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We’re starting a new section on our Website this year, Behavior. Unfortunately, the most common cause for euthanasia now is due to some type of behavior problem. That’s terrible – we should be able to help you before you consider giving up on your pet. From time to time, we’ll add new mini-topics in this section – don’t hesitate to give us your suggestions.

Every Christmas we have lots of fun starting relationships with new puppies or kittens. We can tell from our first visit with you whether you’ve gotten a “lemon” or not, and we will immediately begin coaching you in things to say or do (or sometimes NOT to say or do!). The following is a look at five breeds that are often left abandoned or euthanized. Their worst offense? Their human owners never should have bought them. Ideally, people should choose the right dog to match their lifestyles.

These large dogs can exceed 130 pounds. This dog is not for everyone because they’re big, strong and can be headstrong. If they don’t have good training as puppies then they will have behavioral problems as adults. This breed (along with the Pit Bull) suffers from bad press and sometimes people feel they have no choice but to give up.

This includes any dog that resembles the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or Bull Terrier. This is easily the most vilified, even hated, dog. Ledy VanKavage, senior director at the ASPCA, calls it a “witch hunt” and even equates it to “canine racism”. If a Pit Bull runs up to a child to say “hi”, authorities are called in. If that dog is a Golden Retriever, nothing would happen. Remember, though, this is also a large, headstrong dog and some come with difficult-to-deal-with behavioral baggage.

People expect Labs to be perfectly trained, like service Labs who work with the physically or visually impaired. However, they have great drive and a very high work ethic – sometimes it’s hard to settle them down. They are certainly great dogs for a fairly active family but not for old Grandma. Sometimes peoples’ expectations are too high, and this dog finds it difficult to live up to them.

Many are less than 30 pounds but don’t let their size fool you. It’s a whole lot of dog in a little package! They’re dynamic, fast, tough and actively tell you all about it. There’s a reason they’re sometimes called terrors instead of terriers!

These dogs are the smartest of all dog breeds and their exercise requirements are measured in hours, not minutes. What does a bored Border collie do – anything it wants and most of it isn’t good in an apartment or small house! An outlet for their intensity is important or they can develop problems.

Dogs don’t discriminate when it comes to gnawing on household items. Gnawing or chewing is an innate behavior that helps dogs relieve stress, expend energy and satisfy the need for play.

Keep off-limits items out of reach and sight.
Do NOT give dogs items that are similar to items you don’t want them to chew, for example, old shoes!
Set aside time for play every day so the dog gets exercise and relieves boredom
Change toys regularly to keep playtime fun and interesting.
Use toys that stimulate active play, for example hollow toys that biscuits can be placed in or weighed balls that roll in unpredictable directions
Give the dog a safe, long-lasting chew treat once or twice a week
Arrange for a friend, neighbor or pet sitter to play with the dog to reduce anxiousness or loneliness
Redirect unwanted gnawing to acceptable behavior and then praise with a treat! When dogs like what happens as a result of a certain behavior, they will repeat the behavior.

Barking – Dogs bark for various reasons. Many dogs derive satisfaction when barking drives away the mail carrier or other intruders. Sound sensitive dogs commonly bark an alarm to every little noise. Other dogs lack stimulus from play or training (life is boring, boring) so barking becomes a fun pastime.

You must figure out the trigger for barking because not all barking issues are treated the same. For example, if your dog is “demand” barking or pushing for attention, ignore her or she’ll learn that barking works. Use the “Hush” command, using treats to distract the dog into being quiet and then reward her for that behavior. Wean her off treats as the Hush becomes reliable. Significant interactions through walks, games or toys can ward off boredom barking.

Chewing – Initially, dogs chew because they’re teething and chewing feels good to sore gums. It becomes a problem when not directed into appropriate outlets, such as bones or safe chew toys. You MUST find suitable toys (hollow toys so you can place food inside are terrific) or your dog will work out on your shoes, carpet and furniture. Stress and boredom also cause inappropriate chewing. A tired dog is a good dog. Still, nothing is foolproof – “puppy proof” your home and close supervision remain ever important.

Escaping – Persistent escaping not only places your dog in danger, but it also points to a major relationship problem. Dogs retain a pack instinct - they like to live together in well-ordered groups. When left alone for long periods, a bored, lonely dog tries escaping to find a little excitement.

Once again, interaction greatly helps in preventing this risk-filled behavior. Play, train and relax with your dog in the yard as well as in the house. Arrange for visits with a neighbor’s dog who enjoys her company. Ensuring a happy home life, combined with adequate fencing, keeps most dogs from ever attempting an escape.

Remember, your dog’s naughtiest actions do NOT happen out of spite- that’s a human emotion! Instead, they stem from lack of training, interaction or proper supervision.

If you’ve read the previous articles, you’ve probably gotten some ideas on how to sidestep major behavior problems (chewing, barking, aggression, etc). Some of these annoying behaviors can elevate into terrible psychological problems (separation anxiety with destruction of your house) and the ultimate frustration of giving away your pet or the sadness of euthanizing your pet.

Read on about Emmy – a wonderful Labrador who has become a champion in Agility and Rally-O. By keeping busy, stretching those “brain muscles” and having fun with her human, Emmy has become a true companion animal, a pet that everyone envies.

Emmy is my seven year old Labrador Retriever that competes in two canine companion sports, the first being Agility and the second is Rally-O.

Agility is the first companion sport that we were introduced to about four years ago and once we got bitten by the “agility bug”, there was no turning back. I knew the first time I tried to get Emmy over a jump or run with her, this was direction I wanted my training to go. After we trained and practiced and trained and practiced, which was approximately one year, we entered our first trial. With knees knocking and an extreme case of nerves, we ran our very first course in the Novice class. Low and behold, we qualified to receive our first leg. You need three legs to receive a Title. The classes which you strive to receive Titles for are Novice, Open and Excellent. There are additional Titles beyond the three mentioned classes that you can also obtain. With our years of dedicated training and trialing, Emmy has received all of her Novice, Open and Excellent Titles as well as her Master Agility Titles as well. I love working with my dog and she has made my job as her handler very easy. We will continue to train in Agility even when our trialing days have ended.

I began Rally not knowing what to expect or how far I would really care to go with Emmy as I never had any formal Obedience training prior to learning the Rally exercises. Rally, also known as Rally-O (Rally Obedience), is a relative new companion sport, just since 2005. It is a less formal type of Obedience in which you and your dog perform exercises designated by signs placed at various stations set up throughout a course. Once again, there are three levels for which you can receive a Title: Novice, Advanced and Excellent. Each of these levels requires three legs to obtain a Title. You may also pursue a Rally Advanced Excellent Title if you so choose. After I learned the Novice exercises, we had entered a trial and the same thing occurred at our first Rally trial. It was a three day trial, and we earned a leg a day in the Novice class and walked away with our Rally Novice Title. We couldn’t stop there! Since that time, we have earned our Advanced and Excellent Titles and are now pursuing our Rally Advanced Excellent Title.

What I have learned far more than earning Titles is how much my dog means to me and the wonderful bond that we have formed with all of the years of training that we have shared. She is my faithful and devoted companion and there are no Titles that demonstrate her unconditional love, just that special look in her eyes. There’s nothing more that Emmy wants to do than to just please me. Of course, the more treats she gets during training, the more she will please. She’s a Lab after all!