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 Posted 3/12/2009 1:39:04 PM |
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Professional Dog Trainer
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| Hi everyone! Check back here at 7 p.m. PDT on Friday, when I'll be online answering your questions about how to socialize your dogs. In the meantime, check out some of my latest answers to your questions.
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September Morn
DogChannel’s “Ask the Trainer” expert
DOG FANCY behavior columnist
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| Posted 3/13/2009 6:56:18 PM |
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Junior Member
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I have a question. I have a 4 yr old dog who I think we did a good job socializing. BUT, when we're walking down the street we notice he cowers around certain objects like cars with covers on them, parking meters, etc.
Is this normal? Is there something we can do to get him used to these?
...BeagleBabe
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| Posted 3/13/2009 7:06:02 PM |
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Professional Dog Trainer
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Hi Beaglebabe,
Sometimes things we see as familiar objects seem weird and scary to our dogs.
One thing that often works with inanimate objects (like covered cars, scary mailboxes, lawn sculptures, etc.)
is to touch the object, like you're patting it, then let your dog smell your hand.
Dogs live in a world dominated more by smells than by sights and sounds, and so they tend to trust the
information they get from smelling something more than they'd trust their eyes or ears.
And Beagles are REALLY scent-oriented dogs!
When your dog smells the 'scary thing' on your hand, she'll be able to realize it's not something
that's going to hurt her. Plus, seeing you touch the 'scary thing' like that, she'll know you're not
scared of it yourself, and that will help her overcome her worries too.
Wags,
September
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September Morn
DogChannel’s “Ask the Trainer” expert
DOG FANCY behavior columnist
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| Posted 3/13/2009 7:16:48 PM |
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Junior Member
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Thanks! That really makes sense. We'll have to try that on our walks.
Also, we've noticed recently he's more skittish around dogs we see on our walk. he used to be fine with all dogs, cats, other animals. now, when we walk by some dogs, he gets a bit territorial and aggressive. What would you suggest? (not quite socializatio, i know)
...BeagleBabe
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| Posted 3/13/2009 7:41:09 PM |
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Junior Member
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wat about if i have an old dog who doesn't spend any time around puppies?? if i get a puppy do i have to socialize my older dog too?
I love DOXIES!!!
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| Posted 3/13/2009 7:42:03 PM |
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Professional Dog Trainer
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Hi BeagleBabe,
Sometimes dogs act aggressive when they're afraid, so I'm wondering if those dogs your dog barks at on walks
are doing something that creates some fear for him. If he's worried or afraid, his hair will stand up on his
shoulders and rump, his tail will be down (instead of up) while he's barking.
If that might be what's happening, here's a good way to help your dog get over that.
Watch his body language carefully when you're getting near the yards where those
dogs live. As soon as you see your dog getting tense at all -- BEFORE he starts acting 'aggressive',
calmly turn around and walk with him back the direction you came from.
When you go far enough, his body language will tell you he's less worried (his face will look happier, his tail
will be more relaxed, maybe wagging, he'll be looking in the direction you're walking instead of back over his
shoulder toward where the other dog is). Stop then and stand there with him for a minute. Talk to him
calmly and give him several small tasty treats.
Then start walking toward where that dog lives again. Only go a few steps, then stop and give your dog
a few more little treats. Walk a few more steps, stop, give treats. A few steps, stop, treat. Beagles usually
like to eat, so the treats will take his attention off the other dog and put it on you. If he starts worrying about the
other dog again, he'll either stop taking the treats you offer or he'll take them more roughly than usual. If that happens,
go farther away from that other dog again and start over (walk short distance, stop, give treats... repeat.)
This gradual approach, paired with yummy treats, and moving farther away if the dog starts to bark and act
aggressive again, can help most dogs get over their worries about approaching something that scares them.
The first few times you do this, you may not be able to walk all the way past the other dogs without your dog starting
to react to them. That's okay, just go as far as you can *without* going far enough that your dog starts
reacting. Next day you'll probably be able to go farther before the reaction begins.
Take it gradually. Eventually your dog will walk right past those other dogs without barking, because he'd rather
pay attention to you so he can keep getting treats.
By the way, adult Beagles can put on weight very fast if they're fed too much, so figure those treats you give
him as part of his daily ration. And use healthy treats that aren't too high in fat. That way you can use a lot of
treats in training without your dog becoming too big around. 
Wags,
September
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September Morn
DogChannel’s “Ask the Trainer” expert
DOG FANCY behavior columnist
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| Posted 3/13/2009 7:53:17 PM |
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Professional Dog Trainer
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Hi I Love Doxies,
If you have an older dog who isn't used to puppies and you get a puppy, you'll have a bit of work to do. Puppies
are very high-energy and that's annoying to most older dogs, especially if they haven't been around pups much.
You'll need to give your older dog a safe place to go to when he wants to get away from the puppy, and you'll
need to make sure the pup doesn't follow him there.
It's very normal for an adult dog to discipline a puppy who's annoying him. This usually involves snapping and
snarling and it might look pretty scary to you. Be sure the older dog isn't actually hurting the puppy, but you'll need
to let the older dog "educate" the puppy in proper dogmanners. If the puppy doesn't "obey" the older dog, you'll
need to step in and separate them. But don't get mad at your older dog if he disciplines the pup, he'll just be
doing what is natural for adult dogs to do with pups.
If you haven't picked out a puppy yet, see if you can find some puppies to introduce your older dog to first, so he
has a chance to remember what puppies act like before you actually bring one home.
If you're lucky, the puppy you choose will have stayed with his mamadog until he's at least ten or twelve weeks old.
Mamadogs do a lot of training in dogmanners with their pups between seven and fourteen weeks of age. If
the puppy you choose has had good manners training from his own mamadog, he will know to listen to what your
older dog tells him to do, and this will help your older dog like the pup better.
Good luck with your new puppy! Older dogs can often help puppies learn a lot about good manners around
both dogs and people. And adding a puppy to your family can often help an older dog become "young in
spirit" again. I hope that's the way it goes for you!
Wags,
September
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September Morn
DogChannel’s “Ask the Trainer” expert
DOG FANCY behavior columnist
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| Posted 3/14/2009 5:07:37 PM |
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Supreme Being
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Is it too late to ask a question ?
Our Dogs are not spoiled,we're just well trained 
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| Posted 3/16/2009 11:13:21 AM |
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Community Moderator
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Hi DC Forum members! Thank you for participating in the live chat. We'll keep you posted about upcoming chat topics.
FeathersNFuz
DC Community Moderator
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