MANAGEMENT OR TRAINING?

Many canine behaviors are unsatisfactory to the people who care for the dog and some are downright dangerous. Some behaviors are normal and some are abnormal. It is useful to be aware of normal canine behaviors, behaviors that are hard wired with various breeds and behaviors that may be abnormal for any dog.

Barking is often welcome as an alarm signal but extremely bothersome when it goes on non stop for hours at a time. It is interesting how many people holler at their dogs to SHUT UP! and do so over and over for years never quite getting the picture that the hollering has not solved the barking problem. I bet the dog believes all along that she is a star because her human is “barking” too!

Chasing cars, motorcycles, bicycles, joggers and romping children is dangerous while it is simply amusing or barely bothersome when the same behavior involves the lawn mower or vacuum cleaner.

There are definitely breeds that appear ready to bark at anything or, it seems, nothing. Some terrier breeds come to mind. Chasing anything that moves is routinely associated with herding breeds. These are normal behaviors for those breeds but not necessarily welcome under all circumstances. English Bull Terriers are subject to obsessive compulsive behaviors such as tail chasing, and that is not normal even though it is often found in individuals of that breed. There is a predisposition to tail chasing in German Shepherd Dogs and some Dobermans become flank suckers. While these behaviors are associated with the breed they are definitely abnormal.*

So, what’s a person to do!

It is a very good idea to use caution when getting a dog – any dog – but certainly investigate the good the bad and the ugly that comes hard wired for breeds. If a terrier with a long history of barking as a natural behavior is your heart’s desire begin from day one to positively reinforce non barking actions and MANAGE behaviors to prevent triggering barking unnecessarily.

Training and management are not mutually exclusive but they may be. Sometimes we really have little choice but to manage and other times we can manage while we train. For example, herding breeds can definitely be taught not to chase cars, motorcycles and the kids playing on the lawn. BUT – they must be managed also and that means never allowing them to practice the undesirable behavior. Terriers can be positively reinforced for all quiet actions but can be managed in that they are not allowed access to the window that looks out on the neighbor’s cat – which sets many terriers off into a frenzy of hysterical barking, racing around the house, leaping on the furniture – often tipping things over, etc. Actually, trying to catch a dog in the midst of such frenzy (Good luck with that action, incidentally) could result in getting bitten. The dog is not being aggressive but is too highly aroused to do anything but respond to hands grabbing for him.

If your dogs – no matter the breeds! - bark at passing bikers, dogs, running children, be certain that you have them on leash when out walking where they are very likely to encounter such things. At home do not allow them access to fence lines, doors and windows where they get frustrated seeing (or hearing) things that trigger the behavior. Dogs that get highly aroused often escape and attack whatever or whoever is there. Dogs that get to act out their frustrations running along the roof often fall to their deaths or are seriously injured.

If your dog barks outside at night, guess what? Solve the problem by bringing your dog inside! Oh? You say you want your dog out there to protect you? “Out there your dog is subject to being poisoned or otherwise harmed (killed!). If your dog is in the house you get the same alarm benefits and your dog is not at risk. Besides, all too often that barking outside brings nary a check out from the owners who get immune to the racket. Dogs are social creatures and often bark simply because they are alone. Barking can result in releasing endorphins giving the dogs a “high” and resulting in positively reinforcing the behavior!

Punishment is not the answer to stop the barking. Oh, it may work – for awhile – but it doesn’t teach the dog what to do that is appropriate under the circumstances. Hurting your dog can seriously backfire and not achieve what you had in mind. The very worst consideration is an electric shock collar. Don’t go there!

Learn how to solve barking, chasing and other common canine behaviors in an effective and non harmful manner.

• Self destructive/obsessive compulsive behaviors may be satisfactorily reduced in intensity through the use of psychopharmacological interventions but there is always (well – there SHOULD always be!) a behavior modification program that works along with the meds. Use great care when using such meds with your dog. Become a knowledgeable dog owner and investigate any drugs recommended for use with your dogs. Although various breeds are predisposed to obsessive compulsive behavior (OCB) much MUST be done to modify the animal’s life to reduce the intensity of the behavior. It is no fun giving drugs that turn your canine companion into a version of a zombie!

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