Dog Training vs Dog Behaviour
What is the difference between dog training and behaviour struggles, and why is this important for dog owners?
Generally speaking, where struggles are present in all but young puppies, there will be elements of both training and behaviour needs as the two elements are very closely linked.
If we think about something simple such as recall, we can see how training and behaviour struggles can co-exist.
In this blog, I show the importance of delving a little deeper into struggle to identify whether it can be addressed with a training programme or whether some form of behaviour modification is needed.
This distinction is important for when you are looking for a professional to help you. A trainer who has knowledge of both behaviour modification and training techniques will help you achieve the best outcome.
Recall
When I got Flash, my youngest puppy, I started training him to come back to me. He learned his recall easily and would come away from difficult distractions at distance. He would turn on a sixpence and fly back to me.
So far so good, training had worked well.
When he was 6 months old, everything started to change. Gradually, I noticed, he was less keen to come back. I had to repeat his recall cue and soon he was ignoring that too.
He didn’t want to hang out with me anymore, he wanted to run off and explore.
What had gone wrong?
In a word, Adolescence.
Dog adolescence affects behaviour
Hormonal and neurological changes that take place during adolescence can cause behaviour changes, this can manifest as running off after scents, increased arousal levels, and testing boundaries, among others.
Flash was no longer responding to cues which he previously understood and reacted to.
Understanding the effect of adolescence on a young dog’s behaviour is essential to ensure that the correct interventions can be put in place.
Loose Lead Walking
Let’s suppose you have trained your dog to walk nicely on the lead.
You have practiced in different environments and they really understand what you want, you have trained the skill.
You might then notice the behaviour becomes less reliable and they are pulling on the lead. The next thing you know, you’re being dragged down the street or from side to side as they lunge off to investigate different smells.
How can this change occur?
Dogs are very good at understanding routines and patterns.
If every time you and your dog go out on the lead they end up at the park, where your dog will race around with their doggy pals for an hour, and become very excited, they will start to anticipate that every time they leave the house they are on their way to the park.
This will cause their arousal (excitement) to increase.
As their arousal increases, their ability to perform loose lead walking (which requires a high level of self control) declines.
In this case, we need to address the arousal in order to bring about an improvement in the loose lead walking, rather than working solely on loose lead walking itself.
Assessment of dog behaviour
From these examples, you can see why it is very difficult, if not impossible, to give training or behaviour advice without carrying out an assessment.
The Dog Behaviour Assessment Questionnaire helps me to decide whether a struggle is predominantly training or whether there is a behaviour element which also needs to be addressed.
Sometimes, it’s really helpful to arrange a one off Assessment Session where we can meet and discuss your struggles in person.
I can advise on whether a Training Bundle or a Behaviour Consultation is most appropriate.
Not every dog has the same behaviour issue
Two dogs may present with the same difficulty, ‘recall struggles’ or ‘pulling on the lead’, but because of the context, the input they require will be different.
It is often the case, that a combination of behaviour and training techniques are needed to bring about the best results for a dog and their family.
I am always happy to discuss your issues on the telephone. Please message me to arrange a convenient time.
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Adolescence in Dogs
Adolescence is a developmental stage between puppyhood and adulthood.
There are no hard and fast rules about when adolescence happens, timing varies between breeds and individuals; it can begin from around 5 to 7 months and last until 2 to 3 years of age.
What happens when a dog reaches adolescence?
There is no doubt that adolescence can be a testing time, this blog discusses the changes that you might see during this period and how you can best manage the challenges that crop up.
As your puppy grows up, and everything begins to settle, early unwanted behaviours such as puppy biting and toileting accidents in the house reduce, your puppy is settling better and you are getting a regular night’s sleep.
Your puppy will know their name, will be able to come back when called, and walk on a lead.
You can be forgiven for thinking you have got everything under control.
Not so fast, there’s a new challenge on the horizon - adolescence.
What is adolescence in dogs?
Adolescence is a period of transition from puppyhood into adulthood, much like we see during the teenage years in people.
An entirely different set of struggles can surface in our dogs at this time, the surge in hormones which occurs during adolescence can cause changes in our young dog’s body, brain and behaviour.
An adolescent dog may become more independent and rebellious, and may start testing rules and boundaries.
You may notice they start to challenge you by ignoring commands that they previously responded to perfectly.
My experience with dog adolescence
Adolescence is something I have seen with my own dog, Flash, who is now 8 months old.
In the house, he tries to rush through doors without waiting for his release word, he jumps up on the kitchen counter and likes to pick up shoes and run away with them.
Outside, his recall, which was rock solid as apuppy, has all but disappeared.
Not only that, when we’re out, at any opportunity, he bolts for the hills.
He isn’t being naughty, he is going through adolescence and as a working lines springer spaniel, his desire to hunt and explore has kicked in.
What does dog adolescence look like?
Behaviours you might notice in your dog as they reach adolescence:
Chewing furniture, carpets, skirting boards, anything they can get hold of.
They might jump up on the furniture, even if they know this is out of bounds.
Their behaviour around other dogs and situations may change, even if they have been great up until now, they may become fearful or boisterous, or both.
They may become more aloof and independent, preferring to spend time alone rather than with their owner.
In addition to ignoring the owner, adolescent dogs can sometimes show increased responsiveness and attachment (relationship) to others.
If you have any experience of human teenagers, you may recognise some of the behaviours described here! They may prefer going off visiting other people and dogs when on walks.
While these challenges can be frustrating and demoralizing, it’s important to remember this is a phase and part of normal maturation.
What can you do about dog adolescence?
The best advice is to continue to provide clear expectations and boundaries and focus on your relationship with your dog.
For example, if your young dog has become very boisterous, and has, for example, started jumping up, you will need to be very clear that this is not acceptable; you will need to be consistent and address the behaviour every time it occurs.
If your dog gets away with any unwanted behaviour, they will do more of it.
If recall has become a struggle, use a long line to keep your dog safe whilst you work on rebuilding your dog’s desire to come back.
Think about your house rules and boundaries, all household members will need to agree on what is OK for your dog to do so you are all saying the same thing.
Adolescent dogs need firm, consistent guidance so they are clear on what behaviours are acceptable otherwise they will be confused. In addition, if they get away with ‘bad behaviour’ they will keep doing it!
Dog adolescence needs exercise
Adolescent dogs need more exercise than younger dogs.
Find out what your dog enjoys and incorporate it into your walks.
It’s a good idea to provide both mental stimulation and physical exercise.
This will strengthen your relationship and increase your dog’s desire to stay with you, making them less likely to want to leave you and seek out other dogs on walks.
Regular exercise will help your adolescent dog burn off excess energy, this combined with developing self control, will help them stay calm indoors.
Dog adolescence and socialisation
Continue to offer opportunities for your dog to socialise just as you did when they were a puppy; expose them to a variety of sights and sounds and environments, and if there is something they seem concerned about, look for opportunities to gradually familiarise them with it.
Give them opportunities to interact safely with other dogs and people.
If they seem to be getting too boisterous or worried, take them out of the situation.
Encourage them to play with you so their preference will be to choose you over other dogs or people when you’re out and about.
Adolescence is a phase of great change for your young dog and for you
During this period, it pays to be patient and understanding and remember that your adolescent dog is still learning and growing, and making mistakes is part of the process.
With patience, love, and consistency, your adolescent dog will pass through this period and will emerge a well-adjusted family member.
If you are concerned with your adolescent dog’s behaviour or you are unsure how to handle it, reach out for some help and support contact us.
Preventing Separation Anxiety and Struggles with your Puppy
It’s a good idea to train your puppy to get used to spending time alone as soon as you can.
Using a dog crate or puppy pen
Using a crate or puppy pen to help your pup settle away from you and will help grow independence.
Whilst puppy is safely in the crate or pen you can go about your normal activities.
Puppy will get used to you coming and going and will be quite comfortable when you are not present.
Your puppy should be contented
It is important that puppy learns to be content when they are awake in the crate or pen.
You can help with this by giving them a chew to keep them occupied.
Having some background noise, like a radio or TV, and covering the crate can also be helpful.
Once puppy is used to seeing you come and go in the house and is comfortable on their own, you leaving the home to go out will be a natural extension and should not cause worry.
Toilet training your puppy
Puppies don’t know about toilet training - we have to show them what we want.
How to toilet train your puppy
The good news is that if you go all in on toilet training you can, in most cases, achieve really good results in 3 weeks.
Remember that very young puppies may not have the neurological ability to control their bladder and bowel until about 12 weeks.
I’m not suggesting that we leave toilet training until then, it just might help understand why some puppies take a little longer to get the idea.
It’s also worth knowing, that in some cases, smaller dogs can take longer to be fully house trained.
What do I have to do to toilet train my puppy?
Probably the single most important factor in achieving a pup who is toilet trained in a short space of time, is for the owner to be really vigilant.
The goal is that our puppy will alert us to when they need to go to the toilet, but to start with, we need to be very observant and offer the pup the opportunity to toilet frequently.
A toilet break is needed after any change of activity, for example, after eating or drinking, after play, and when the pup wakes up from sleeping.
Aside from these times, you might notice little signs that they need to toilet, such as sniffing, spinning and agitation.
When puppy needs to toilet
It is my preference to take my puppy outside in the garden to toilet; I choose a specific area where they can sniff and toilet comfortably.
This is a calm interaction, we don’t want to make it exciting because this will distract the pup from what they need to do.
Likewise, if your pup is running around and playing, it might be good idea to put them on a lead, so they are less distracted.
I add in a verbal cue, I say ‘quickly, quickly’, adding a cue can be really useful later on.
Once they toilet, I reward calmly with a small treat and verbal praise. I wait a few moments before taking pup back inside.
Some clever pups will realise that if you take them straight back inside after toileting, their exploration ends and this may lead them to delay toileting!
Consider where your puppy is when they need to toilet
It’s important to consider where your pup is in the house, as this relates to their activity and the amount of supervision they need and will ultimately effect their success.
If your pup spends time in a crate, they will not need much supervision - they are unlikely to toilet in the crate -you will just need to take pup out after eating or drinking and when they wake from sleeping.
If they are in a puppy pen, they will need more supervision as they have more room to move around and therefore more choice in what they do - they are more likely to toilet in a pen than in a crate.
If the pup has free range in a room or larger part of the house, they will need close supervision as they have more choice about where to go and what to do.
Puppy toilet accidents will happen
There will be accidents, the best thing to do is to soak up the puddle with disposable towels and clean the area with an enzyme cleaner to remove all traces, otherwise the pup is likely to return to the area and soil there again.
There is no benefit to getting upset about accidents, the pup did not do it to upset you, they are not being naughty, they are learning, and with your guidance they will soon be fully toilet trained.
Are you a new or first time puppy owner?
Ginny was my first puppy. She came to us at 11 weeks old. I had wanted a boxer for years, she was literally a dream come true!
I had read up online about what to expect and what equipment I needed. I bought food, a crate and some toys, but I was clueless! I certainly wasn’t prepared for the feelings I had when she arrived. which weren’t dissimilar to how I felt when bringing home a new baby!
Puppy Blues
I didn’t know it at the time but ‘Puppy Blues’ is a thing.
During the initial weeks, it can feel as if your life has been turned upside down, there’s extra mess to deal with, puppy crying and possibly difficulty settling.
Then there’s anxiety about whether you’re doing things right, depleted physical and emotional energy which can lead to overwhelm.
Add sleep deprivation into the mix and it’s not surprising that some new puppy owners regret getting the puppy.
What to do when you get a new puppy
Hiring a trainer for support during this period, can be a real help, and our Puppy Training Bundle package (2 sessions) is ideal for new puppy owners.
The first session can take place before your puppy comes home, if you wish, and can help with things like setting up the environment and choosing equipment.
If you have no experience of having a puppy this will give you an opportunity to ask questions so that you are better prepared for your new arrival.
If you prefer, the first session can be soon after your puppy comes home.
The second session is usually 2 weeks after the first.
Hopefully by this time, you will be feeling more confident; however, your puppy will be growing and changing, with new challenges to consider.
