Warning - 7 things not to do to fix your dog's behaviour problems....

It's sad, but one of the most emotional moments when helping people with their dog's behaviour problems is when I say.... but really, it is ok to cuddle your dog and to speak to them when you come home.... Sadly, they've been putting their dog in the 'dog house' and ignoring them, and what's probably worse - emotionally hurting themselves into the bargain because they think they're being cruel to be kind.... Thank you then for picking up the phone and finding a 'new-age behaviourist!!'

Unfortunately, a lot of behaviourists and dog trainers that are out and about in the world are following the concepts of the dark ages. They're using way outdated methods and no scientific knowledge to aim to fix problems. 

I guess it's really not all that surprising. I'm currently reading a book on the history of the study of the brain and how we got to where we are now. Even to this day, there are some brain-ologists who are discounting alot of scientific proof in their rationalisation of how emotion and the brain work.

Anyway, to get on with these 7 top tips on things not to do to fix your dog's behaviour problems.

Remember these are DO-NOT's.... not DO's

1. Do not continue putting your dog into the very situations that cause the bad behaviour. 

2. Do not eat before your dog (well, unless it happens to be handy for you)

3. Do not stop cuddling your dog (well, unless they really don't like to be touched - but we can fix that)

4. Do not yank your dog's lead to stop them pulling

5. Do not use choke chains, check chains, electric dog collars, or even spray collars. These really most often make the problem worse.

But here are the most important points.

6. Do not roll your dog over or pin them to the ground aiming to dominate them (there's more on how to fix your dogs dominance here) 

And 

7. Please do not browse around on forums, read random books, read things on web sites, search on amazon for an anti-bark collar....  and try this and that and the other. I know a lot of the information on the web is great. But you can't believe everything that's on there. (Ha ha - can you believe this either??...). Unfortunately, all the inconsistency thats freely available most often (unless you're lucky) ends  up causing more confusion for your lovely dog or puppy.

So, what to do? 

Please contact a qualified behaviourist. They'll be happy to chat and either set up an appointment to  help you with your dog - to follow a consistent, positive, psychological approach, or if that's not in your  interest at present, at least you'll be pointed towards the right books.

For help from a dog behaviourist in Scotland, from Aberdeen to Inverness and the Highlands, please contact www.PawsAbility.co.uk