TALKING WITH A TRAINER | Sept. - Oct. 2011


 What To Do About Problem Barking

Q: After I leave my apartment my dog Snickers won't stop barking. My neighbors have complained about it multiple times and I don't know what to do.  

 

A: This is most likely a case of boredom barking. When your dog is left alone a lot, it's important that he is given some exercise before you leave the apartment. You want to make sure your dog gets 20 to 30 minutes of exercise every morning before you leave. Another strategy to add after the walk is a stuffed Kong with peanut butter or cheese. A Kong can also be filled with treats and if you add water and freeze it, it will entertain your dog for longer periods of time. It takes a while for them to get the frozen treats out of the Kong. Dogs love this.  

 

Q: My dog Sadie always barks whenever I have food, whether it's dog food or my lunch. The only way I can get her to calm down is to give her a little piece of whatever she wants. How do I get her to stop?

 

A: Sadie seems to have gotten used to being rewarded for her barking. This is a case of learned barking. So we need to teach Sadie that barking will no longer get her what she wants. When Sadie starts to bark, you must ignore her. Do whatever you have to do for however long it takes; wear earplugs, walk out of the room, and wait until she voluntarily becomes quiet. Once she does stop barking, reward her with a treat or praise or both. The slightest response from the owner, such as making eye contact, touching or talking to Sadie while she is barking will only encourage more barking and it will never go away. 

 

Q: Whenever I walk Trixie she constantly barks at other dogs. Now I'm always afraid to walk her because there's always some sort of confrontation. How do I distract her from the other dogs?

 

A: When a dog is barking at another dog, this is an example of a fearful barker. Be careful you do not want your dog's fear to turn into aggression. It is important for the owner to understand that when fearful dogs bark, the problem is not the bark, it is the symptom. The problem is the dog is fearful and Trixie should not be reprimanded. When you are walking Trixie and she begins barking at another dog, turn around and walk in the opposite direction. It is too much for Trixie to be that close to another dog. Take her far enough away so that she stops barking but can see the other dog. Put her on a "sit" and start working on having Trixie focus on you with treats. Remember food overcomes fear, so reward Trixie's good behavior of not barking with treats. As she learns to keep her focus on you, slowly move her closer to other dogs while working with treats. This is a slow process that takes some time. Do not praise or touch a fear barker as this may only encourage their barking.  

 

Information provided by Jeanette Trotman from Paws Down Dog Training and Pet Services, (949) 305-2838. 

 

 


                                                       Featured Sponsor  
Surf City Surf Dog
  

Hang "20" DAWG-abunga!
  

 

Huntington Beach, aka Surf City USA, is going to the dogs, hosting the third annual Surf City Surf Dog, September 23-25. 

 

Pooches will be able to "hang 20" in surfing competitions and strut their stuff in a variety of doggone fun activities and contests throughout the three-day weekend, all while raising funds for animal welfare organizations.

 

Surf City Surf Dog entrants will compete in four weight-class divisions and will be judged on a variety of skills, including the duration of their ride and their confidence on the board. Marine conditions, such as the size of the wave, will also be taken into consideration. Prizes will be awarded to the top dogs but, of course, all pooches will be winners and will receive a participation award.

 

Dogs who prefer to keep all four paws on dry land still can strut their stuff by entering the PAWabunga Canine Costume or Owner/Dog Look-a-Like contests. The public and their pets are welcome at the two-day Hot Diggity Dog Expo, featuring more than 40 pet-related vendors and organizations.

 

Weekend schedule:

 

Friday, Sept. 23:

Shorebreak Hotel (500 PCH). Map it. 

6 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies

6:30 p.m.: Dog is Beachin' Fashion Show presented by Dog is Good

 

Saturday, Sept. 24

The Strand on 5th (5th and PCH). Map it. 

Noon - 4 p.m.: Hot Diggity Dog Expo

1-2 p.m.: PAWabunga Canine Costume and Owner Look-a-Like contests

 

Sunday, Sept. 25

Huntington Dog Beach (PCH at Goldenwest St.). Map it. 

7:30 a.m.: Surf Dog registration opens

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Hot Diggity Dog Expo

8 a.m. - 1p.m.: Surf Dog competition heats

1:30 - 4 p.m.: The Shorebreak Hotel Awards and Closing Ceremonies

 

Surf City Surf Dog

� E-mail: [email protected]

� Registration fees vary for the competitions and activities. 

� General event attendance is free and open to the public and their leashed, four-legged friends.

 
 
 

Help Me Find A Home

Meet Gretchen. 

 

She is a 5 year old German Shepherd that was rescued by Coastal German Shepherd Rescue after waiting at a local shelter to be adopted.

 

 Her care-takers tell us she is good with dogs, great on a leash and able to keep up 

with an active family.  They also report that Gretchen has amazing talents - she can catch just about anything and would probably excel at agility work. 

 

If you know of a loving home for Gretchen, please send an email to

 [email protected]

or contact

Costal German Shepherd Rescue at (714) 528-4730.

 

 

CLICKABLE  CALENDAR

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 18. 23 and 30: Oktoberfest Wiener Dog Races in Huntington Beach

 

Sept. 26: Pet Pix at Chateau le Pooch in Brea

 

Sept. 17: AFRMA Fancy Rat and Mouse Show in Riverside

 

Sept. 25: Walk for the Animals in Huntington Beach

 

Sept. 25: Samoyed Annual Picnic in Yorba Linda

 

Oct. 1: Wag 'n' Walk in Seal Beach

 

Oct. 1: Interfaith Blessing of the Animals in Long Beach

 

Oct. 1: Pugtoberfest in Costa Mesa

 

Oct. 7: The Pet Rescue Center's "Providing Shelter" Benefit in Laguna Beach

 

Oct. 9: Reptile & Amphibian Day at the Natural History Museum

 

Oct. 13: Pet Pix at Chateau le Pooch in Brea

 

Oct. 15: Choose-a-Chihuahua at Orange County Animal Care

 

Oct. 15: "Tail of Two Cities" Fundraiser in Dana Point

 

Oct. 23: Howl-0-Ween Pawty in Brea

 

Oct. 29: Halloween Pet Trick or Treat in Long Beach

 

Oct. 29: It's National Cat Day Today! 

 

Oct. 30: Howl'oween Parade and Pet Adoption Fair in Long Beach

 

 

Looking for more things to do?

Find them on

www.petsguidemagazine.com

 

Looking for things to do with kids?

Find them on

DIG-ABLE  WEB FIND
Hipster Puppies.
Do you have a funny photo of your pup? The perfect picture that needs a caption? Christopher Weingarten does.   Weingarten wrote Hipster Puppies after the success of his blog. If you want a good laugh check out this edgey, humorous book and blog.  If you have your own Hipster Pup, you can submit a photo to Weingarten's blog for your dog's fifteen minutes of fame.