Out of Control Dog
Is There One in Your House?

Do you have an out of control dog if your dog sits, stays, comes, or heals; but then goes ballistic when the doorbell rings?

If you have a dog who rarely comes when you call, gets in the trash or takes food off your table and runs (while gulping) when you try to get the food back, do you have an out of control dog?

In both cases, the answer is yes. The fundamental issue is that you are not your dog's leader or you are not being your dog's leader consistently. Either way, there is work to be done and here are a few tips that work really well, especially if you have a food oriented canine.

Dog Behavior Help with "Cookie!"

My out of control dog problem was dog barking. Like the song "Pit Bull Blues" lyrics say, "The shear sound of my barking can break through arctic ice." So imagine this multiplied by five. My canine companions being a supportive bunch will always join in for a good barking party.

Aside from frazzling my nerves, I could imagine how horrible it was to be my neighbor.

When we moved to our current house I knew I had to put an end to this barking fiasco and that's when the cookie idea was born. I don't care if you call it dog training dog behavior help or dog bribery. This works to avoid an out of control dog.

I have to admit I was inspired by the Dog Whisperer. Cesar always talks about changing the dog's focus. I'm glad I've read three of his books.

So here is what I do.

Whenever I'm going to give my dogs a treat, I say the word "Cookie". It doesn't matter if its a carrot, a cucumber or a homemade dog biscuit. I've done this since they were little. Originally I'd say "Do you want a cookie?" When dog behavior modification started, I shortened it to "Cookie".

When a dog would go on a barking binge, I'd holler "Cookie". The dog would stop barking and come get it. With my two toughest cases, that took some doing. I started by going all the way out in the yard where they were barking and waving a smelly treat under their noses while saying "Cookie". It took awhile but they got the message. And they taught me I got a quicker response if I said the magic word BEFORE they got caught up in that unwanted behavior. Thereafter, I'd say "Cookie" when I heard the first bark or saw a tail raise or back fur bristle.

The Importance of Consistency

Consistency is paramount. Plus I found it was impossible to change any bad dog behavior working with several dogs at the same time who had the same dog behavior issues.

Once I chose to work with one at a time we made real progress. I started by letting each dog outside alone for one hour. Every single time there was a 'boof' 'bark' or 'growl' I was out of my computer chair saying "cookie" and heading for the kitchen.

After a year, I had the problem licked. A year may sound like a long time but it was worth it. It changed my life. My dogs were between the ages of two and nine when I started, so it proves you can always teach an old dog new tricks, it just may take a little longer.

Every dog is different. One of my dogs (Moo) doesn't even bark outdoors unless he's with another dog who is barking. Now that he understands I don't accept the behavior he'll nudge another who starts and head back in the house on his own.

Bonz, our eldest, rarely barks at people, dogs or cats, but is still occasionally challenged by squirrels. If not reminded that barking is unacceptable, it can escalate to a point where he tries to climb the tree after them.

Lily would still prefer to bark at everything she hears outdoors but will often turn herself around and prance right back in the house often without a word from me.

Helen, who was my worst barker, still has to be reminded. She comes pretty quickly but the look on her face is that I have absolutely destroyed all her fun. Sometimes I wonder if she enjoyed being an out of control dog.

Lulu LOVES barking. I swear she barks just to hear herself and to get exercise. I can be sitting here next to the open door with her six feet away. She'll see something, look at me and then run off the porch barking away for about 5 seconds, then race back to me and sit (as if I'm going to give her a cookie for THAT!)

Dog Behavior Help with "Leave It"

Now here is one that doesn't have you bouncing up and down all day. I found "Leave It" on another website and I loved it. As soon as I read it I thought, "What a great idea to avoid having an out of control dog! Why didn't I think of this myself?" But I didn't and I don't want to take the credit away from Sandy Mesmer who has been been breeding Silky Terriers for thirty years and has a website about small dogs. So go ahead and click on About Small Dogs - Leave It. It will take you directly to that page in a new window. Just close the window when you are finished on her site and you'll be right back here with me.

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