Pets Information


Dog Behavior Training: Methods of Working with a Shy Dog


Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but unfortunately many dogs who suffer from this affliction are never seen by the general public because of their impairment. Shy dogs range from those who scurry away when someone walks by, to those who bite when approached. No matter how vehement their behavior, however, there are ways of not only managing it, but solving the problem.

Symptoms of a Shy Dog

Most shy dogs will exhibit several different behaviors that show you their true nature. They can display flattened ears, glassy eyes, pant oddly, tuck their tail between their legs, and refuse to make eye contact. They may run away scared, urinate inappropriately (also called submissive urination), bare his teeth, bark, growl, or perhaps bite.

Why is He Shy?

When looking at ways to start dog behavior training, you'll first need to figure out exactly why your dog is shy. There are two families of debate on this topic; the current model states that shyness is genetic in dogs. However, as always with animal-life behavior, the debate about nature vs. nurture rages on. A mother dog may teach her shy behaviors to her pups, for instance. However, you should also check with your vet to make sure there aren't any medical reasons as to why your dog seems shy. And finally, you'll want to observe your dog to make sure that it's not just dog behavior training that is required - perhaps they never really learned how to socialize properly in the first place. If this is the case, then you should be able to use some very effective dog behavior training techniques to fix this issue in no time.

Methods to Overcome Shyness

The first thing you should do is read as much as you can about your dog, its temperament, breed, and any related issues that may be contributing to his shyness. Also make a point of reading up on dog behavior training methods. Talk to your vet, other pet owners, local dog clubs and the SPCA to get ideas, too.

Then, take your dog to the vet and have him checked out thoroughly. Poor hearing and eyesight can contribute (or even cause) this problem, as can epilepsy, chronic pain or an ear infection.

Then, make sure that you've spayed or neutered your animal. Breeding them, unless you are highly trained to do so, won't help at all. Plus, you'll be increasing the life span of your pooch in the process.

Dog behavior training is the next step of the process. Learn more about what distracts your dog (both with his individual personality and breed), what motivates him, and whether or not he was bred to work with humans. Determine what his prey drive is (the want to chase things), pack drive (the want to be in a pack, or belong to a human), and defensive drives (fight and flight). Knowing this information will change your dog behavior training dramatically.

Now you can start with the obedience training. Try and look for local schools that can help you get started on this process, because doing it on your own can be a bit overwhelming at first. Let the school know why you want to investigate dog behavior training, and what goals you hope to accomplish with your dog. Also, look at some agility training for your dog as well, to keep his body in tip-top condition.

(c) 2005 dog-training-info.com. This article may be republished as long as these bylines are included.

Kevin Simmons is the webmaster of http://www.dog-training-info.com. Please visit the site for more free dog training articles. Online URL for this article: http://www.dog-training-info.com/dog-behavior-training.htm


MORE RESOURCES:

Pet-centric Retail Site Muttropolis.com Included in Internet ...
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
Featured alongside some of the world's most highly regarded brands, Muttropolis is one of only three pet related sites to be included among the honorees and ...
ToolKing.com Makes Internet Retailer’s Hot 100 Retail Web Site List WebWire (press release)
all 6 news articles


Dogpile raises money for pets in need
CNET News, CA - 21 hours ago
Metasearch engine Dogpile announced Tuesday that it has raised $100000 toward its goal of raising $1 million to help pets in need. ...
Dogpile.com Users Raise First $100000 for ASPCA MarketWatch
Dogpile.com Users Raise First $100000 for ASPCA Consumer Electronics Net
all 14 news articles


Outrageous hotel perks for pets
MSNBC - 1 hour ago
“Like their owners, pets should have a chance to get away from their normal routine,” said the hotel’s chef concierge, James Little. ...


Homeless pets still need to eat
Reuters - 56 minutes ago
With foreclosures of homes on the rise, so are stories of pet abandonment, but pet food maker Del Monte says sales of dog and cat food and treats hasn’t ...


Allergic and wheezing, but still keeping pets
CNN - Dec 2, 2008
Like the 10 million American pet owners with allergies, the Coronados faced a dilemma: Can human and dog co-exist in the same house? ...


Pets need a home for the holidays
Ponte Vedra Recorder, FL - 3 hours ago
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is hosting its third annual pet adoption event, "A Home for the Holidays," on Saturday, Dec. ...
Mango: Be Aware of the Holiday Let Down Edge
all 2 news articles


Benton County Daily Record

All pets need to be microchipped
Benton County Daily Record, AR - 7 hours ago
If it is, it's relatively easy to get in touch with the owner and let them know we have their pet." Miles had a great example. She remembered a man who had ...
POLICE REPORTS Benton County Daily Record
all 2 news articles


Holidays bring safety challenges for family pets
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 5 hours ago
By DENISE FLAIM Cooked turkey and chicken bones are an oft-warned-about danger, as they splinter easily, creating the potential for perforation or choking. ...


Pets can pose a health threat to children
Buffalo News,  United States - Dec 2, 2008
So says the American Academy of Pediatrics, which warns parents that many of the “easy” pets — the ones that don’t shed, don’t need to be walked, ...
Be careful which pets you choose for your children, say pediatricians KLTV
all 2 news articles


Providence Journal

Protecting pets during the holidays
Charleston Gazette,  USA - 13 hours ago
Here are tips from PetSource.org to ensure your pets remain safe this holiday season. Don't feed your pet human food. Human foods such as turkey, ...
Smiling all the way Providence Journal
Area animal shelters need holiday help Kentucky.com
all 4 news articles

Pets - Google News

home | site map
© 2007