IMPULSE CONTROL
Patience, patience, patience!!

A calm, cooperative canine is one who waits patiently for what he wants in life and accepts that there are things he cannot have. He settles readily and is quiet and polite when the "grown-ups are talking." He says "please" and "thank you" and is respectful of your personal space.

A cooperative canine is not bossy, demanding or impatient.
He isn't physical in expressing his needs.

 


Photo courtesy Bea Wachter

LEADERSHIP
Is your dog barking AT you, AT things he can't have or can't reach? Does he scream at the injustice of the world and its stupid rules? Does he have a melt down in the presence of exciting things? Imagine how unhappy a constantly anxious dog must be. He requires boundaries and limits. Black and white parameters. Tough love, now.

Your dog needs to learn that YOU are the conduit to all good things and that SITTING QUIETLY is how he earns everything he wants and needs. The leader also reserves the right to say "not now" and even "not ever." All things stop when he winds up. NOTHING happens when he is in a frenzy. Time out.

Demanding dogs think they should have anything they want, NOW. They will clear kitchen counter before you can stop them. Grab and run. Catch me if you can. They are frustrated and frustrating. Bottling up of stress leads to explosive behavior in one form or another. Crystal clear house rules are essential.

ARE YOU REWARDING AROUSED BEHAVIOR?
Do not acknowledge your dog's demands or allow him access to what has sent him into a frenzy. Do not allow visitors to greet your dog until his wild behavior subsides or his adrenalin high will be rewarded. If you come home from work and rush to let him out while he's a leaping looney, from his point of view it's action and consequence: the more aroused and frustrated he is, the faster you rush to let him out. He will repeat what works and that emotional state will become a habit, paired with the arrival. Being strung out will become a habit. Come in quietly, change your clothes, check the mail and when he is calm, quietly go let him out to eliminate and ONLY when he is calm get down on his level and greet him calmly. If you look at, talk to, or touch a frenzied dog, you reinforce frenzy. Is he really "calm" or just barely holding it together, ready to explode? Pay attention to non-adrenalized behavior and he will get more and more calm.

DOGS ARE A MIRROR - THEY REFLECT THE ENERGY WE GIVE THEM
If you are frantic or frustrated and speak in choppy, fast staccato or high pitched or sharp tones, if you touch your dog in quick pats and frantic scratches, you will wind him into oblivion. SLOW DOWN. Breathe in 2, 3... and ... out 2, 3. Deep sigh. Yawn. Think yoga thoughts. Speak slowly, quietly and clearly. Give commands he knows. Become one with the calm dog you want him to be. CONNECT with your dog mentally.

ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR DOG ROCKET FUEL?
Many hyper-active dogs are riding a wave of over-nutrition and preservatives. If your dog is on a too-high protein diet full of artificial colors, preservatives and sugars, it could have everything to do with his lack of coping ability. Allergies to certain ingredients can compound stress. Avoid corn - corn is a seratonin inhibitor.


No Rules - No Order

  • The more you discipline, the less you punish
  • Teach what you want to see - practice leave it, sit stay, down stay, come and eye contact and use them!
  • Relationship is a two way street - (when it's only one way, the dog demands attention on his terms)
  • Management - set your dog up to succeed, control environmental rewards, allow no practice opportunities

HE NEEDS A RELEASE
Adequate exercise is essential - seratonin levels rise - stress management raises. "But I took him for a walk!" It's not enough. He needs 20 minutes of aerobic exercise that gets his heart rate up and gets him panting. Frisbee, tennis ball, doggy day care. Teach your dog how to play - be silly - and then settle.


photo by Steve Navratil


HE NEEDS TO LEARN TO BE CALM
He needs exercise but he shouldn't be on an activity high all the time. Short bursts of heavy exercise with periods of totally calm, controlled behavior in between. Thirty-minute enforced settles daily. When and where YOU decide, not just hanging out when and where the dog chooses. Tether or stand on the leash if necessary. Down stay on an assigned bed while you attend to house chores is ideal. If he gets up, put him back. RELEASE when you are ready. This place can also be his time-out space - a place where he regains emotional control.

Puppies must learn impulse control
Visit this excellent article by Suzanne Clothier: "It Takes a Pack to Raise a Puppy"

 

Is your adolescent dog testing your patience? Don't give up!

This handout may be reprinted in its entirety for distribution free of charge and with full credit given:
© CAROL A. BYRNES "DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF" Training for Dogs & Their People -
ditr_training @ hotmail.com - http://www.diamondsintheruff.com


Back to the behavior list