Sometimes you just need the problem fixed, am I right!??! we have all been there, stuck with a dog that is doing something that is just awful… and the dog trainer comes around and says:

we need more information about this behavior before we start a training plan.

(and you get frustrated … why can’t we just fix the dog you wonder to yourself)

You are not alone: super uncomfortable, frustrated, or even afraid because of a dog’s behavior. here at GHK9, we do not think that you should have to feel that way.

But we do want more information about your dog’s behavior (and yours too!) so we can really help you, not put bandaids on the situation.

We do not want to give you a cookie-cutter solution, and then leave you to feel guilty when it does not work for you and your dog.

You know how humans can display the same behavior for lots of different reasons? For example: you can yell and cry when you are:

• happy

• frightened

• worried

• frustrated

• hungry

• sad

• …?

How many times has someone else misunderstood you because the way you were expressing yourself was uncomfortable or overwhelming to them and they just jumped to conclusions about why you were (for example) yelling and crying? Like, someone told you to stop being so pushy when you were really feeling insecure? Or someone thought you were angry at them when really you were frustrated with a situation out of everyone’s control?

Dogs can engage in the same behavior for many different reasons, too.

Barking could be because of:

• excitement

• frustration

• habit

• fear

• worry

• ….?

Do you think that it may be helpful to become curious about your dog’s behavior? would it be easier for you to look at your dog’s behavior and consider solutions if you were not jumping to conclusions about the meaning behind that behavior?

Often, it really is helpful to take a step back and start by asking questions. this will help save us from making assumptions that end up wasting time and energy in our training program. are you ready? the first step is to start to make a list of the times that your dog engages in the behavior that you are having a hard time with. it sounds simple, but it can be really powerful.

A behavior diary can be simple or more detailed, depending on what we are working on and the resources you have available - but anything is helpful. check out this blog post for more on a behavior diary.

In the meantime, we strongly recommend that you avoid the things that make your dog’s problem behavior more likely to occur. this may feel frustrating for you. you may be upset that you have to put so much effort into something that does not even feel like training.

Here’s the thing: if you were crying because even though you were tired, you could not nap because the neighbors were having a loud party and I noticed that you were crying and gave you your favorite snack…. you would probably not stop crying and feeling frustrated. instead of a snack, earplugs might be the better gift. if you were crying because you felt unimportant (not because of the loud neighbors), the snack may have been a good choice though!

if a dog is barking because they are tired, playing tug will probably not help - but if the dog is barking because they are bored, playing tug may help a lot.

The first step to fixing a problem is to step back and look at the whole picture of the problem. we will be there with you, working with you to help. you are not alone.