February 28th, 2012
By Eric Letendre
Separation problems are very common with dogs. Dogs are highly social animals and some have a difficult time being left alone.
Separation problems can result in housetraining issues, chewing and destructive behaviors, barking, digging and anxiety.
If your dog is having a separation problem–the following are some steps you can take to help him overcome it.
Step #1: Understand your dog’s behavior. Your dog is not destroying your house to spite or get back at you.
Step #2: Your dog is highly stressed and cannot handle being by herself. You need to help your dog feel secure when left alone.
Step #3: Help develop your dog’s tolerance for being left alone. Your dog becomes stressed when you leave.
Step #4: To increase your dog’s stress tolerance, you need to gradually leave your dog alone for longer and longer periods.
Step #5: This is accomplished by putting on your jacket, grabbing your keys like you’re leaving and walking out the door.
Step #6: Once you’re outside, wait about 5 minutes and walk back in.
Step #7: If your dog can handle the 5 minutes, increase the time to 10 minutes. Once your dog can handle the 10 minutes, keep gradually increasing the amount of time you’re outside.
This does require some time and patience.
Step #8: Crate training your dog can also be very helpful when you have to leave for longer periods of time.
Step #9: Exercise your dog. A dog that has separation problems and a lot of pent-up energy will result in disaster.
Step #10: Bringing your dog to a dog daycare may be an option if your dog does not like the crate and if your dog is very active.
Step #11: The exercise and mental stimulation at the daycare should help your dog overcome separation anxiety.
Step# 12: In extreme cases you may need the help of your veterinarian. A vet can provide medication for dogs that are extremely stressed when left alone.
Get more help with separation anxiety at the Dog Training Inner Circle where I can answeryour questions personally.
All the best,
Eric
P.S. Please pass on to any friends or family that have a dog with this problem.
P.S. The Dog Training Inner Circle has over 85 videos and loads of articles to help with any behavior problem. You also get my step by step dog training plan at the Dog Training Inner Circle
June 21st, 2011
By Eric Letendre
Yes, today I am miserable.
Life is good, no problems with the wife, dog is healthy, business is good, family is safe.
So why an I miserable?
Well my dog loving friend, it all has to do with a weed whacker and a BIG patch of poison ivy that I did not see.
I sit here with it on my face, legs, arms and back.
BUT…
…that is NOT going to stop me from helping you solve your dog training and behavior problems, so let’s mush on!
Many dog owners wonder about being the “alpha” or the “pack leader.”
Dogs are extremely social animals, and it is the reason why we need to establish some order. Your dog can develop big problems if you are not seen as the one in charge.
Aggression, destructive behavior, housetraining, barking, jumping and chewing are just a few of the behaviors that can develop when the owner is not the pack leader.
Why would a dog develop some of these behaviors, you ask?
I can answer that question with one word:
STABILITY!
It is kind of like a kid in the house. Kids that grow up in houses with strong parental guidance tend to be more stable adults. The guidance has to be fair and consistent and it is the same with dogs. A strong leader does not hit, scream, yell or threaten.
Dog trainers used to teach dog owners to be tough with their dogs and to hit, scold, scruff shake and do alpha roll-overs.
Not good, because when you use aggression it is just a matter of time before your dog will get aggressive with you.
Being a strong leader is simple.
Instead of using force, you control the activites that are important to your dog. You control:
Food
Sleeping areas
Social contact
Games
I can take just about any dog and within about a week, I can teach the dog that I am the one in charge without ever touching the dog.
If you’d like to learn more about teaching your dog that you’re the pack leader check out this DVD:
All the best,
Eric
October 16th, 2010
By Eric Letendre
Tiny Dog Has Been Barking Nonstop For 6 Years
Funny little video a friend sent to me. My friend sent it to me because he has a little eight month old beagle that likes to bark all the time. He sent it to thank me because I helped him bring his dog’s barking problem under control.
You see, when he contacted me a few months ago I sent him to the Good K9 Manners course which has a section on how to fix any barking problem. Barking is no longer a problem.
In case you missed it you can still get the Good K9 Manners course for less than you think.
Go to Good K9 Manners and type DOGTVMANNERS to get the complete course at a special price but it won’t last much longer.
October 14th, 2010
By Eric Letendre
Get this… Hungarian scientists are working on computer
software that analyzes dog barks so people can better
recognize their emotions.
It’s true.
And get this… the researchers tested the software in 6
situations: when the dog is alone, when it sees a ball, it
fights, it plays, it encounters a stranger or it goes for
a walk.
But here’s the best part: The computer correctly recognized
the emotional reaction of the dogs based on their barks and
yelps in 43 percent of the cases. People had judged correctly
in 40 percent of cases.
Scientists said the software could be improved.
Why is this important to you?
Imagine if your dog could let you know that they need to go
outside to pee, or if your dog could let you know that they
are pent up and need some exercise before they chew your shoes.
Unfortunately, we have to make do without the software and we
have to communicate what is acceptable and un-acceptable behavior
in the house.
It is one of the reasons I developed the Good K9 Manners course.
The course will help you communicate to your dog that:
* Chewing
* Jumping
* Stealing
* Unruly Behavior
* Barking uncontrollably
are all un-acceptable behaviors.
In case you missed it in yesterday’s Train Your Dog TV, you
can get the Good K9 Manners course for less than you think.
Go to Good K9 Manners and type DOGTVMANNERS and you’ll
get the reduced price.
This won’t last long.
Good K9 Manners and don’t forget DOGTVMANNERS.
All the best,
Eric
October 2nd, 2010
By Eric Letendre
In this second episode of Train Your Dog TV, Eric Letendre, “The Amazing Dog Training Man,” goes in depth on the topic of CHEWING. Chewing is a problem faced by many dog owners, especially puppy owners. Watch this episode to learn how to stop your dog or puppy from chewing on your shoes, furniture, remote control, etc. Eric also answers your dog training questions. Make sure you watch the video to get the details on how to ask Eric your dog training question.
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Eric Letendre is a professional dog trainer from the United States. For more than 20 years, he has been developing dog training "hacks" that have worked for dog owners all over the world. Eric operates from a home office or a laptop while traveling and draws on his experience and passion for dog training to show others how to develop a dog that is truly “Man’s Best Friend”.
Eric is the author of numerous reports, the E-Book “101 Ways to Hack Your Dog’s Behavior,” “The Amazing Dog Training Man Book,” and produced and stars in his DVD “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer.”
