Nick Jones of Alpha Dog Behaviour discusses modern lifestyles, and how they impact on our dogs

Below are a few thoughts simply laid out to provoke
further thinking on this subject.

· We see an increase in dog-to-dog aggression due to a relatively insular lifestyle. I believe that a lack of 'imprinting' (socialisation) at an early age is responsible in the main.

· Separation anxiety. With less time for children due to work obligations for example, and more people channelling their emotional selves through their dogs, the dog often take the brunt of an 'overload' of emotion - leaving the dog less able to cope when left alone.

· Many dogs seem lost and without a leader. Leadership is an essential component to a well-balanced life with our dogs. With a lack of leadership comes an increase in unwanted behaviour in and out of the home. We may then see issues occurring such as: none (or poor) recall, jumping up, aggression towards people and other dogs. The list goes on

· Everything is connected. All aspects need to be addressed in a calm and balanced manner to break free from the above. It's like building a house...we need to get the foundations in first, then think about the walls, roof and decorating in that order. Also, much like a house the dog needs constant maintenance: an ongoing process of input and direction from birth to death.

Nick Jones MCFBA
Dog Behaviour Specialist and Trainer
01299 404356
nickjones@alphadogbehaviour.co.uk

Nick’s Blog

Nick Jones, a full time Dog Behavioural Specialist and Trainer wrote this article. You can visit his website at Dog Behaviour - Nick Jones Dog Behaviourist - Home Page for more articles and training information. You may freely distribute this article or save to any electronic media as long as it is left intact, including this copyright box. Please let Nick know out of courtesy where and when you publish. Email will suffice. Thank you

__________________
Nick Jones MCFBA.
Dog Behaviourist and trainer



Follow me on these social sites:

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Hi Nick

Very interesting article.

Point 2 & 3 ring true with me. I find it difficult not to mother my beagle puppy (now 4 months) and have trouble with seperation anxiety (I think it's both of us actually :-))

Puppy won't eat when we're gone, even in another room. We have a crate and have really persisted with keeping him in but he does not stop crying when in and goes crazy on letting him out. We try to ignore him until he calms down but it takes around 30 mins. It goes without saying that he won't leave our side with the fear of us leaving.

I have also noticed he is starting to ignore me more and more, which I can see could be down to lack of leadership?

Want to do the best for pup, do you have any tips?

Thanks

The joys of puppy rearing. How are things now?

__________________
Nick Jones MCFBA.
Dog Behaviourist and trainer



Follow me on these social sites:

http://www.twitter.com/ukdogtrainer
http://www.alphadogbehaviour.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/AlphaDogBehaviour

Thanks for this. Your articles are always informative.

Glad you like it. Thank you.

Gets the ol' brain going

__________________
Nick Jones MCFBA.
Dog Behaviourist and trainer



Follow me on these social sites:

http://www.twitter.com/ukdogtrainer
http://www.alphadogbehaviour.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/AlphaDogBehaviour