Dog Behavior Talk - A blog by Karyn Garvin, and animal behavior specialist with over 30 years experience working with dogs and understanding dog behavior.

By Karyn Garvin, on October 6th, 2011

Recently I went to a very interesting and unusual appointment at a client’s home.  Typically when I arrive, I am carrying a 5×7 card, which my office has given me, containing the client’s information.  The notes on this particular card told me that this family had two dogs, Winchester and Malcolm, and that they were not . . . → Read More: The Evidence Did Not Add Up

By Karyn Garvin, on September 21st, 2011

Today, I went for an early morning walk with a former client of mine.  She is very dog- savvy, having owned, trained and shown a number of dogs in her lifetime.  But even with all of her experience she needed a little professional assurance.

The dog she has now is a huge, powerful, unneutered, young male Doberman . . . → Read More: It’s just a choice …

By Karyn Garvin, on September 14th, 2011

Words are indeed powerful.  One word that holds deep meaning for me is the word “Greater.”

Have you ever wondered, as I have wondered, if the life of a human being is “Greater” than the life of one of God’s creatures?

As a young child living in India, I met a man who held all animals in the . . . → Read More: The Word … “Greater”

By Karyn Garvin, on August 30th, 2011

My dearest friend, Diane Rath is in hospice at this moment and will be making her transition any day now. Diane is also the most talented artist I have ever known. She blessed my book, Dogs Do Go to Heaven with the painting for its cover.

I had the privilege of spending time with her recently as . . . → Read More: Heartfelt

By Karyn Garvin, on July 27th, 2011

Copyright © 2011 by Karyn Garvin

It is very important to do everything possible to reduce your dog’s anxiety during thunderstorms.  Dogs’ fears of thunderstorms tend to worsen with age.  By minimizing their anxiety level, you will also minimize the progression of worsening symptoms over the years.

Since no two dogs are exactly alike, calming techniques that . . . → Read More: Managing Thunderstorm Phobia

By Karyn Garvin, on May 18th, 2011

When people get a new dog, they may think: “One of the things I’m going to do with my dog is go to the dog park or take it to a dog day care.”  That could be a good idea, or maybe not.  How would you know?

The age of your dog is a good indicator. Puppies . . . → Read More: Dogs Grow Up

By Karyn Garvin, on March 30th, 2011

The story I’m about to share with you happened well over 30 years ago. It is a true story that has helped guide me throughout my career as a dog trainer.  Its message is about moving on and not dragging the past into the present.  Dragging the past into the present will oftentimes handicap us.  Being . . . → Read More: Don’t Handicap Your Pet Copyright © 2011 by Karyn Garvin

By Karyn Garvin, on January 31st, 2011

Eating Disorders in Dogs

Yesterday I learned of another story whereby one of our client’s puppies was on its way to the veterinarian for consuming non-eatable things.

PLEASE Read the following article and share it with your friends. Then read Paula’s testimony about her experience with her dog.

Thank You

Love,

Karyn

Who Said You Shouldn’t . . . → Read More: Eating Disorders in Dogs

By Karyn Garvin, on September 30th, 2010

I enjoyed hearing about your new dog. I always chuckle when I hear
about people doing their research on breeds. My mouth usually drops
open and I have a hard time not squirming in my chair when I listen to
the part about how the book said their very smart and great with whoever and  whatever.

Probably the most accurate . . . → Read More: Sharing thoughts in a letter to my uncle Ed.

By Karyn Garvin, on September 18th, 2010

Nena came in to our training facility terrified of walking her dogs out in public.  She had frightening memories from her past, and Nina was overpowered by fear.

Assessing the dogs, I could see that they were both older and gentle, which meant that they could easily be walked safely.  It was Nena’s fear that was holding . . . → Read More: Overpowered By Fear

Dogs Dig Summer Copyright©2012 by Karyn Garvin

By Karyn Garvin, on June 11th, 2012

Dogs do dig, some more than others.  No matter where you live, the summer months increase the likelihood that your canine companion will be digging.  In warmer parts of the country the digging behavior is often motivated by a need to find a cooler place to lie down outside.  In other parts of the country it may just be that the ground is no longer frozen and that your dog is outside more.

In order to have a healthy perspective on the subject let us first remember that we love our dogs because they are dogs, and that digging is an innate behavior in dogs.  A dog’s natural ability to dig allows it to perform certain rewarding tasks:

• Digging helps a dog hunt for creatures living underground.


• Digging can lead to treasures buried in the ground (for example: those black tubes we call drip systems).


• Digging creates more comfortable living conditions because the ground is always cooler a few inches down, especially near concrete foundations.


• Digging can be a way of escaping an environment.


• Digging lets a dog store something so it can be found later.


• Digging may be purely recreational.

So, what can you do?

If and when your dog’s digging is presenting you with a problem remember that fixing the blame on the dog will never fix the problem. You will feel empowered when you accept responsibility for controlling the environment and managing the behavior.

Ask yourself why your dog digs.  What reward is your dog looking for?  In spite of what you may think, I promise you that this is not just a covert means your dog has discovered as a way of irritating you.  People can be spiteful, but not dogs.

Redirecting the Behavior

• If you know that your dog is digging to find a cool comfortable place to lie down, perhaps you can create such a place.  It could be an alternate digging spot where you actually wet the ground down to encourage your dog to dig there instead.

• If you know your drip or watering system is motivating the digging then it may be helpful to change the timer, which may also reduce the temptation.

• Perhaps it’s time to create a cool comfortable place on the porch or in the shade. Hammock style dog beds keep dogs up off of hard surfaces, which is also better for their hips.

• When your dog is digging for treasures and entertainment you could purposely bury some toys or bones in an area you would prefer it to dig in.

• Burying dog stools (lots of dog poop) in areas that are unacceptable to dig in is a natural deterrent to digging for a dog.

• If you believe your dog’s digging behavior is motivated by frustration and boredom then an exercise plan and a daily routine it can count on will help.


• Leaving your dog indoors during the heat of the day could definitely reduce its motivation.

• Installing a dog door gives your dog the ability to get in out of the heat.

• Another popular solution is to remove the temptation by installing an Invisible Fence® Brand solution.  This will support you by giving your dog the freedom it needs and protecting those landscaped areas at the same time. 
  
  

• Know that this too shall pass!

And what shouldn’t you do?

• Don’t take it personally.


• Or … scold your dog in the aftermath.


• Or … let your dog watch you fill in holes that it has dug.


• Or … let your dog watch you plant flowers or bury drip systems.


• Or … let your dog watch the landscaper plant flowers or work on drip systems.


• Or … give your dog access to freshly laid sod.
  
  

Arguing with a dog’s natural instincts is arguing with Mother Nature!

 You will lose! 

 The solution is always found by showing good leadership!

You can control the environment and manage behaviors.

 

Dog Aggression & The Residential Dog Copyright©2012 by Karyn Garvin

When you go for a walk in your neighborhood, do you feel unsafe because of a dog that barks ferociously at you when you pass by its home?  As a local resident and fellow dog owner I want to share some insight with you as to why we have a growing concern with aggressive and biting dogs, not only in our own community but across the United States.

In my work as a dog behavior specialist, I see numerous cases of inappropriate dog aggression. Most dogs have some degree of natural protective instincts, and this is a good thing!  Being protective is part of a dog’s divine nature.  If it is appropriate for a dog to be protective of its home and property, then when is it too much of a good thing?

It is a rule of life is that too much of anything is not good.  The key is moderation. For people, the secret to living a fulfilled life is about balance.  Dogs need levels of moderation and balance in their lives, too.

One of my favorite stories is about a Native American Chief speaking to his grandson, teaching him about life’s lessons.  “Grandson, inside of every person there is a good wolf and a bad wolf.  The good wolf possesses those characteristics that you would think of as good qualities in a human being:  love, forgiveness, caring and sharing, integrity and honor.  All of these qualities that are good for the human spirit are what the good wolf is made of.  The bad wolf possesses other characteristics:  jealousy, anger, hatred, dishonesty and violence.  Characteristics that injure our souls.  All human beings have both a good wolf and a bad wolf inside, and throughout their lives they are going to battle.” The grandson inquired, “Well, Grandfather, which one will win?”  The grandfather replied, “Whichever one you feed the most.”

Lao Tzu was the first one to teach us to watch our thoughts.  As thoughts become our actions, our actions become our habits.  Our habits become our character.  Our character becomes our destiny.

This insight is also true for dogs.  Here we are kindred spirits.  Yes, dogs have thoughts that lead to actions, which become habits that influence their very character and can become their destiny as well.

The dog’s spirit also has a good wolf and a bad wolf.  The good wolf has all of the characteristics that we love about the dog:  intelligence, desire to please, loyalty, devotion, protectiveness, and most of all, their gift of unconditional love.  The bad wolf on the other hand has other  characteristics:  fear, anger, distrust and a willingness to injure another.  The bad wolf acts out as it rehearses aggressive behavior.

Statistically, we know that dogs on chains can have a greater propensity for biting.  This is a huge part of the reason that we have outlawed it in our community, as have many communities around the United States.

Residential dogs that behave in the same way are equally dangerous.

What is the connection to aggression and being tied up or confined all the time?  For many dogs it is the boredom factor that increases the aggression.

Some dogs, being bored and lacking freedom, begin entertaining their bad wolf selves by barking at passers by.  Here comes a person, the dog barks, “This is my territory,” and the passerby leaves.  Very rewarding for the dog!  “If I bark they leave! My barking works!”  Of course the dog will get bored with its own performance and notice that if it acted a little tougher it might scare people as well.  How fun that is!  Scare them and they leave!  “I am so tough.  I am so powerful.”  With all of this comes the adrenaline rush that makes it so rewarding.

The residential dog rehearses:  “If I could get over this fence I would bite you. There may be a glass window between us but if I could get out there I would bite you.”  The residential dog that rehearses this behavior from its home, to extreme levels (it’s the dog’s favorite form of entertainment and it does it frequently), becomes as dangerous to our community as the dog living on a chain behaving the same way.

Whatever the dog repeats becomes a habit, and habits become character, and character becomes the dog’s destiny.  Being so aggressive only increases the likelihood that the human guardian (not knowing what else to do) keeps the dog on the chain and/or the residential dog at home.  Unless someone intervenes!

Dogs That Live on Chains  &  Dogs That Live Behind Fences or Windows

Same Behavior    EQUALS     Same Result

What can you do?  Can you intervene?  Sharing this insight with people you know is a great start.  Most of our community is unaware.  People know to be wary of dogs on chains but they don’t realize that the residential dog rehearsing the same behavior is no different.

If you own one of these dogs, seek out a professional dog trainer for solutions.  We know how to put an end to feeding the bad wolf and how to start feeding the good wolf.

Finally, if you have dogs like this in your neighborhood, by all means take another route on your walk.  Most dog attacks that happen to people and people out walking their dogs are in residential neighborhoods.

You don’t want to feed the bad wolf!