Correction of Dog Behavioral Problems or Alterations

Lets explain the basic principles of reeducation, with being too specific about the treatments, which is the job of the specialist and must be given depending on the case of the dog. There are two large groups of methods: the ones that make the annoying behaviors disappear and those that have the objective of creating a pleasant behavior.

The Principle of Disappearance in dogs: In order to achieve this objective, different resources exit.

• The punishment:
  - it is usually a punctual solution. It must stop when the dog accedes to surrender;
  - it must be fair;
  - it must be applied at the right moment;
  - it most not cause any harm to the dog;
  - it must be systematic for a same screw up;
  - it must be done at the beginning of the education.
• The extinction: it suppresses a negative behavior by suppressing the cause. For example, in order to reeducate the dog that destroys the house in the absence of the owner, this will eliminate the indicating rituals (sound of keys, etc.).
• The habituation: the stimuli that originates the undesirable behavior is briefly provoked, so that the animal's reaction is the normal when even when the stimulus is given. For example, if the dog is afraid of a sound, we will reproduce the sound, but at a really low intensity at the beginning.
• The counter conditioning: this is associated with the situation that gives place to a bad conduct, a behavior that cannot be produced simultaneously to the desired conduct. An example of this is resorting to games or food in order to distract the animal's attention when this situation that unleashes the bad conduct is produced.
  If the puppy is afraid of a passing vehicle, we will play with it while the vehicle is passing by.
• The immersion: the animal puts itself in the situation that unleashes its abnormal behavior. This is the example of the hunter who shoots in order make its dog lose its fear to the sound. This method should be used with the help of a professional.

Making a Dog Behavior Appear
Another way is making a determined behavior appear in the animal:

• The reward: this method also receives the name of positive reinforcing. It consists in ignoring the unwanted behavior and rewarding the dog when it behaves correctly.
  The animal associates its owner's happiness with the right behavior and it will try to repeat it.
• The association: we place the animal next to another dog so that it imitates its behavior. The young hunting dogs are a clear example of this, which hunt next to more experienced dogs.

Conclusion: We insist on the importance of prevention, which happens in the first place when picking a breed that can live happily in the conditions of its future owner's life; then for educating the puppy having in mind its character and finally for giving it a balanced life. Yes, if after all an anomaly is presented, this will be of great help for you to be able to detect its origin. In any case, the treatment of these alterations is the job of the specialized veterinarians. General Conclusion