Tag Archives: dog behavior

Free Answers to Canine Behavior Questions Saturday, May 18th 1 – 3PM, Santa Monica College

On hand to answer questions and offer free advice regarding dog behavior and training is Santa Monica based canine behavior specialist, Dee Green of Balanced Dogs, who's been improving relationships between dogs & humans on the Westside since 1997. Green will be joining the team at the Bark Williams booth during the Vendor Fair. Look for her "Ask the Behaviorist" banner from 1 to 3 p.m.
Posted in Puppy Behavior, Puppy Training, Rescue Dog Behvior, Socialization, dog behavior, dog body language, fearful dogs | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who’s Teaching Your Dog?

In 6 of the most formative weeks in this dog's life, the sitter by default taught the puppy to pull on the leash, refuse to cooperate when she's not getting her way, and jump on everyone she passes. These are behaviors that now have to be unlearned, because this sitter thinks puppies should be puppies (read: indulged)?
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Santa Monica Walking, on Such A Winter’s Day

If a dog refuses to go outside during inclement weather, runs away from the door, hides when it's time to go out, or freezes ("shuts down"), it's time to speak with a behavior professional. Continuing to push a puppy or adult dog to a state of extreme fright will often make it harder to do, and can negatively impact your relationship.
Posted in Puppy Behavior, Puppy Training, Rescue Dog Behvior, Socialization, dog behavior, fearful dogs | Also tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuisance Barking at Neighbors: 1st Step – Manage the Environment

A reader in Mar Vista wrote: “What can I do about a 6 month old male puppy who barks at neighbors and others he sees from our backyard? He barks constantly when he’s outside, and nothing we’ve tried has worked. We’ve been hoping he’ll grow out of it.” Dogs rarely “grow out of” nuisance barking. [...]
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You See a Crate, Your Dog Sees a Sanctuary

I can’t think of any behavior modification tool that causes my clients more consternation than the “crate.” It seems the human brain frequently equates any small, confined space with a box or a jail cell, both understandably uncomfortable images to subject your best friend to. What most people fail to realize is that crates can actually [...]
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Six Weeks to a Better Relationship with Your Dog

Research suggests it takes an average of 6 weeks for dogs and humans to convert a behavior into a habit. Six weeks of consistent practice, that is. Today is the beginning of Lent, a 6 week period in which many people seek to change or modify a behavior, in advance of the Easter holiday. Frequently, the [...]
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A Calm Start Leads to a Calm Walk with Your Dog

Today I met with a delightful adult spaniel rescue and her adoring family in Santa Monica. They’ve been struggling with increasing displays of anti-social behavior on walks when in close proximity to other dogs, delivery trucks, and postal carriers. Recently, their beloved canine companion snapped at a toddler and her mother, and that was enough [...]
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A dog is a DOG

Dog wisdom courtesy of Patrick Burns @ http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com: A dog is a DOG. Canis lupus familiaris. It is NOT a “fur baby.” It does not speak English. It speaks DOG. You cannot warn a dog about consequences, or explain to them why you are taking away their allowance. A dog does not have morality, does not believe in heaven, [...]
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Love Means Never Having to Say “I Didn’t Know.”

A friend posted the following video on twitter this morning that I found so profoundly disturbing I decided to blog about it.  Writing the headline proved so challenging, it became the story. I’m so incredibly flabbergasted by this video, it’s hard to know where to start.  In order to share it here, I needed a title, [...]
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When July 4th Stopped Being Fun

The City of Santa Monica will have its annual fireworks extravaganza this weekend.  A few years ago they moved it from the ocean front to Santa Monica College’s Cosair Field, which happens to be about 3 blocks from my house.  The awe-inspiring colors dazzle and dance just above the treetops on my street, giving me [...]
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