Dogs need certain things each day. The typical list might include food, water, physical exercise, mental exercise, play, physical touch and chewing outlets. When a dog wants something, they have limited ways of communicating their needs. To a dog, jumping on a person is a logical way of getting attention. If that bechavior is rewaded and the dog will do it again. Even if they are gently pushed off of someone, this is still attention and they might seek it out again.
Examples of demand behaviors include:
- Barking
- Nipping
- Jumping
- Stealing items to initiate chase
- Repeatedly dropping a ball in someone's lap
- Pawing
Demand behaviors are often a symptom of boredom, confusion, lack of proper management strategies, or under-exercise. With my help, you can create a daily strategy to provide your dog with proper boundaries, physical and mental stimulation. A happy, calm dog has no need to exhibit repeated attention-seeking behaviors.
One key strategy for a happy, well-balanced dog is to notice the "good" things that he does. Pay attention to when he is calm, quiet, not jumping and not destroying anything and toss a treat, give verbal praise or throw his favorite toy for him to chase. Rewarding behaviors as you notice them is called "shaping" and is one of the most powerful dog training strategies. I can show you logical, effective strategies to communicate with your dog by shaping and other dog training commmunication methods.
Guilty That Your Dog is Bored?
Do you have guilt that your dog is bored or is not getting enough every day?
Let me devise a strategy for you that will result in a calm, happy dog! It is so nice to be out with your family knowing that your dog is at home happy and not bored, barking and destructive! It is so nice to have guests over and not have your dog be a jumping, pushy annoyance!
Sound good? I can help. Please let me know if I can assist you and your family with this seemingly impossible problem (it isn't impossible!).
I frequently get asked if I offer Board and Train. If you are not familiar with this type of training option, trainers will take a dog into their home (or in a kennel in the backyard) and work with the dog for a period of time each day, often for weeks at a time. They then return the dog to the family and (hopefully) spend some time explaining what their dog learned and teach the family how to communicate to their dog and continue the training that was done with the trainer. 
