Training and Behavior Problems

[ScootieBootie]

If you have a training or behavior question, please feel free to pm me! I'll help you out anyway I can so you don't have to worry about feeling like and out of control dog owner!

I own Liberty Dog Training in Fayetteville NC and am a behaviorist and trainer. I'm not looking to make money off of anyone here! All advise I give is to help you have a better relationship with your yorkies!

I just want to see some of you happier and able to get control of what you feel is out of control!

You can ready what some of my clients have said:
LDT Home

[Nancy1999]

Wow, that's really great of you. I'm a great believer in dog training too, dogs are relatively simple to train, it's the owners that are so difficult. So what do you think is the number one mistake dog owners make?

[ScootieBootie]

They give their dog full access to the home right away.
They do not assert themselves as leaders from the get go.

They train their dogs with physical punishment.

I could go on and on and on....

I've just seen so many things, but I'd have to say letting the dogs run the house is the worst mistake. It's confusing and overwhelming to the dog, and does not teach the dog boundaries and respect.

Out of curiousity...what do you think the worst mistake dog owner's make is???

You'd be surprised how many people think the dog is "born" knowing what people want/expect it to do! (Seriously...I've met some stupid people...ones you just don't know what planet they are from....)LOL! I've seen them repeatedly belt out commands, and the dog just ignores them, because a dog does not "know" what sit/down, etc is without ever being taught! But some people think "training" is saying the command, and the dog just does it!

[Nancy1999]

Oh, I wasn't expecting a question in return. The biggest mistake I see is people who think spoiling and pampering are the same thing. When I think of a spoiled dog, I think of a scared yappy out of control dog whose owner hasn't asserted himself as the pack leader. When I think of a pampered dog I think of a happy healthy dog who knows what's expected of him, and feels like a valued member of the family. I think we really show our love by learning how to discipline and giving the dog the leadership it needs.

I guess it bothers me when people let there dog do anything it wants, and say, "I just can't help spoiling him."

[ScootieBootie]

It's amazing how many people let their dog do what they want and then complain later that things are bad...

Thanks! I wonder what other people think is the worst thing owners do "wrong..."

[Gardeness]

I'll jump in and say I think the worst thing a dog owner can do is NOT to research the dog before they get it. They have no idea on how to treat the dog. And they don't realize that they (the owner) is the pack leader to the dog.

And another thing some owners do wrong (as previously mentioned) is to NOT train their dogs at all and then punish and complain about the dog.

[Ladylavender]

Originally Posted by ScootieBootie

It's amazing how many people let their dog do what they want and then complain later that things are bad...

Thanks! I wonder what other people think is the worst thing owners do "wrong..."

I think the worst thing that owners do is assign human thoughts and processes to their dogs. Because they believe that a dog operates the same way a human does, they base all their theories, training and discipline under these assumptions and wonder why their dog won't train. (ex: dogs do things to "get even", "out of jealousy", because they are "mad" at the owner for some slight, etc.)

I have found that no matter what you tell them, these same people are unable to grasp the concept that a dog thinks like a dog, not a human and they will continue to think this even though they are not getting the results they want. And therefore there is "something wrong with the dog", not them.

[Nancy1999]

This is an interesting thread.

[Jaya and Jenna]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

This is an interesting thread.

I agree Nancy!


........ I think the number one thing dog owners do wrong is buy a dog and not invest the time and effort into him or her. A dog is a LIVING, BREATHING creature and deserves to be treated as such.

Some owners I have met, keep their dogs tied up when they cannot be bothered with the dog...... and only untie the dog when they want to show off for friends. And then they wonder why the hell the dog is so hyper and uncontrollable. And the thing is, these owners teach this behavior to their children by modelling it. Another example is when owners allow their dog to pee and poo all over the house.... or if he or she is tied up, to be forced to go to the bathroom in the small wandering space theyve been allotted. It just breaks my heart to think of how many people buy dogs to just keep them tied up all day.

[ScootieBootie]

Originally Posted by Jaya and Jenna

I agree Nancy!


........ I think the number one thing dog owners do wrong is buy a dog and not invest the time and effort into him or her. A dog is a LIVING, BREATHING creature and deserves to be treated as such.

Some owners I have met, keep their dogs tied up when they cannot be bothered with the dog...... and only untie the dog when they want to show off for friends. And then they wonder why the hell the dog is so hyper and uncontrollable. And the thing is, these owners teach this behavior to their children by modelling it. Another example is when owners allow their dog to pee and poo all over the house.... or if he or she is tied up, to be forced to go to the bathroom in the small wandering space theyve been allotted. It just breaks my heart to think of how many people buy dogs to just keep them tied up all day.

This is one of my biggest dog owner "issues" and I actually wrote an article about this for my local paper: 910pets - Barking Up the Right Tree archive

I've seen dogs whose only interaction with people is during the 2 seconds it takes them to toss them some food and water...

There are so many "mistakes" that are made with dogs that lead to problem behaviors.

I'm really enjoying reading your opinions on this!

[Jaya and Jenna]

I am the blacksheep in my inlaws because I refuse to stay silent about those 'certain' individuals who keep their dog tied up because they're too lazy to take care of him. (She had the audacity to say that I have freetime on my hands and that is why I do so much for my dogs - no dammit! it just means that I'm not LAZY).

We visited their house just last night, and the kids were home alone with the dog tied up and whining. I let him loose and then ripped into the kids "Why is he tied up??????". There was urine everywhere. And the kids' response... "he was bugging us"........... lets just say i flipped out........ and then the kids dare to even say "oh we're gonna get another one".

I am so worked up over this issue. If I see him tied up one more time, I will involve the authorities. I cannot keep warning them.
That dog deserves BETTER. He deserves love.

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by Ladylavender

I think the worst thing that owners do is assign human thoughts and processes to their dogs. Because they believe that a dog operates the same way a human does, they base all their theories, training and discipline under these assumptions and wonder why their dog won't train. (ex: dogs do things to "get even", "out of jealousy", because they are "mad" at the owner for some slight, etc.)

I have found that no matter what you tell them, these same people are unable to grasp the concept that a dog thinks like a dog, not a human and they will continue to think this even though they are not getting the results they want. And therefore there is "something wrong with the dog", not them.

You read on a daily basis new owner's do not understand why
they have a bad dog. It dosen't listen they say. I hope they see
this thread.

Welcome and thank you so very much for taking the time to give
us professional advise. One never has enough of that.

[Nancy1999]

I get a kick out of those who always say," I've tried everything! Nothing works." It's like they tried everything one time, but weren't consistent with anything.