Trigger 1: New Dog
The first 45 days when a dog is in a new home is the honeymoon period. This is triggered from a change in environment. Changes may range from a new place to a new owner, or other factors. During this time, the dog or puppy is at a very high stress level. The dog’s stress levels may not be apparent to the owner. The new dog’s nervous system shuts down to an extent. This is a self-preservation mechanism. If this happens, stress-reduction techniques need to be applied.
The best way to calm a dog’s nervous system is through mental stimulation. During dog training, specific techniques are taught so that you can reduce the dog’s stress. For example, long-term impulse control is where a dog has to do something over an extended period of time. Long-term impulse control provides a dog with mental stimulation.
Loose leash walking is great for relaxing a dog’s stress and is another long-term impulse control technique. Using interactive toys or devices which the dog gets its food out of, is another way.
Trigger 2: Observable Behavior Problem
A behavioral problem occurs when a puppy or dog is behaving in a negative or undesirable way. The unwanted behavior(s) motivate an owner to seek help. Examples of negative behavior range by dog and what an owner may find acceptable or not acceptable. The type of training to correct is known as behavior modification.
Based on the type of negative behavior, temperament observation may be advised.
Behavior modification is the systematic approach to changing behavior. Unlike dog obedience training, which is for training a dog to perform specific actions when asked, behavior modification looks to change a dog’s reaction to a situation (with people, other animals, etc).
Behavior modification entails modifying a dog’s behavior for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the behavior of interest. For example, getting your dog to sit faster, or getting your dog to stop growling at people as they are coming into your house.
One way to modify behavior is by using positive reinforcement. This method tends to work quickly, and is my preferred method to modify a behavior. Positive reinforcement involves offering a reward within 1.5 seconds for positive behaviors to encourage your dog to keep doing them.
