"I'm losing my mind!"

Puppy Love Academy gets lots of phone calls, letters and e-mail messages from dog owners about a variety of problems. And most of those communications include phrases like "He's driving me crazy!" or "I'm at my wit's end!" or "I've tried everything and nothing works!"

The BIG myth.

Well, if you're at your wit's end, you probably thought your dog would grow out of his problems. He didn't, did he? That notion is a big myth! Or, when the problem reared it's ugly head, you thought it was temporary. And, if you've tried everything, you probably didn't try the right thing long enough.

Good news.

The good news is, most problems can be solved with knowledge and effort. You need to know what is causing the problem and then, based on the cause, employ the correct solution. And if you're trying to correct the behavior and your dog is not getting the message, what you have is a failure to communicate! Every dog deserves and needs to be properly trained and training is part of problem solving. You can't communicate adequately with an untrained dog. If you can't communicate, how can you solve a problem?

Some common problems and some of the causes

Housebreaking

Housebreaking is a matter of knowing how your dogs body works and how to properly schedule both food and water. It will take seven to ten days to have your new puppy on a housebreaking schedule.

Chewing

All puppies and dogs chew when they are bored. Puppies need to be given direction. We cannot teach your puppie or dog not to chew at all, however we can teach him or her what they are allowed to chew.

Digging

Digging is natural for most dogs. It's evidence of their denning instinct and marking territory. Other reasons are temperature - it's too hot or too cold, lack of exercise, excess energy, boredom, and scents emanating from plants or beneath the ground. Some breeds are more likely to dig than others - among them are the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Fox Terrier, Dachshund, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and Doberman Pinscher.

Jumping on People

When puppies are little, many dog owners encourage jumping by giving the dog a lot of attention when the puppy greets the owner with enthusiasm and jumps on the owner with delight. The dog gets bigger and so does the problem. And what difference does size make to your dog? Dogs that jump on people can hurt them and frighten them.

Jumping on Furniture

If you let your dog sit on your lap or you allow him to sleep on your bed, don't expect him to stay off the sofa or other furniture. It's just common sense. If you can't keep your dog off the furniture, it's probably your fault. This is almost always a people problem.

Excessive Barking

Barking is not a problem. Excessive barking is, and unless you live in an isolated area and don't mind listening to repetitive, endless yapping, the problem has to be solved for the sake of you, your guests, and your neighbors. The problem may be caused by a variety of reasons like improper confinement, tethering a dog inside or out, crating - especially a hyperactive dog, loud noises like power mowers and firecrackers, lack of exercise, hunger, genetics and the temperament of the dog. Solutions depend on the cause.

Aggressive Behavior

Aggressiveness can be genetic, but remember, there is no such thing as a "bad breed." There are bad breeders. That's why it is always wise to know the reputation of the breeder and go out of your way to obtain your dog from a good one. If you are getting your dog from any other source - a pet store, shelter or private owner, remember Puppy Love Academy's personality test. Be aware that aggressive dogs may be dominant-aggressive - the dog wants to boss and bully, or fear-aggressive - the dog is anxious about someone or something. And of course, abusive human behavior can most certainly, create an aggressive dog. When aggression rears its ugly head, don't delay finding out the cause and an appropriate solution. It's wise to work with an expert who understands aggressive behavior, like Puppy Love Academy.

Running Away

It's terrible living with a dog that moves faster than a speeding bullet the minute the door opens. Before you can react, your dog is half way down the street. The good news is, your dog isn't running away. He is simply running! It's that wolf-spirit that lives in the soul of every dog, that is encouraged by a variety of things. How do you control the behavior? Proper training and common sense. Dogs that are properly trained will either seek your permission to go out the door or they will respond to the words "No" or "Stay."

Whatever your dog's problems are,
they can usually be solved with
love, praise and affection.