Dog Articles by Denver's Humane Society
Aggression in Puppies Younger than 18 months
Puppy NippingWhen puppies play with each other, they use their mouths. Therefore, puppies usually want to bite or mouth hands during play or when being petted.
Developmental Stages of Puppy Behavior
Although feeding time is important, it's also vital to include petting, talking and playing, in order to build good "people-skills."
An aversive is something that your dog finds unpleasant. It can be used to discourage her from a particular action or place.
Many behavior problems in dogs are the result of boredom or excess energy. Toys offer mental and physical stimulation and enrichment.
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem.
Aggression in Dogs 18 Months and Older
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Understanding Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
The word aggression can refer to a range of behaviors from barking and growling, snarling and snapping, to biting and attacking. Threats of aggression are one way dogs have of communicating and are often displayed as a means of avoiding outright aggression.
Keeping Your Dog Confined To Your Property
We recommend that you keep your dog indoors, unless you're present to supervise his time outside.
Positive Reinforcement: Training with Treats And Praise
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior.
A head halter is a special kind of collar with a strap that goes around your dog's nose and another strap that goes around his neck, just behind his ears.
Dogs may display a variety of behaviors when they are afraid. A frightened dog may try to escape, may show submissive behaviors, or he may freeze and remain immobile.
Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food bowl or toys from you? "Nothing in life is free" can help.
The Benefits of an Educated Dog
When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
Why Dogs Bite: a Guideline for Children
Knowing why dogs bite and what to do to keep yourself safe is important.
Children and Dogs: Important Information for Parents
Living with a dog can be beneficial to children. However, children and dogs may not always automatically start off with a wonderful relationship.
Introducing Your New Dog to Your Resident Dog
Animals that live in groups, like dogs, establish a social structure within the group called a dominance hierarchy.
Canine rivalry refers to conflicts between dogs living in the same household. Animals that live in social groups establish a social structure within that group.
The Barking Dog
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Barking DogsSome canine behavior problems, such as housesoiling, affect only a dog's owners. However, problems such as escaping and excessive barking can result in neighborhood disputes and violations of animal control ordinances.
Positive Reinforcement: Training with Treats And Praise
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior.
Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food bowl or toys from you? "Nothing in life is free" can help.
Inside or Out? - Making Your Dog Part of the Family
At the Dumb Friends League, we believe that dogs of all sizes are happier, healthier and safer when they can be indoors with their people the majority of the time.
An aversive is something that your dog finds unpleasant. It can be used to discourage her from a particular action or place.
Many behavior problems in dogs are the result of boredom or excess energy. Toys offer mental and physical stimulation and enrichment.
The Benefits of an Educated Dog
When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem.
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they're left alone. Typically, they'll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them.
Destruction
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Destructive ChewingIt is normal for dogs to explore the world with their mouths. However, chewing can be directed onto appropriate items so your dog is not destroying items you value.
Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs, but may occur for widely varying reasons.
Developmental Stages of Puppy Behavior
Although feeding time is important, it's also vital to include petting, talking and playing, in order to help your puppy build good "people-skills."
Positive Reinforcement: Training with Treats And Praise
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior.
Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food bowl or toys from you? "Nothing in life is free" can help.
An aversive is something that your dog finds unpleasant. It can be used to discourage her from a particular action or place.
Many behavior problems in dogs are the result of boredom or excess energy. Toys offer mental and physical stimulation and enrichment.
Crate training your dog may take some time and effort, but can be useful in a variety of situations.
The Benefits of an Educated Dog
When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem.
Dealing with Normal Puppy Behavior: Chewing
Puppies may be just as much work as human babies -- maybe more so because puppies can't wear diapers and they have very sharp teeth!
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they're left alone. Typically, they'll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them.
Eating Disorders
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Unusual Eating Habits In Dogs And Cats
Dogs and cats will sometimes eat socks, rocks or other objects, which may result in a variety of problems for both you and your pet.
Positive Reinforcement: Training with Treats And Praise
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior.
Dogs may display a variety of behaviors when they are afraid. A frightened dog may try to escape, may show submissive behaviors, or he may freeze and remain immobile.
Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food bowl or toys from you? "Nothing in life is free" can help.
The Benefits of an Educated Dog
When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
Escaping
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The Canine Escape ArtistEscaping is a serious problem for both you and your dog, as it can have tragic consequences.
Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs, but may occur for widely varying reasons.
Keeping Your Dog Confined To Your Property
We recommend that you keep your dog indoors, unless you're present to supervise his time outside.
Positive Reinforcement: Training with Treats And Praise
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior.
Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food bowl or toys from you? "Nothing in life is free" can help.
Inside or Out? - Making Your Dog Part of the Family
At the Dumb Friends League, we believe that dogs of all sizes are happier, healthier and safer when they can be indoors with their people the majority of the time.
An aversive is something that your dog finds unpleasant. It can be used to discourage her from a particular action or place.
The Benefits of an Educated Dog
When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem.
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they're left alone. Typically, they'll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them.
Fearful Behavior
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Helping Your Dog Overcome the Fear of Thunder and other Startling Noises
It is not uncommon for dogs to be frightened of thunder, firecrackers or other loud sounds.
Understanding Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
The word aggression can refer to a range of behaviors from barking and growling, snarling and snapping, to biting and attacking. Threats of aggression are one way dogs have of communicating and are often displayed as a means of avoiding outright aggression.
Positive Reinforcement: Training with Treats And Praise
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior.
Dogs may display a variety of behaviors when they are afraid. A frightened dog may try to escape, may show submissive behaviors, or he may freeze and remain immobile.
Submissive and Excitement Urination
Submissive urination occurs when a dog feels threatened.
Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food bowl or toys from you? "Nothing in life is free" can help.
The Benefits of an Educated Dog
When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
Why Dogs Bite: a Guideline for Children
Knowing why dogs bite and what to do to keep yourself safe is important.
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem.
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they're left alone. Typically, they'll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them.
House Soiling
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Re-Housetraining Your Adult Dog
Many adult dogs adopted from animal shelters were housetrained in their previous homes.
Housetraining a puppy requires time, vigilance, patience and commitment.
Submissive and Excitement Urination
Submissive urination occurs when a dog feels threatened.
Territorial Marking Behavior in Dogs and Cats
Dogs and cats are territorial animals. This means that they "stake out a claim" to a particular space, area or object.
Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food bowl or toys from you? "Nothing in life is free" can help.
Successful Cleaning to Remove Pet Odors and Stains
Has your pet left "scent marks" of urination and/or defecation on your floor or furniture?
An aversive is something that your dog finds unpleasant. It can be used to discourage her from a particular action or place.
Crate training your dog may take some time and effort, but can be useful in a variety of situations.
The Benefits of an Educated Dog
When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem.
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they're left alone. Typically, they'll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them.
Puppy Issues
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Puppy NippingWhen puppies play with each other, they use their mouths. Therefore, puppies usually want to bite or "mouth" hands during play or when being petted.
Housetraining a puppy requires time, vigilance, patience and commitment.
Developmental Stages of Puppy Behavior
Although feeding time is important, it's also vital to include petting, talking and playing, in order to help your puppy build good "people-skills."
Positive Reinforcement: Training with Treats And Praise
Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior.
Submissive and Excitement Urination
Submissive urination occurs when a dog feels threatened.
Inside or Out? - Making Your Dog Part of the Family
At the Dumb Friends League, we believe that dogs of all sizes are happier, healthier and safer when they can be indoors with their people the majority of the time.
An aversive is something that your dog finds unpleasant. It can be used to discourage her from a particular action or place.
Many behavior problems in dogs are the result of boredom or excess energy. Toys offer mental and physical stimulation and enrichment.
Crate training your dog may take some time and effort, but can be useful in a variety of situations.
The Benefits of an Educated Dog
When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
Why Dogs Bite: a Guideline for Children
Knowing why dogs bite and what to do to keep yourself safe is important.
A training tether is a temporary management tool that can be used to prevent behavior problems or assist in resolving an existing problem.
Dealing with Normal Puppy Behavior: Chewing
Puppies may be just as much work as human babies -- maybe more so because puppies can't wear diapers and they have very sharp teeth!
Children and Dogs: Important Information for Parents
Living with a dog can be beneficial to children. However, children and dogs may not always automatically start off with a wonderful relationship.
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit behavior problems when they're left alone. Typically, they'll have a dramatic anxiety response within a short time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave them.
A list of all recommended dog training products. Sold via Amazon.com (prices are cheap!).
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Some excellent articles written by the Denver Humane Society. Covers everything from aggression to separation anxiety.
More excellent articles, these written by the United States Humane Society.