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Claire says: Chasing small critters is exhilarating for
many dogs. The pattern can quickly develop into high
excitement every time the dog goes into the garden
because of the anticipated chase. For this reason, very little will
stop the chase desire immediately, and often training methods
are not used consistently or for long enough to have an effect.
In the short term, you must stop your dog rehearsing this
unwanted reaction. This means putting on his lead for each toilet
break. Change the routine so he has a break from the pattern
you dislike. Praise quiet behaviour in the garden at all times so
that this starts to be fairly desirable. Competing with the thrill
of chasing squirrels can be a challenge: you need to offer him
alternative activities which he adores, and use great rewards.
With a bit more control, you can move to attaching a longer
training lead for garden excursions. If he barks, give him
a ‘That’s enough’ signal, and then, if the noise continues, walk
him back inside using the lead without shouting, chasing, or
exciting him further.
Limit his opportunity to patrol the patio window,
since practising this behaviour from
inside will hinder any progress you
may make. Opaque sheeting can
be fi tted to part of the window to
help this.
Provide him with alternative
activities that he really enjoys,
and make sure that every
time he comes away from the
window or ignores something
outside, you praise him as if he has
performed a miracle.Q
I adopted a dog born in
Serbia. He is 16 months
old. Initially he was quiet,
but he has recently displayed
puppy-like behaviour with my
other dogs and everything is
going in his mouth. He tried to use
his teeth in play with my teenage
son. He gets nervous in busy areas
and nipped a lady who tried to
stroke him. I am not sure if he is
puppy-biting as he did not have
a puppy upbringing, or if it was
fear related.
What is the best way to handle
him? I am going to build up his
experience with busy places and
he is going to obedience classes.
Do I muzzle him for now?
Michaela Walker, email address.A
Steve says: Many dogs who
have come from diffi cult
circumstances will suppressbehaviours in new environments.
You are potentially dealing with an
under-socialised dog with regards to
being on-lead around people. For
a dog who may have spent his early
life roaming, it can be diffi cult to
then be restrained and exposed to
situations like you have described.
Slow down your introductions
and maintain a distance your dog
is comfortable with. Using a muzzle
might work but this needs to be
introduced properly. I would focus
on confi dence-building exercises
and learning to read his body
language, so you know when he is
struggling with a given situation.
It is vital for people’s safety, as
well as his welfare, that you do not
put him in a situation he can’t cope
with. You clearly want the best for
him and, with support, he has every
chance of overcoming his fears.From Serbia
with love
A dog’s ability to be
comfortable in busy
environments will depend
a lot on his upbringing.
TRAININGTRAININGHow do I stop my dog
barking at and chasing
cats, squirrels, and
pigeons in the garden?
Ann Carr, email address.Chasing squirrels
can be thrilling.Please don’t go!
Q
My Cocker Spaniel, Jack, has anxiety
issues. He doesn’t like people
leaving the house. At night, when my
husband and daughter go to bed, he goes
absolutely potty and is very diffi cult to calm.
He actually sleeps on the landing outside
our rooms. We have tried all kinds of things,
including sprays, but nothing seems to calm
him. Any advice?
Pat Martin, on Facebook.A
Claire says: Separation anxiety can
be linked to a range of other triggers
which elicit fear. Sometimes it is that
dogs have not learned to cope without human
contact. Other dogs are frightened because of
something that happened while they were alone
at one time, such as pain or a scary incident.
To understand the precise reasons for your
dog’s fear, it would be advisable for you to seek
a behavioural referral. These sorts of problemsare much easier to resolve the sooner help is
sought, and in most cases, the advice has to be
personalised for your exact circumstances. You
can fi nd a local qualifi ed behaviourist through
the Animal Behaviour and Training Council
website (www.abtcouncil.org.uk).
Separation anxiety itself will require
examination of the relationships with your dog
and his routine. He will need help to feel
safe when left alone, and probably
help to build up time spent alone.
Other fears will need to be
identifi ed, and help given to
reduce these fears. This may
involve the use of certain
products. You mention sprays
but it is important to understand
that, while many products can help to
support a behavioural modifi cation programme,
very few will resolve the issue by themselves.TRAININGSeparation anxiety is often linked
to fear from a past event.Your Dog November 2017 4946-49 T&B Ant+CS SWCC.indd 49 22/09/2017 13:27