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Dogs + Behavior & Training

  • Following certain steps and offering rewards and praise instead of reprimands will put a positive spin on a dreaded task. This will help make nail trimming a more pleasant experience for both you and your dog. If all else fails, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for further help.

  • Deafness does not affect a dog's learning abilities, but it does impact what kinds of cues they can learn. Two keys to success are choosing a set of consistent signals and learning what the dog finds rewarding. Deaf dogs need special supervision such as leashing and safe fencing and may startle more easily than dogs that can hear, but otherwise can be trained with all the same methods used for a dog with normal hearing.

  • "Drop it" is an important life skill for dogs. Playing fetch can be more fun when your dog releases the toy for you to toss. A "drop it" cue can be a life-saver if your dog ever gets hold of something that could hurt him. "Drop it" can be easily trained using positive-reinforcement methods.

  • Teething in puppies lasts from about 3 to 6 weeks of age and again from 12 to 24 weeks of age. Safe chew toys are an important source of energy release, but if puppies are not stimulated sufficiently, or supervised carefully, they will chew elsewhere. Occasionally, retained baby teeth or other dental abnormalities can occur that need to be addressed by your veterinarian. It is important to get your puppy used to having their mouth manipulated for exams and teeth brushing.

  • The Tibetan Mastiff has been a guardian for centuries, and she remains territorial, independent, and strong willed. While devoted and gentle to her family, her sheer size can topple a youngster.

  • The Tibetan Spaniel is a lovely dog, both charming and fascinating. The Tibetan Spaniel has the intriguing quality of being a quiet dog - until, that is, he discovers someone with whom he's not familiar. This small breed's beauty lies in his full-size confidence.

  • The adaptable, affable Tibetan Terrier is a great choice for the dog owner whose idea of exercise is a walk around the block. Although the long coat can be challenging to care for, it is well worth the effort when admirers stop during a stroll to ooh and ahh over this dog.

  • Toy Fox Terriers love to curl up in a lap, but can be up and running when a bird flies by the window. They're curious, always wanting to know what's going on and to be part of the action.

  • Teaching a dog to come when called is perhaps the most important behavior we ever teach. You can train a reliable recall using positive reinforcement and it can be incorporated into daily play time. Puppies should be set up to succeed by having training challenges, such as distractions, added gradually. Until a recall is reliable, puppies should be held on leash when they are not in a secure, fenced area.

  • Treatment of thunderstorm phobias and fear of noises such as fireworks usually begins with a behavior modification technique known as systematic desensitization and counterconditioning. Many dogs also benefit from anxiolytic medication.