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FEAR/ANXIETY TRAINING

Anxiety is a common issue in dogs, and it can present itself in surprising ways. Excessive chewing, barking, and digging, as well as aggression and incontinence can all be symptoms of anxiety.

Did you know that you can actually train your dog out of their fear and anxiety? With our in-home training program, you won’t need anything like dog separation anxiety medication or comfort gadgets, which will save you money in the long run. Most importantly, you’ll have a happier dog and home life.

Owners are often surprised to discover that their dog is anxious because they have a lack of structure. Things that might induce anxiety in us—like being shut in a small space, being held to the same routine every day, being told what to do all the time—can actually calm our dogs.

We have to remember that, as well as being a part of our family, dogs are also animals and pack animals at that. They’re most relaxed when there is a clear order to things and a clear leader.

Call on one of our in-home trainers to help you figure out the kind of structure that will help your dog and fit your lifestyle

FEAR

Fear may sound like a very general term. Of course fear causes anxiety. But sometimes there is no underlying reason as to why your dog is afraid of loud noises, car rides, large people, or other animals, and that’s why we’ve given fear its own category.

Sometimes dogs are afraid because they’re afraid.

Fireworks are a huge culprit in this category. Dogs don’t understand the concept of the Fourth of July and loud explosions for the sake of celebration. They see a threat.

Some dogs are afraid of large people—especially men. With their (typically) larger bodies and deeper voices, your dog will think they’re a threat.

Traveling and all of the new sights, sounds, and smells that come with it are threats.

And other animals—no matter the species—could be a threat

You can’t control all of these outside factors, but you can control your reaction to them and, in turn, the way your dog reacts to them. A Canine Trade Group trainer can help give your dog something else to focus on, and that thing is you!

Help your dog learn to look to you for guidance rather than react rashly to outside elements by signing them up for a consultation today.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Your dog can’t very well focus on you when you aren’t there. Or can they?

One of our trainers can help you create a space for your dog that will help them feel safe and secure even when you can’t be right there with them. They’ll help you organize a reliable routine and structure that will keep their mind on you, their fearless leader, and help them wait calmly and patiently for you to return.

How can something as simple as a routine help?

Let’s say you’re interested in crate training your dog. By the end of the training period, your dog will view the crate as a “den”—a safe space. A routine is essential to keeping your dog feeling calm and comfortable in their new den. Take the following scenarios into consideration.

Scenario one:

You put your dog in their crate before going to work. Every day, all week long, you come home at lunchtime to let them out. Then you come home from work and let them out for good. Your dog gains confidence in you and in the daily routine. They can relax, knowing that you will come home to them at those designated times.

Scenario two:

You put your dog in their crate before going to work. You come home five times during the day and finally let them out for good around eight o’clock at night. The next day, you come home at lunchtime and dinner time. What’s going to happen on day three? The unknown can cause anxiety in your dog.

However, you can learn how to help a dog with separation anxiety and do it in the most effective way possible. One of our trainers can get you started.

BOREDOM

Dogs need instruction. They need structure. They need something to do, or they will get bored and go nuts.

Boredom is often the core issue in cases of excessive behaviors. A bored dog will chew shoes, dig holes, lick themselves raw, and bark at every tiny noise because they don’t know what the heck to do with themselves!

One of our trainers can help you nip these behaviors in the bud by creating a training program designed especially for your dog. We’ll figure out why your dog is bored and what they need in order to feel like they’re doing their job.

Oftentimes, exercise can help. Other times, basic obedience commands work wonders. Crate training (usually with something fun to chew) can also be useful when helping dogs avoid boredom and the anxiety that comes with it.

If you leave your dog to their own devices, their internal dialogue will likely be something like “What do I do? Where do I go? I can do anything! The corner of this windowsill is delicious!”

If a CTG trainer helps you train your dog, the internal dialogue will be more like: “I know what I’m supposed to be doing! I have a job! I’m supposed to be sitting here/laying there/chewing this bone.”

Dogs don’t have the ability to occupy themselves the way we do. There’s no doggy knitting club or latest episode of Game of Bones.

It’s up to us to offer our dogs a purpose. And a Canine Trade Group trainer can show you how!

RESCUE DOGS

Rescue dogs are notorious for having issues with anxiety, with very good reason. They’ve been dropped off, forced out of their home, abused, etc. There is some reason they are a rescue dog, and whatever that reason is probably causes some anxiety.

Most owners of rescue dogs are already on the lookout for signs of stress. Some may also recognize that what their new pet needs to succeed in their forever home is structure.

However, they may not know how to provide that. Our certified in-home trainers do, and they are standing by to help your dog move on from their past and into a happy future.

 

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