I often tell clients that, in most cases, “good behavior” is relative.
If your dog rushes to the door whenever someone knocks and it doesn’t bother you, that’s okay. If your dog has a spot on the couch that he or she is possessive of and you don’t mind, that’s okay. If your dog poops and pees on mats in the house instead of eliminating outside, that’s okay, too. It’s whatever works for you. These small problems could eventually turn into slightly more serious problems, but “good behavior” is simply whatever behavior you can happily handle from your pooch.
For some, hyperactivity is one of these behavior issues that can easily be overlooked. Chances are the dog will calm with age. But for others, the constant jumping, barking, nipping, etc. is a source of frustration that deeply affects the human/canine relationship.
I recently met with a woman whose dog, Keegan, jumps on visitors, nips at clothes and hands, and just becomes an all around nuisance when excited. For Keegan’s owner, this behavior is something she’d like to see change. I can do that for her.
In Keegan’s case, he’s not aggressive or even terribly disobedient—the owner uses a spray bottle filled with water as a tool of discipline, but it simply doesn’t work. Keegan does, however, respond to some basic commands.
The owner is obviously dedicated to helping her dog succeed in training; she’s willing to put in the time and effort it takes, and that’s important. However, the spray bottle is not an effective communication tool, and that’s all dog training really is—teaching the dog to pay attention to the owner, and teaching the owner to communicate with the dog.
We’ll work more intensely on basic obedience with Keegan, enforcing the commands he is already familiar with until he can reliably respond in the home, outside of the home, and near any type of distraction. We’ll also designate a spot or two within his home that he’ll retreat to on command and recognize as a calm place.
These techniques, in conjunction with some others, will teach Keegan to pay attention to his owner rather than to visitors or his own whims. He’ll trust his owner, and as long as his owner provides a high level of consistency, she should find no problem in communicating her needs to her pet in the future.
Is your dog too hyperactive for your taste? Does he or she face a different type of behavior challenge? Give me a call at 614.347.9127 to learn how our Columbus Dog Training programs can be of service to you.