Dog Obedience Training Problems: The Hidden Causes

Last week a client, Clare, called me in a panic to tell me about a dogfight. Normally her two young dogs are best friends, but last week there was a big-time dogfight.

Clare was worries that this wasn’t going to be just a one-time thing, so she called and asked for my help. She insisted that she had no idea what could have caused the fight.

Clare’s impression was that the problem simply “came out of nowhere!”

But when it comes to dog obedience training, in reality there were definite reasons why her dogs lost control, and dog behavior signs that indicated the dogs were getting edgy with each other. (For example, when a dog would enter the room, the other one would start growling.)

Before I share the rest of the story, I’d like you to go and download this free dog obedience training audio course that I’ve put together for you. This audio course alone can solve some of the most common dog obedience issues most people are faced with, but I’m also going to throw in 16 dog training videos, 5 dog training manuals, and a lot more free stuff to help you out. Please make sure you do that right now.

Back to the story.

When we talked I reminded Clare that she was in the process of remodeling her house. Even if the project is managed perfectly, remodeling your home creates confusion and chaos.

The remodeling project wasn’t exactly going smoothly. Normally quiet and relaxed at home, instead Clare was tense and upset and had unhappy discussions with the subcontractor. And to make matters worse, this had been going on for a long time!

Why Did Clare’s Dogs Act Out?

Clare said, “But my dogs like each other! They play together and sleep together.”

The plain truth is… dogs do not live in a vacuum. Dogs sense what’s going on around them and what the people close to them are feeling, thinking, and even experiencing. Clare’s dogs:

1.  Watched Clare (who is usually calm) verbally confront a subcontractor many times,

2.  Felt her unhappiness, anxiety, and anger,

3.  Lived in remodeling chaos,

4.  Missed dog classes, and

5. Wasn’t getting enough exercise. (Because it had been so hot for the past few weeks, Clare neglected to take them on their usual walks and simply let them run in her backyard instead.)

Any of those reasons alone probably would not have triggered a fight, but when stacked on top of each other, the increasing level of stress broke down the relationship between two formerly friendly dogs.

Will this Now be a Permanent Shift in the Dogs’ Relationship?

No. The remodeling is now finished. There’s now, once again, peace in the house. Dog lessons and dog walks have restarted. It will take a little time, but things between the two dogs will go smoothly again.

Think About the Hidden Emotional Signals You’re Sending to Your Dog?

If you want to see how your emotions affect your dogs try this exercise from my book, Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right.

Invite your dog with you in a room. Close the door. Sit on the floor. Do not talk, move, or gesture but think angry and unhappy thoughts for the first minute.

Then you want to add actual words, other sounds, and even body language to express your feelings.

But, you don’t want to direct them at your dog! For the next 30 seconds, allow yourself to experience the emotions pouring out.

* Does the dog come up to you, avoid you, get nervous, or ignore you?

* Does the dog’s reaction change? Does the dog react more when you add words, feelings, and body language?

Now shift your thinking and start focusing on happy and exciting thoughts for 60 seconds. Now try adding some words, movement, or sounds to give your feelings a “physical” presence. However, do not direct them at the dog! During the next 30 seconds use a happy voice… feel the emotion pouring out.

* Does your dog come to you, try and avoid you, get anxious, or not pay attention to you?

* Do you notice that your dog’s reaction changes? Notice whether or not your dog has a stronger reaction once you add feelings, sound and body language?

This is an easy exercise to show the effect your attitude and voice has on a dog. When you are stressed or upset due to a bad day at work, a fight with a neighbor or son, or an accident where you trip and hit your shin against the table, your dog feels it. Tension is something that dogs absorb.

There are certain signs of dominant behaviors that demand quick action, such as one dog putting his chin on another dog’s shoulders, snarling or growling if another dog enters the room, guarding a toy or a food bowl, or ears or a tail that is very erect. Search out the reasons behind this assertion of dominance and bring the relationships back into balance with training, food changes, regular exercise, increasing your presence as leader of the pack, and calling a professional when you just can’t figure it out.

Also, be sure to go and download the free dog obedience training audio course (and the videos and workbooks) I mentioned above. These tools have helped many thousands of dog owners understand why their dogs act the way they do, and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you!