Spring is a time where weather can become severe quickly. Our furry friends can be more sensitive to this change and the storms that it can produce. It is not uncommon for dogs to be afraid of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms can be loud, unpredictable, and produce flashing lights and sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, which can be frightening for dogs. Here are a few tips to help a dog who is afraid of thunderstorms:

Tips for Helping Dogs with Thunderstorm Anxiety

Create a safe space

Set up a designated area in your home where your dog can go during a thunderstorm. This space should be comfortable and secure, such as a crate or a small room with minimal windows. Add familiar items like blankets, toys, and your dog’s bed to help them feel more secure.

Use calming aids

Consider using calming aids such as a Thunder-shirt, which is a snug-fitting garment that applies gentle pressure to help soothe anxiety. You can also try using pheromone diffusers or sprays, which emit calming scents that can help relax your dog. CBD is another good option but be careful of cheap brands that contain mostly fillers.

Desensitization

Gradually expose your dog to the sound of thunderstorms in a controlled and positive way. You can do this by playing thunderstorm sounds at a low volume and gradually increasing the volume over time. Pair the sound with positive experiences like treats or playtime to help your dog associate the sound with something positive.

Distraction

During a thunderstorm, engage your dog in activities that they enjoy to distract them from the noise and lightning. This can include playing with toys, practicing basic obedience commands, or providing puzzle toys that require mental stimulation. Having a TV or radio with classical music on will also help drown out the thunder.

Consult with a veterinarian

If your dog’s fear of thunderstorms is severe and causing significant distress, consult with a veterinarian. They may be able to prescribe medication or recommend a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who can provide guidance and additional support.

Remain calm

Dogs can pick up on their owner’s emotions, so it’s important to stay calm and relaxed during a thunderstorm. Your dog may find comfort in your presence. Offer reassurance and comfort without reinforcing their fear, as this can inadvertently reinforce the anxious behavior.

Get Ready to Help Your Dog Overcome Their Fear of Thunderstorms

Overall, it is important to show kindness and patience towards your dog during a thunderstorm. By implementing these tips, you will be able to relieve your furry companion’s anxiety and help them weather the storm gracefully.

Dogs have long been considered man’s best friend, offering unwavering loyalty and companionship. However, in recent years, there has been a concerning trend of dog owners treating their furry friends more like human babies than animals. While showering love and care upon our pets is undoubtedly important, excessive coddling can inadvertently lead to behavioral issues, including aggression and anxiety. In this blog, we will explore the potential consequences of babying dogs and offer suggestions for striking the right balance between love and discipline.

The Top Consequences of Over-Coddling Your Dog

Lack of Boundaries and Expectations

When there is a lack of boundaries and clear expectations your dog may become confused and display aggressive behaviors as a result. When dogs are treated like infants, boundaries and rules can become blurred. Just as children need guidelines to thrive, dogs also require consistent training and structure to understand their place in the household. Training is a great way to communicate with your dog and set expectations clearly and concisely.

Separation Anxiety

Spoiling dogs with constant attention can create an unhealthy dependence that leads to separation anxiety. Dogs become accustomed to constant company, and when left alone, they may experience distress and exhibit destructive behavior. Gradual exposure to alone time and teaching them independence from an early age helps prevent separation anxiety. A crate is an important tool in training. Teaching them that the crate is a safe and comfortable place will help them feel secure when left alone.

Lack of Socialization

Overly coddled dogs may not receive sufficient exposure to other animals, people and new environments. This lack of socialization can cause fear, anxiety, and even aggression towards unfamiliar people or dogs. Early socialization classes, doggy day care, and controlled introductions to new experiences can help dogs develop the necessary confidence and social skills. Gradual exposure, using treats or rewards, and providing a calm and supportive environment are key elements in fostering positive interactions.

Reinforcement of Negative Emotions

Constantly comforting dogs when they display fear or anxiety may unintentionally reinforce these negative emotions. Dogs are incredibly perceptive and can interpret our actions as rewards for their anxious behavior. Instead, encouraging calmness and redirecting their attention to positive experiences helps them overcome their fears.

Sense of Entitlement

When dogs are overly pampered, they may develop a sense of entitlement and begin to guard their possessions, including food, toys, or even their owners. This can lead to aggressive behavior towards anyone who approaches their prized possessions. Establishing boundaries around resource sharing and teaching them to trust that their needs will be met appropriately can help prevent such guarding tendencies.

Finding a Balance Between Love and Discipline is Key

While it is natural to shower our beloved pets with love and affection, it is crucial to strike a balance between nurturing and providing the structure they need to thrive. Overindulging dogs with excessive coddling can inadvertently cause behavioral issues, ranging from aggression to anxiety.

Contact Off Leash K9 Maryland To Help You Find Your Balance

Finding a balance can be difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone! Our expert trainers can provide you and your pup with effective, yet compassionate training. Off Leash K9 Training Maryland offers several training programs to suit your needs.

Contact us today to learn more or call us at 443-743-3221, and let the bond with your dog be off-leash!

In the United States, 65.1 million households have a dog, and 56% of dog owners report their dogs are naughty — that’s a lot of mischievous dogs. Bad behavior can impact your bond with your dog, resulting in destroyed belongings, unhappy pets and frustrated owners.

Learning how to correct bad dog behavior starts with knowing how it began. Once you identify the cause, you can correct the symptom. Your dog’s behavior might be more common than you think, and you can resolve it with a little help.

What Are Common Behavioral Issues for Dogs?

Bad dog behavior comes in many packages, and 85% of dogs are estimated to exhibit at least one problem behavior. Some problem behaviors are a little obscure, but many are common challenges for pet owners across the country, including:

• Excessive barking and whining: Barking and whining are part of a dog’s language, but when they take it to extremes, it can be highly disruptive.
• Chewing: Dogs naturally explore their environments with their mouths. They don’t know what items are allowed in their mouths, which can lead to many damaged pairs of shoes.
• Nipping and biting: These behaviors are common in puppies and younger dogs and are often due to overexcitement. As your dog matures, however, nipping and biting can quickly become dangerous.

How to Correct Bad Dog Behavior

Understanding what bad dog behaviors mean is essential to curtailing them. We’ve compiled some of the most common bad behaviors and provided a quick overview of what the causes could be and how to fix them.

How to Stop Excessive Whining

Whining can be many things — a greeting, an appeasement or sign of submission, a sign of pain, or a plea for attention. Your first step is to determine what triggers your dog’s behavior. Take the following steps to remove whining from your dog’s vocabulary:

• Visit the vet: Take your dog to the vet for a checkup to eliminate the possibility of physical pain as a cause.
• Listen: Pay attention to the pitch and sound of your dog’s whine to see if you can identify different sounds for different things. “I want something” could sound completely different from “I’m excited to see you,” for example.
• Approach carefully: Be calm and careful if you think the whining comes from pain or anxiety. The whining can turn into snapping or aggression if your dog feels threatened.
• Stay positive: Punishing or yelling at your dog will only confuse them and worsen the behavior.
• Consider the cause: Look at the situation objectively and try to identify the trigger for the whining. If it’s you coming home from work, it could be excitement. If your dog whines when they jump off the couch, it could be pain-related.
• Meet basic needs: Whining can be a positive in some cases, like if your dog whines at the door when they need to go outside.
• Avoid encouragement: If your dog is whining because they want something, don’t encourage the habit by giving in right away. For example, if they whine for food, ask for a “sit” and reward them with the food when they quiet down.
• Start in puppyhood: A whiny puppy quickly becomes a whiny dog. Avoid relenting in the puppy phase and redirect your dog’s attention instead.

How to Stop Destructive Dog Chewing

Chewing is one of the most frustrating of all problem behaviors. Try these tips to preserve your belongings:

• Remove temptation: If you don’t want your dog to chew your slippers, close them in the cupboard. If your dog is stealing the toilet roll, close the bathroom door. Set your dog up for success.
• Give your dog appropriate toys: Any toy you give your dog should differ from household items you want to keep intact. For example, a toy shoe is a no-go.
• Up the exercise: Your dog could be chewing out of boredom, and exercise is the best cure.
• Make a trade: If you catch your dog chewing something they shouldn’t, trade with them for something appropriate until they pick up the habit.
• Change the taste: You can use several taste deterrents to make furniture and other items seem unappealing. You can also use organic home alternatives, like hot sauce or aloe vera.
• Stay positive: Yelling and punishing can cause more behavioral problems, like aggressively guarding resources. Focus on positive reinforcement.

How to Stop Your Dog From Biting

Dogs bite for many reasons, including fear, defensiveness, territoriality, hunting instinct and correction — disciplining other members of their pack. Biting is a behavior you must address immediately, and depending on the cause, getting professional help may be the kindest and safest alternative.

You can take specific steps in the meantime, including:

• Go to the vet: Biting can occur due to pain or discomfort. Eliminate these potential causes before modifying your dog’s behavior.
• Spay or neuter: Sterilizing your dog can reduce the risk of bite-related behaviors. Discuss this option with your vet during your checkup.
• Exercise and play: Reinforce the bond with your dog with calm exercise and play sessions. Avoid rough games, which can increase the risk of playful nipping.
• Go to training: Training is an effective way to establish yourself as the pack leader and teach your dog basic commands, which can diffuse a potentially volatile situation.
• Know the signs: Dogs often exhibit other behaviors before they resort to biting. Look for warning signs like growling, ears pinned back, retreating and yawning — a show of dominance.
• Substitute a toy: If your dog nips playfully, make the same trade you would for chewing and give them a toy.
• Yelp: Sometimes, communicating with dogs in their language makes a difference. Your dog may not know he is hurting you, and yelping can help them understand their limits.
• Consult a professional trainer: Don’t leave things to chance and risk a dangerous mistake. Contact your local dog training facility and explain your concerns. They will help you navigate this challenge before it becomes a severe issue.

How to Address Behavioral Issues in Dogs

Just like every dog is different, so is each problem behavior. Some behaviors require a unique approach, and a professional trainer is your most valuable asset in approaching these issues. You can also take some general steps at home to address behavioral problems:

• Set boundaries from the beginning: Be disciplined with your puppy from the outset. Stay calm and firm, never aggressive, and address issues as they happen.
• Reward good behavior: Be clear when your dog exhibits good behavior so they learn the difference between right and wrong.
• Focus on training: Positive, reward-based training is critical to tackling behavioral problems. It teaches your dog they get rewarded when they do what you ask and gives you the tools to refocus their attention.
• Get some exercise: Your dog is likely better behaved when tired, and good exercise also gives them adequate mental stimulation.
• Be consistent: If you want to remove a behavior, you must respond the same way every time it occurs. Allowing a behavior sometimes and then preventing it will only confuse your dog.
• Understand the behavior: You’ll be more successful in addressing a problem if you understand why it’s happening. Try to identify your dog’s triggers and respond calmly and positively. Never yell or resort to physical punishment.

Contact Us Today to Enroll Your Dog in One of Our Training Programs!

Lousy dog behaviors can be challenging, but with the right approach and compassionate training, you can address the root cause and take steps to restore a harmonious household. Off Leash K9 Training Maryland can help you manage bad behaviors correctly. Our compassionate, knowledgeable trainers have experience in various behavioral issues and have several training options to suit your needs, including private training sessions to give you and your dog individual attention.

Whether you have a puppy and want to instill the basics or an adult dog with a behavioral problem, we handle any age, breed and size. Contact us today to learn more, and let the bond with your dog be off-leash.

Most of us are familiar with the more common ways dogs communicate. We recognize their barks, whines and growls. However, there is much more to understanding what your dog is thinking or feeling than the sounds they make. The body language your dog displays can also be a huge help with comprehending the message they are trying to convey.

Even so, certain actions that humans think mean one thing can often mean another in dog body language. Learning the differences is easy. Discover how to read your dog’s behavior and strengthen the communication between you and your canine companion with this article.

Types of Dog Body Language Profiles

When it comes to understanding dogs, there are some key aspects of basic dog body language to remember. Here are eight basic profiles that demonstrate certain feelings dogs experience:

1. Attentive

Attentiveness is most commonly seen in a dog that has heard a new sound. A dog may also show attentiveness if they cannot identify a sound or see something move in their field of vision.

2. Anxious or Nervous

Dogs that have been caught doing something they know they shouldn’t be doing often demonstrate anxiousness or nervousness. This emotion can also be seen in dogs when they experience some sort of new stimuli they are unfamiliar with.

3. Scared

You may notice specific behaviors in a dog that feels scared, such as growling, cowering and lip licking. A dog exhibiting these actions may feel like something is threatening its safety.

4. Submissive

A dog may demonstrate submissiveness through lowering their head or putting their tail between their legs in situations where they are being stared down by another more dominant dog, animal or human.

5. Aggressive

Dogs typically show aggression when they feel threatened and are trying to make the threat go away. This behavior, such as growling, lunging and biting, is commonly seen in dogs that have poor socialization skills or have suffered abuse.

6. Excited

When your dog runs to greet you at the door after you have been gone for a while or jumps up and down when about to get their favorite treat, they are generally expressing excitement.

7. Playful

A dog that’s ready to play will demonstrate certain behaviors such as bringing you their ball for you to throw. They may also show playfulness when you bring them a new toy by playfully mouthing your hand or wagging their tail.

8. Relaxed

A relaxed dog is often a sleepy-looking dog. You can tell when your dog is relaxed by observing their comfort with their surroundings, which is shown by panting with no facial tension. Their mouth may turn upward slightly in a doggy grin.

Facial Expressions

Facial expressions can be a great method of understanding dogs. While we may think we know what actions like yawning mean, we may not truly understand it in the context of a dog’s actions. A couple common expressions include:

Yawning

We know why we yawn as humans, but what does yawning mean in dog body language? Does it really mean your furry friend is sleepy or bored? Yawning can actually be a sign that your dog is nervous, stressed or even excited. If it’s been a long day, they could just be tired and trying to relax from everything.

Dogs often use yawning to calm themselves down, which is why you’ll often see them yawning if they are excited or nervous. The next time your pooch begins to yawn, note the situation and surroundings. They could be showing you that they are excited to see their leash or favorite treat bag or to meet new people.

Yawning could also be a sign they are a bit overwhelmed. Paying attention to these instances and learning how to read dog behavior can help you make your dog feel more comfortable by identifying their needs.

Licking Their Lips

If you think your dog licks their lips to indicate hunger, you’re right. There are also other reasons why they could be licking their lips that have nothing to do with food. Much like yawning, dogs tend to lick their lips to calm themselves. If you notice your dog is licking their lips, consider what’s happening around them. If there is no food involved, they could be bothered by a situation such as having their paws handled, getting a bath or going to the veterinarian’s office.

Tail Positioning

You can learn a lot about a dog’s mood by understanding its tail positioning. Tail wagging may seem simple to us, but dogs’ tails can tell us much more.

A dog with a fast-wagging tail is an aroused dog. In most cases, the faster their tail wags, the more excited they are — like when they greet you at the door. A dog displaying long, slow, side-to-side tail wags that make their whole body wag is generally pretty relaxed. If a dog shows a fast, twitching wag, this could mean they are on high alert.

The direction of the tail can also help you understand your dog’s feelings. If your dog holds its wagging tail more to the right, this could mean they are experiencing positive feelings. A tail wagging more to the left can show your dog is feeling something negative. If your dog swings their tail around in a circle like a helicopter, they are undoubtedly happy.

With dog tail language, pay attention to the distance a dog holds their tail from the ground. Dogs that hold their tails low to the ground or tucked between their legs are likely scared or stressed. If your dog holds its tail up like a flag, it could be feeling confident or even aggressive in some cases. A relaxed dog will usually hold its tail in a neutral position.

Deciphering Body Language

By noticing your dog’s combined body language, you can better read your dog’s behavior. Paying attention to their tail and facial expressions in addition to their surroundings can help you determine if they are excited, stressed, happy or scared. Comprehending dog body language can help you create a better bond with your companion and even assist you in interacting with new dogs.

Understand Your Dog’s Behavior With Off Leash K9 Training

Off Leash K9 Training offers experienced and compassionate training for your dog. We provide one-on-one sessions with your dog to ensure they get the personalized attention they need. You can choose from various training options customized by our skilled trainers. Whether your dog needs a little help with its manners, could use some leash training or needs some guidance with socialization, we are here to help. Contact us today to see how we can help you and your canine companion.