Dog Training Tips

Do you have problems with your dug lunging at passersby’s, dogs, squirrels, joggers, cars, or anything that moves? Here are some suggestions to help eliminate or minimize this behavior before it escalates into a major problem.

1. Prevent your dog from having unlimited access to your entire yard where they can engage in behaviors such as barking or lunging at people passing by. Over time, this can lead to territorial aggression. Secure your fencing so your dog can’t practice these behaviors or consider placing fencing in areas so your dog can’t see those who may walk past such as the back of your yard or around the sides of your house to better control access to both the front and back of your property.
2. Use shrubs or other landscaping to block your dog’s view of the outside world, reducing the temptation to bark or lunge and anything that comes near.
3. Ensure that guests can approach your front door without being greeted by an overly excited or potentially problematic dog. Keep in mind that some people may be afraid of dogs, even calm or small ones.
4. Never leave your dog unsupervised with an underground or electric fence. It’s a security risk, as anyone can approach, steal, or tease your dog while other dogs can also enter into your yard.
5. For dogs that jump fences, try installing an underground fence a few feet inside your existing fence, adding coyote rollers at the top of your fencing, or work with a professional trainer to address the behavior.
6. To prevent digging, staple chicken wire to the bottom of your fence and bury it a few inches underground to help stop your dog from escaping.
7. Install self-closing springs on all of your gates to ensure they always close behind you and prevent your dog from escaping accidentally.

I hope these tips help!

Sylvie

Sylvie Pleasant is a Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant. A dog lover her entire life, Sylvie become a professional dog trainer after watching her fear-aggressive corgi gain confidence to the point where she interacted with other dogs and people with joy instead of lunging and snapping at them! Sylvie studied with several of the Greater Raleigh Dog Training Club trainers both before and during teaching her own group classes. While studying at conferences nationwide, she also branched off to offer private sessions and sessions regarding aggression. Sylvie was certified in 1999 by Canine Training Inc.

An avid community supporter, Sylvie started the volunteer companion program at the SPCA of Wake County in 1992 and coordinated many facets of the volunteer force until 1996. This included training volunteer adoption counselors to educate and serve customers with selecting their new furry family member and also formed and coordinated the volunteer lost/found program. A corporate burn-out, Sylvie took the plunge and started Sylvie’s K9 Solutions Inc. in 2001 and later merged with Donnie Hult to form K9 Solutions LLC.