Aggressive behaviour towards humans or other animals
One of the most common behavioral problems seen by professional behaviorists and certainly one of the most traumatising.
The dangerous dog act states that it’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:
- in a public place
- in a private place, e.g. a neighbour’s house or garden
- in the owner’s home
Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:
- injures someone
- makes someone worried that it might injure them
- it attacks someone’s animal
- the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal
So even if your dog has not actually bitten it is possible someone could bring charges against you if they were worried that it might.
If your dog has bitten make sure you place your dog in a quiet area to calm down and do not punish. Remain as relaxed as you can and seek behavioral help.
If you are concerned about your dog’s behaviour please contact me if you live in the Channel Islands. If you live in the UK please contact a qualified clinical animal behaviourist such as an APBC member or an ASAB CCAB accredited behaviourist.
Anxious behaviour when home alone or during the night
Such as inappropriate toileting, vocalising, or destructive behaviour. Dogs are a social species and being on their own is often an anxious experience.
If you notice that your dogs face is wet due to excessive drooling, or that the bedding has been destroyed, or the carpets have been scratched up and the doorframes chewed it is likely your dog is not coping well when left. To find out more why not set up a camera to record what happens. Remember your dog will be feeling very unhappy so do not punish these behaviours and seek professional help.
Making sure your new puppy is able to cope when left is an important skill they need to learn from an early age. Research has shown that dogs suffer more than we think when home alone.
If your dog is unable to cope with being left then don’t leave them until you have sought help via your vet who will refer you onto a qualified clinical animal behaviourist such as an APBC member or an ASAB CCAB accredited behaviourist.
If you live in the Channel islands please contact me and we can discuss how to go about getting a veterinary referral.
Nervousness such as fear of loud noise and going out
…or towards unfamiliar objects and situations. Dogs are able to experience similar basic emotions to us and fear is one of those.
There are many underlying factors as to why dogs are or become fearful and it is important that we recognise what these are  so we can understand more clearly how our dogs are feeling and what we can do to help.
If your dog is refusing to go out for a walk, is bolting to get home, is startled by a sudden noise or hiding away then please contact me if you live in the Channel Islands. If you live in the UK please contact a qualified clinical animal behaviourist such as an APBC member or an ASAB CCAB accredited behaviourist.
Stealing items and not wanting to give them back
Commonly seen in young puppies and often becomes a fun game that we humans find amusing.
However, when our dogs mature this seemingly fun game may suddenly become more serious as they learn less amusing ways to guard their spoils.
If you are concerned about your dog’s behaviour please contact me if you live in the Channel Islands. If you live in the UK please contact a qualified clinical animal behaviourist such as an APBC member or an ASAB CCAB accredited behaviourist.
Toileting in the home
We all experience a few little ‘accidents‘ from time to time with our dogs and out comes the mop and bucket but what happens when it becomes more frequent?
What can we do to help understand why our dogs are toileting in places we don’t want them to? Since there are medical reasons that might cause this problem it is important that you get your dog checked out by your veterinary surgeon. Your vet can then, if needs be, refer you onto a qualified clinical animal behaviourist such as an APBC member or an ASAB CCAB accredited behaviourist.
Travel problems
Some dogs do not travel well. They might bark continuously, pant, vomit, shake, drool or attempt to escape and not want to go back into the car.
It is not a pleasant experience for either you or your dog but there are ways to change your dogs mind about how they feel towards travelling. It will take time and commitment but it’s well worth the effort.
If this describes your dog then please contact me if you live in the Channel Islands. If you live in the UK please contact a qualified clinical animal behaviourist such as an APBC member or an ASAB CCAB accredited behaviourist.
Self-mutilation and repetitive behaviour
Some dogs show persistent licking at paws or walls, chasing shadows or spinning constantly.
There might come a point when you think to yourself this is not funny anymore and I think my dog might have a problem.
If this is your dog then please contact me if you live in the Channel Islands.
If you live in the UK contact your vet who may refer you onto a qualified clinical animal behaviourist such as an APBC member or an ASAB CCAB accredited behaviourist.
Barking
Dogs bark it’s normal canine behaviour. However, it may become sociably unacceptable if they don’t stop especially at three o’clock in the morning.
Excessive barking may also indicate an underlying behavioral issue. So what can you do? Firstly it is important that you understand what your dog is trying to say and how they are feeling emotionally? Then you can try to change how they are feeling and the barking will stop as a result. So how do you do this?
If you live in the Channel Islands please contact me.
If you live in the UK contact your vet who may refer you onto a qualified clinical animal behaviourist such as an APBC member or an ASAB CCAB accredited behaviourist.