Check out: Basic Training Tips: Speak Less and Carry High Value Treats!

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Photo by Lori Horwedel

About the Thundershirt – Why We Like It:

* A Drug-Free Approach To Dealing With Anxious Behaviors:
The practice of using pressure to relieve stress has been practiced on humans for many years. Some Autistic individuals find pressure to be calming and there are many other forms of anxiety reducing therapies that center around pressure. However, many veterinarians aren’t aware of the benefits of these types of practices on their animal patients, so they automatically prescribe medications – when there may be alternatives!

* It’s Easy To Use:
In our experiences, the Thundershirt required little to no conditioning to get our dogs comfortable with wearing it. It’s easy to put on, machine washable and shrinks back into shape if it gets streched out. Most importantly, it worked – read on to find out about our experiences.

* They Stand Behind Their Product: The makers of the Thundershirt are so confident you’ll be happy with their product that if for any reason the Thundershirt isn’t the right solution for your dog you can return the wrap within 45 days for a full refund of your purchase price.

Reef’s Experience Wearing The Thundershirt:
When we knew a storm was brewing, we started conditioning Reef to wearing the Thundershirt and reinforcing the process of dressing her with treats. As a dog that doesn’t mind wearing coats (she gets cold easily with her very short bully fur!), she was extremely relaxed with the whole process as there was no thunder involved yet. As the storm neared, I gave each dog a bully stick to (hopefully) keep them distracted. Under normal circumstances, Reef wouldn’t touch a chew during a storm, as she’d be too busy alerting us of the “impending danger.” However, I noticed a distinct change in her temperament while she was wearing the Thundershirt and she was happily chewing her stick as the storm rolled in and the thunder started. At one point I left the room to eat lunch and returned to find her curled up sleeping in her bed – I was truly amazed. I kept the shirt on for the remainder of the storm and then placed it in her supply cabinet for easy access whenever we (or our petsitter) needs it.

About Keely:
Keely is an unusually high-anxiety dog. Even on a good day, there’s a lot of anxious licking, wiggling, and pacing.

Keely’s Experience Wearing The Thundershirt:

Wednesday night: put Thundershirt on Keely. Keely dances in circles because she loves clothing. Bart (her Pit Bull companion) tries to remove Thundershirt by gnawing on it. Thundershirt immediately removed from view. Dogs do zoomies for 20 minutes.

Thursday afternoon:
Thundershirt is re-applied, dogs are walked to park for hangout session. Keely pulls maybe a little less than usual on the way to the park. (If she even suspects we’re heading to a park, she drags me the whole way. Long leads, water bottles, and books are all a dead giveaway. She was certain we were heading there, so this is totally normal behaviour.) We give the dogs the length of their leads and let them do their thing. Keely is fairly nonreactive to the goings-on around her; she watches “the friends of Barkan Park” garden, she eats grass. She is way better than usual–less concerned about her surroundings. We head home, remove Thundershirt. Keely immediately snaps at one of the cats. Instant anxiety? I don’t know.

Saturday afternoon: Keely will not stop licking Bart. Thundershirt applied. She immediately flopped down and fell asleep. Success!

Final Thoughts On Keely’s Experience:
Around the house, the Thundershirt seems to work very well. In situations where she’s more stimulated, the effect is less noticeable, but I do think it helps. Our park trip was slightly more relaxing than usual — Keely was able to relax and stop looking for other dogs, kids, and small animals and just do her thing. Granted, had another dog come along, all bets probably would have been off, but dogs only passed the park, none came in. She watched them pass and wiggled a little, which was a great response. She also wiggled at the people working on the gardens in the park, but stopped paying attention once she decided they weren’t going to visit her.

Final Barks:
After our “paws on” tests, I’ve started recommending the Thundershirt to some of my more anxious training clients and many of them have been thrilled with the results. It’s a safe, holistic way owners can support their animals well-being and help alleviate stress without the use of drugs. There are so many situations where dogs could use this “security blanket” – traveling, house guests, separation issues, barking problems and coming up soon – Fourth of July FIREWORKS.

Here’s a link to their homepage where you can find more information and ordering info.

Photo by pkingDesign

Photo by the dark end of the street

This same concept carries over to the theory of positive reinforcement in canines. When owners spend so much time and energy trying to catch their dog’s in the act of doing something negative in order to correct it, they waste many precious moments when they could be rewarding positive behavior. For example, if your puppy is having issues chewing on inappropriate objects – redirect his attention to a chew toy and reward. Then when you find him chewing on his toys happily on his own, calmly drop a treat and let him continue the process. Positive association with actions you want to encourage is the best way to insure these are repeated.

Much like children, dogs will make the most out of the attention you give them – if you choose to spend all of your energy scolding them for their negative behaviors, it could easily backfire and draw unwanted notice to these habits.

Thank you.

Answer:
No matter how well-trained a dog is, it still may bite to protect itself if it feels threatened. It sounds like your dogs have been tolerant so far, if the situation continues to escalate, your grandson will be bitten sooner rather than later. While a bite might teach the toddler not to invade dogs’ personal space and provoke them, it’s obviously not the best way to convey that lesson! It sounds like everyone in the household–regardless of species–needs some training in order to make sure that your grandsons are safe around your dogs.

The first step for now should be to prohibit the youngest grandson from interacting with the dogs except with close supervision, such as petting a dog gently while being held on a parent or grandparent’s lap to prevent him from pushing or slapping the dog. If the other grandsons are also interacting with the dogs in an unsafe way, they too should have their “dog privileges” revoked for the time being. Baby gates can be used to keep kids and dogs in separate rooms to enforce this rule while you work on a more permanent solution.

Next, work on bite inhibition with your dogs. Sit with them and encourage them to lick and mouth your hands. If their teeth hurt you even the slightest bit, yell, “OUCH!” in a high-pitched voice and leave the room. Come back after a few minutes and try the game again. As long as they are licking and putting their mouths on your hands gently, they continue to receive attention; if their teeth press down on human skin, you yelp and leave the room. Soon your dogs should learn that their mouths must always be gentle with humans. This won’t prevent them from instinctively biting if hurt or provoked, but it might save the person bitten from being seriously injured.

Before allowing the children and dogs to interact again, you and your daughter will need to be on the same page as far as enforcing ground rules. Make sure that your rules are simple, consistent and easy to understand. It might be best to teach the toddler that he is only allowed to touch the dogs by stroking them gently on their backs in the direction of their hair. If he touches the dogs in any other way, he should be immediately lifted and carried to a time-out spot. Over time he can be taught to play with the dogs in other safe ways and can even learn to give simple commands like “sit.” But until you’re sure he is past the pushy phase with the dogs, your youngest grandson should always be supervised with them and should be limited only to the very safest activities.

If the grandson slips up and one of your dogs does growl, the first priority is to remove the grandson from the situation and place him in time-out. If both you and your daughter are present, one of you should take the toddler away while the other gently walks the dog to a quiet room and shuts it in for its own time-out. There’s no reason to punish or shout at a dog for growling when it has every reason to feel threatened, but it is important to convey the message that a growling dog won’t be welcome to play with its human family. Isolation for only about 90 seconds in a dark, quiet room should get that across nicely without escalating the dog’s fear and stress level. However, if only one person is present when growling happens, that person should focus on the child. Giving the dog a time out or any punishment will be ineffective if even a few seconds pass between the growling and your reaction.

Finally, if you are working on modifying the children and dogs’ behavior but growling and nipping continue to occur, please hire an Animal Behaviorist to help your family. It’s much more pleasant to spend money on dog training than on hospital bills for a child!

Stuffed Kongs:
Rubber Kong toys are tough (they make model for chewers of all ages and strengths – from puppies to seniors ) and are a staple of every dog’s toy box. You can stuff the empty space in the Kong with almost anything – from wedging biscuits to peanut butter to layering your dog’s kibble and then adding canned sweet potato on top! For an extra challenge, you can freeze the items inside the toy into a Kong-cicle! If you’re going to use liquidity ingredients, plug the smaller, bottom hole with a piece of kibble or treat that fills it. Make sure to place your stuffed Kong in a mug or in a bowl before placing it in the freezer to prevent any leakage! Here are some of our favorite stuffed Kong recipes.

Photo by mrsLiz

Treat Dispensing Puzzle Toys:
There are so many treat dispensing toys out there, we can’t even begin to talk about all of them! The right toys of this type will provide challenge, but won’t leave your dog frustrated. Make sure to choose a toy that is providing your dog food rewards on a regular basis, but holds his or her interest. Some of the best treat dispensing toys have adjustable skill levels. You can see Sophie, one of our “dogs on staff”, demoing the Dog Tornado puzzle toy.

Teach A New Command Or Work On Old Ones:
It’s never too late to teach your dog a new command or trick and it’s especially wise to brush up on obedience commands! Many owners let training slack after puppy training is done, instead take these days to work with your dog on some rusty cues. If you don’t know where to start, check our training articles! Make it fun and work for short periods at a time. If tricks are your bag, there are always new and imaginative ones to teach your canine! Check YouTube videos for positive training methods on how to teach your dog to do almost anything!

Hide and Seek:
Just what it sounds like – the canine version of this classic game involves the help of a partner that will hold your dog on leash while you go hide somewhere in the house. Once you are hidden, your call to your dog will be your friends cue to release the hound! Then, depending on your dog’s skill, keep calling – or not – as your dog uses her nose to find you!

Stuffed Toy Fetch:
Most owners generally don’t want to throw hard balls inside the house, but if you have a long hallway or a clear room, stuffed toy fetch can be a great way to release some of that pent up energy!

Give Your Dog A Spa Treatment:
If your dog likes being bathed, brushed and generally pampered – use your time inside to give him some TLC. Many dogs find the repetitive steps of grooming to be soothing and if you’d like to take things a step further, why not give your pup a massage? Here’s some tips to get you started!

Photo by JackieBudgell

Chew Time:
Dogs need to chew, but they should always be watched while they are enjoying their bones and hides. There are many types of chews out there, so do some research before you give anything to your dog! Personally, we like bullysticks and antlerz.

Play Tug:
The game of tug has gotten a bad rap – there is nothing wrong with playing this game with a dog that follows the rules that you make! Click here to learn how to play tug safely with your dog!

Photo by gervo1865_2 – LJ Gervasoni

Road Trip!:
If your dog loves the car, maybe it’s time for a road trip to a local pet-friendly store, or even just a stop at a drive-through cafe! The mental stimulation of the ride often tuckers out even the most active of dogs!

Puppy Play Date:
If you’ve been stuck inside for days, chances are your friends that own dogs have been as well! Maybe it’s time you invite one of them over for a play date. If your dogs play nicely, it might be the solution to both of your problems! Just make sure you remove anything you wouldn’t want knocked over in the ruckus!

Check out: How To Teach Your Dog To Greet Guests

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Coren collected data from over 200 obedience judges and came up with his list of the smartest breeds:

1. Border Collie
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retrievers
5. Doberman Pinscher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever

In order to compare canine intellect to that of humans, Coren created a modified version of the MacArthur Bates Communicative Developmental Inventories Test, which is used to measure language ability in children.

Here’s how scientists adjusted the arithmetic test (originally designed for children) for canines:

The dogs watched as a treat and then a second treat are lowered down behind a screen. Then the screen is lifted, and the dogs, if they understand the mathematical concept, will be awaiting 2 treats.

In these studies scientists also try removing one of the treats, or adding on an extra, so the math doesn’t add up. Coren says, “Now we’re giving him the wrong equation which is 1+1=1, or 1+1=3. The dog acts surprised and stares at it for a longer period of time, just like a human kid would.”

Coren also referenced a study we wrote about a while back where dogs knew if they were being treated unfairly. One dog received a treat for “giving paw” and the other does not. The dog who does not receive treats eventually stops preforming the trick.

Photo by Arjan van Tuijl

Primitive breeds, like Afghan Hounds and Basenjis tend to score lower on these types of tests. However any fancier of these breeds will definitely tell you their dogs are not dumb, but most likely describe them as independent and stubborn.

The final outcome? The average dog is capable of learning about 165 words and counting to 4 or 5. Breeds with a higher intellect (like the 7 named above) can learn up to 250 words and can preform basic arithmetic problems.

What’s my take on all of this? I know my dogs are pretty smart – and I’ve never met a house trained 2 year old!

Territorial Aggression:
The territorial aggressive dog believes that the house, yard, etc is *his* and reacts in an aggressive manner when stranger approaches their area. Think of the stereotypical mailman vs dog scenario and you have a perfect example of a territorially aggressive dog. A dog with this issue will react in a hostile manner towards strangers who approach “their area”, even if that stranger is a friendly one.

Photo by EddieB55

Idiopathic Aggression:
Idiopathic aggression is one of the hardest types to deal with as it means there is no known underlying cause for the outbursts. It can happen out of the blue and the triggers are unknown.

Maternal Aggression:
Some mother dogs have a change in temperament as they are preparing to give birth and while raising their pups. This is natures way of ensuring the survival of their young, however most reputable breeders will not breed overly protective mothers again. A proper amount of care should be taken when dealing with a new mother. Respect her litter and her space.

Pain Induced Aggression:
If your dog has an underlying illness you are unaware of, ranging from arthritis to a toothache, they may suddenly begin to lash out aggressively. If your dog experiences a sudden personality change, a trip to the vet should be your first appointment.

Photo by Skid X

Prey Driven Aggression:
Dogs with prey driven aggression will usually go after moving objects – from skateboards to squirrels. While some amount of prey drive is normal in all canines, it’s when a dog attempts to attack the object that it becomes a serious problem.

Misdirected Aggression:
If you have the misfortune of being in the middle of a dog fight and make a valiant attempt to break it up, you may very well become a victim of Misdirected aggression. The dogs involved are too entrenched in the scuffle to understand that you have their best interest in mind and it may result in them turning and biting you out of pure adrenaline.

Food Guarding Aggression:
If your dog guards his treats, food, bones or even displays aggression when human food is around, Food Guarding aggression may be the root of your problem. Often this behavior starts when dogs are very young. If it is addressed during puppy hood, the problem can often be solved. However, if allowed to progress it will only worsen

Photo by Jan Tik

Punishment Induced Aggression:
If a dog has been punished harshly in the past using physical means, often there will come a time when he will have had enough and will lash out at the person who has caused him pain (or the hand that is coming at him too fast). This is a problem created by owners who don’t understand the proper way to train and discipline a dog and it will take lots of time and a well versed trainer to help undo the damage.

Dominance Aggression:
The overly dominant dog thinks that he is boss, and the dominant aggressive dog will act out when things don’t always go his way. These dogs usually express aggressive mannerisms (barking, growling, etc) towards their families. Attempting to get these dogs to submit (a la “The Dog Whisperer”) is a sure way to get yourself bitten. Seek a professionals help right away if you find yourself living with a dog who thinks that he is the master of your domain!

Inter-dog Aggression:
Inter-dog aggression is usually (but not always) a power struggle between dogs of the same sex. Owners who keep 2 males (or more) or 2 females (or more) can actually exacerbate these issues by coddling the submissive dog and giving it more attention. In households, fights can break out over toys, attention or sleeping spaces.

Fear Aggression:
Fear aggressive dogs can often give off signals that will make you think they are in need of comfort – they cower, shake and react in an insecure manner to the world around them. These dogs were often under socialized as puppies, badly bred or isolated during impressionable periods. Fear biters may lash out whenever they are frightened. A fear aggressive dog can be set off by loud sounds, being cornered or anything that causes the dog to feel threatened.

If your dog has an aggression problem, seeking professional advice should be your first step. In the meantime, make sure to keep your dog safely confined while in and out of your home. It is your responsibility to control your dog and make sure that people and other animals remain safe.