans.  It is loyalty and sense of duty that has made the German Shepherd a dog that works well herding livestock, in law enforcement, guide dog for the blind, and a friend to the military.

Respecting the needs while bringing balance

German Shepherds are high energy dogs, they require exercise daily. To build a bond and establish your leadership, I recommend a minimum of two 30 minute walks per day.

German Shepherds are intelligent trainable dogs that deserve a home willing to dedicate the time necessary to create a well balanced dog.  When their needs have not been met or the bond is weak, it may result in destructive behaviors.

Top 5 training tips

1. ENERGY

Keeping your energy good will help your dog move forward, whereas bad energy results in your dog being confused, fearful, irritated , and eventually shutting down.

2. ATTITUDE

Practice a positive attitude by believing in your dog. Practice patience and understanding. Remember he is an animal with a very different language than your own.

3. BODY  LANGUAGE

Learn Dog Talk. Dogs communicate through body language, so keep your verbal communication to a minimum.

4. RUN SPOT…..RUN

Dogs need exercise just like you, and what a better way than to have a partner to team up with. A controlled walk daily will create the ultimate bond between you and your dog. Start today and make walking a habit you can’t live without.

5. GIVE THAT DOG A…

Try using alternative behavior to replace unwanted ones. Reward your dog for good behavior with a treat, toy or chest rub.

Welcome to www.midtowndog.com

Welcome to http://www.midtowndog.com. I will be posting training tips and other useful infomation here. Feel free to contact me at midtowndog@mac.com —Denise D’Elia