Issues Need Attention

Give affection, but at the right time !!

One of the most common ways we send the wrong information to our dogs, is when we give them affection at the wrong time. "Wrong time?" you may say. Yes, there is a right and wrong time to give love to our dogs. I know it's hard to understand, and I hope that by the end of this blog you will have a better understanding of your canine friend.

Love is one of the greatest gifts we can share with our dogs. However, love will not heal an unstable dog when given at the wrong time. Love is not meant to enhance an unstable dog. Love is meant to reward stability. Give affection when your dog is calm and submissive.

Dogs can become aggressive as a result of fear or territoriality and hyper energy not released, aggression varies in degrees.

Hyperactive energy

Does your dog jump all over you when you come home? Why do you think he does this? Is it because he has spirit and is just so happy to see you because he has such a great personality?
It isn't any of those things. What's really going on is that your dog has hyperactive energy. It's not a natural state for a dog to be in, therefor it is not healthy for your dog.

As puppies they get excited and play with each other. But the excitement has a time and place. They need to calm down after play, not be in a state of hyper excitement all day long. When they jump on you it is pent up energy with no outlet. Hyper active energy can foster other issues too. Such as fixation and obsession.

When your dog jumps on you and you give him affection at that time you are rewarding a behavior that down the line will be hard to break. This is not a proper greeting. Dogs do not jump on each other as greeting. They greet by being quiet and sniffing. Using the most important organ, the nose.
This is how to greet people that come in your home. And with the owners too.

Hyper active dogs need tons of exercise ! I can not stress this enough. They need this before affection. When you come home take your dog on a walk, then when she is tired and calm give as much affection as you can muster up.  Don't encourage the crazy jumping behavior. Your dog will be fine, and still have that spirit you love. Keep your dog leashed when visitors come to your home while you are teaching her how to greet politely. Dogs are naturally curious and will always be interested when someone comes to the door. Ask your guests not to acknowledge jumping by not touching your dog or talking to her. Instruct them to just walk in past the dog jumping on you, until she calms down. When bad behavior is ignored it often calms them down quickly. Remember, exercise, exercise, exercise before affection.

Anxiety / Separation Anxiety 

Anxiety can contribute to hyperactive energy. You don't see anxiety in nature. Fear yes, anxiety no.
Anxiety can cause whimpering, whining, howling, and separation issues. It's natural for your dog to miss you, they are pack animals, But it's not natural for a dog to be shut up in a house all day long with nothing to do. His energy has nowhere to go while your gone. So he may eat your favorite shoes. It's not his fault, he has pent up energy with no release.

Most owners do not recognize symptoms of anxiety in their dogs. You may believe that anxiety separation begins when you leave the house. The reality is that it starts with unreleased energy that has been building since you woke up. Usually the owner gets up, brushes her teeth, has some coffee and breakfast. All the while your dog is in the background following you from room to room, pacing.Your dog is not showing you how much he loves you but how anxious he is. If you  leave the house for the day before your dog has had a chance to get this energy out, of course your dog will have separation issues. And may eat your shoes out of nothing else to help her get out this pent up energy.

Dog owners need to get up earlier to take care of your dogs needs first. Take her on a walk, not a short little one. This could be good for the owner too. If you can't do this, try to find help. Someone top come and take the dog out, and give her some needed release. Or put her on the treadmill while you are eating breakfast. She needs to be tired out before you leave for the day.

Make sure your dog is in a clam state of mind before you leave. Don't make a big deal of going or coming home. This will help the dog be less hyper. Only give affection when she has calmed down all the way, If you share excited energy when you come and go it only feeds an already anxious mind. Calm is the key. Calm Calm Calm is the love you share.

I will share more issues later on. Have fun with your pal.