Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 2

On the Popular TV series 揅OPS?they play a song which says, in part, 揃ad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?? Many people bring home an adorable, cute puppy that eventually grows into a dog. Without proper training, some of those dogs become destructive and eventually the owners shrug their shoulders and say 揃ad Dog, Bad Dog, whatcha gonna do?? Hopefully, those people will read articles like this one, 揃ad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 1,?and others like them before they do the unthinkable and call the 揇og Police?to take their beloved pet to the pound!

In 揃ad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 1?we explained the 揇og Pack?instinct, and the 揂lpha Dog?mentality, and gave suggestions on how to 搑eprogram?your dog so that he/she knows that you are the Alpha dog. You can find that article in the Dog Articles Feature at K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises - www.Damascus-Road-Enterprises.com. In addition to those 揂lpha Dog?techniques, there are other things you can do to help alleviate your 揵ad dog behavior.? This article will teach you ways to 揹eprogram?your misbehaving dog so you can retrain him properly and thus facilitate a more harmonious relationship between family and pet.

But before we proceed, if you suffer from 揵ad dog syndrome?with your family pet, make sure there isn抰 an underlying medical condition. Take your dog to the vet, explain your problem, and ensure he/she is healthy, and doesn抰 suffer from dental, intestinal, digestion, parasitic, or other problems. Once you find that your dog is indeed healthy, implement the following suggestions.

1. Read other articles, magazines, ezines, and books on dogs, training and behavior. The more you know the better trainer you抣l be.

2. Be consistent. Just like a child, your dog will notice your inconsistencies, and will 搕est your mettle?by pushing the boundaries to determine who is really in control. Do it the same way every time.

3. Earn your dog抯 respect. Be firm and fair in training and discipline. Never resort to violence. Positive reinforcement techniques have always proven the more successful training method. Your dog抯 submission to you should always be out of respect, not fear.

4. Spend quality time with your dog. Interact with your dog. Quite often, the cause of misbehavior in dogs is similar to that in children. They are simply looking for QUALITY TIME, ATTENTION and LOVE. Remember all the love and attention you gave that sweet, adorable puppy? Well, your adult dog still craves that same love and attention. Just be careful when giving that attention to a problem dog, to always retain your alpha status.

5. During training sessions, always maintain eye contact with your dog until he turns away. That way he knows you are the master and he is submissive to you. I once maintained eye contact with a strong-willed Brittany for 12 minutes before he finally looked away. Demand your dog抯 attention during short training sessions. (A dog抯 attention span is a maximum of ten to fifteen minutes). As examples, command your dog to heel, and then look at you before commencing a walk. Or make your dog sit or lie down before getting treats.

6. Give your dog plenty of exercise. Take her for a thirty minute walk ?the exercise will do you good, give her the attention she deserves, and tire her out so she prefers to rest instead of wreaking havoc! Dogs are a bundle of bounding energy. They can抰 help it, God wired them that way! Give them an outlet for that energy. If you live in the woods like I do, let them out to run and play. (However, I always pen them up at night either outside in a fence with dog houses, or I kennel them inside in cages and kennel crates with crate pads or beds). Take your dog to a park, or better yet, one of those fancy new dog parks where dogs are allowed to play and socialize. Let your dog out in a fenced yard, or if you don抰 have or don抰 like a fenced yard, get an electronic fence and containment system, so your dog knows the boundaries of where they can and can抰 go safely. K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises - www.Damascus-Road-Enterprises.com has some great inside and outside electronic dog containment systems, kennel crates, cages, pads, and beds.

7. Feed your dog a high protein, well balanced diet. Sometimes, dog misbehavior is simply a result of hunger and/or malnutrition. I suggest looking for food with meat and rice as the first ingredients, rather than corn meal and meat by-products. I also suggest a protein content of 24-30% and fat content of 10-18%. This will ensure a strong, healthy dog with a shiny coat.

8. Remove temptation. Put trash cans and people food out of the dog抯 reach. If you have a destructive dog, put him in the yard or in a kennel crate or cage while you are at work or gone from the house. If you let him out to 揹o his business?in the morning before you leave for work, he will be fine in an appropriately sized kennel cage or crate with pillow pad until you return. If needed, you can find sizing guidelines and the appropriate kennel crates, cages, carriers, pads, beds, and other supplies at K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises - www.Damascus-Road-Enterprises.com.

9. If needed, use appropriate training tools. Although choke collars should be a thing of the past because of the possible danger of injury to your dog抯 larynx, an electronic collar is a humane training tool that can provide an appropriate negative 搒ignal,?followed by your positive reinforcement for right behavior. With proper use, in a short time just wearing the collar brings appropriate good behavior. Very few things are more disturbing to a dog lover that seeing your beloved pet run out into the street and get hit by a car, or watching your $1000 bird dog run over the hill never to be seen again. However, if you know your limitations and feel you cannot handle the job yourself, you can find many reputable dog trainers who specialize in behavior problems. Your local vet can probably assist you if needed.

10. Finally, be patient. Positive training and dog behavior modification takes time. Your dog will soon begin to behave in a more positive manner if you follow these helpful suggestions.

Hopefully, these ideas and suggestions, along with a better understanding of who your dog is, will soon move you from saying 揃ad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do??to saying, 揋ood Dog, Good Dog, Oh How I Love You!?

You can find all the AWESOME products you need for training and spoiling your special dog at K-9 Outfitters, a Division of Damascus Road Enterprises ?www.Damascus-Road-enterprises.com.