COMMON PROBLEMS
Behavioral issues in dogs will present in many different forms and will typically range from harmless but annoying issues, such as barking and house-training problems, to moderate issues such as jumping up and pulling on the leash, to more severe and potentially dangerous issues, such as reactivity, resource guarding, biting, and aggression.
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EVALUATION
Our pet dogs can develop behavioral issues due to a variety of different reasons and determining the root cause of the behavior(s) is the key to treatment. This process begins at the initial evaluation and consultation where we get a history, set treatment goals, create a treatment plan, and start a training program for you and your pet dog(s).
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TREATMENT
Once we have identified what's going on, the root cause of the problematic behavior(s), we can design a positive treatment plan to help redirect or even extinguish the behavior(s) altogether. Remember that every dog is different, and every problem is different when it comes to specific treatment and length of treatment time.
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Helping Pet Dogs and Their Families Live, Love and Thrive Together
Our canine partners have been devoted members of the human family for tens of thousands of years, and have never left our side. We are two entirely different species that have mutually decided to grow and evolve together and in doing so, humans have made canines full members of our “family” groups since the very beginning of time. I feel dogs are an integral part of a complete human experience, and they are in my opinion, the most loyal, loving and devoted partners that we ever have in our lifetimes. For these and many other reasons, I have decided to devote my life to dogs and their family units, in order to make their time and experience together as meaningful and as positive as possible. [wpi_designer_button id=1748]
Helpful Tips For Important Canine Issues
Recognizing and Diffusing Aggression
When dogs are displaying playful, play-fighting or rowdy, romping behavior, it is a wonderful experience for them and is needed to keep good socialization skills and mental health. But, as with children playing, laughing can quickly lead to crying or fighting. When growling starts to sound firm, guttural and threatening, whenever top teeth are shown, whenever a dog
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The Importance Of Mental Stimulation
Getting proper mental stimulation is an extremely important activity for all dogs, as they are highly intelligent, curious animals that can get bored easily when they are not doing something. Many dog breeds need a “job” to do and for these “working” dog breeds especially, they need lots of mental as well as physical stimulation.
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Dealing With Canine Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can be a serious problem in pet dogs that are left alone for even a short period of time and especially in those that are left for long periods of time. The good news is that in most cases, we can successfully treat separation anxiety and get your dog back to a healthier mindset and behaviors when being left alone.
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A Quick Happiness Check-Up For Your Pal
Dogs convey how they are feeling through their body language in much the same way humans do, you just have to know how to read it. Most of the time it is obvious, especially when they are happy and well-adjusted. A happy dog will show its happiness very visibly and clearly, it will exhibit:
- A wagging tail
- Open mouth, smile - tongue hanging out
- Soft or bright eyes
- Ears up or relaxed and set back
- Relaxed, upright posture
- Loose body
But when a dog is feeling uncomfortable, stressed or otherwise unhappy, it will also show this very clearly in its body language. A stressed or unhappy dog will exhibit:
- Stiff, hanging or tucked tail
- Closed mouth, no smile or tongue
- Fixed stare, hard, eyes
- Averted gaze
- Ears flat
- Shrinking or cringing back
- Tense body
If your pal is showing signs of being unhappy for any extended period of time and you can not clearly identify the cause of the problem, it is a good idea to try and get a handle on it as soon as possible. Please give me a call and I will be glad to help you identify the cause and develop a treatment plan to get your best friend wagging its tail again.
.... Making a Difference, One Dog at a Time
Since July, 2014 I have volunteered at the Alachua County Humane Society and more recently the Alachua County Animal Services, working with their un-adoptable rescue dogs. It has been the most amazing experience of my life. I have been able to help many of these stressed out, often untrained, fearful, sometimes aggressive dogs, overcome their behavioral problems and become adoptable, and watched them go on to the have a life they otherwise would not have had.
Shelter Success Stories....
Boone
Boone was so fearful, he would just cower in the corner of his kennel and growl when anyone approached. He was totally un-adoptable, had been in the shelter for 6 months and his time unfortunately was up. I advocated and got him moved to a less crowded shelter and worked with him for about a week. Two weeks later, Boonie-Boy was adopted!
Shelby
Shelby would non-stop jump, mouth and nip all over anyone that tried to take her out, these were the only behaviors she knew. She was totally un-adoptable and her future did not look good. I worked with her for about three weeks and a few weeks later, Shelby-girl was adopted!
Please Volunteer and Always Rescue!
If you love dogs, do yourself a favor and go volunteer at a shelter, any shelter! If you are considering getting a dog - PLEASE ALWAYS RESCUE!!!
ADOPTIONS: 352.373.5855
THRIFT STORE: 352.373.9522
SPAY/NEUTER: 352.376.6647
ALACHUA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES / 352-264-6870
HELP! My Dog Has Suddenly Changed!
Any time you see a sudden change in your dog's personality or behavior, such as growling or nipping in a dog that never did this, or behaviors like whining, pacing, or any unusual behavior(s) your first step should be to take it to a veterinarian to be examined. Any time you have a sudden-onset of any strange or worrisome behavior in a previously normally-behaving dog, it is a red-flag to go see the vet, as there may be an underlying medical cause of the problem.
Sudden Growling, Nipping or Biting
Dogs in pain will typically try to hide the fact that they are in pain, but when touched on or anywhere near the painful area, they may become reactive and snap or even bite to protect it. If your dog has suddenly become irritable, moody, withdrawn or snaps, nips or bites, these are sure signs for a trip to the vet - before you call me. When a dog has an injured limb, they will limp or favor it and you can clearly see they are in pain and where it hurts.
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Professional Memberships I am very proud to be a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), the Complimentary Medical Association (CMA) and am an authorized Mentor Trainer for Animal Behavior College (ABC). I am completing my membership in the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). | |
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| NORTH FLORIDA K9 BEHAVIOR CENTER |
NORTH FLORIDA K9 BEHAVIOR CENTER |