Bored, under stimulated and under exercised dogs will try and find much needed ways to expend their energy and fill their time.

Provide your dog with the regular exercise they need.  This is very important in keeping your dog healthy physically as well as emotionally. Regular exercise not only helps prevent behavior problems from developing but also aids in resolving them.  Be aware that even with access to a yard a dog may not be getting enough exercise.  Regular walks, sports and games are also great ways to bond with your dog.

Many behaviors that are problems in our homes are actually normal dog behaviors that can be redirected and more positively expressed through the use of toys, games, sports and organized activities. For example, the need to chase can be satisfied with fetch, Frisbee, or flyball. Chewing can be fulfilled with the use of chew toys, bones, Kongs and stuffed animals.  The need to search can be expressed by hiding toys around the house or yard (especially Kongs stuffed with peanut butter or liver paste as this is reminiscent of the need to search for food and your dog also has to work the food out), playing the hide and seek game with yourself or hunting and field trials. In addition to stuffed Kongs, there are also many interactive puzzle toys on the market which fulfill your dog's need to be occupied and have a job to do, particularly in your absences. When playing with your dog or in your absences, a game can be invented for every natural dog behavior, the only limit is your imagination!

Variation of the environment is very important in channeling your dog's attention and energies. In addition to regular daily walks, provide an ample variety of toys, starting with 20 toys and weekly rotating 5 toys in and out.

Regular walks, exercise, games and toys will not only help avoid behavior problems it will keep your dog at her physical and mental peak. It will also deepen and create a more harmonious relationship for you and your dog.

Grooming as a Bonding, Not Unpleasant, Activity.........The key to making naturally potentially aversive expereinces completely aversive and unpleasant for you and your dog is forcing your dog and doing to them and not with them. Doing a kamakize behind pickup of your dog and physically restraining them is not the way to go. Grooming will be aversive if you mishandle and force your dog, taking the time to get your dog used to grooming so it is not a lifelong unpleasant and upsetting experience but a calm and affection filled one is well worth it. Making grooming a natural part of daily activities is best, a great time is when your dog is relaxing with you, for instance, when you are watching tv together. Calmly showing your dog the brush or comb and very gently beginning with the head so your dog is aware of what you are doing is best -never begin grooming your dog in their rear, mid back, back legs etc but always from their head so they are not surprised and clearly know what is going on is. Best is to use long strokes from the head on down, gentle, slow strokes interspersed with petting works best and be cetain to use lots of praise. You could also provide your dog with a Kong filled with penaut butter or everlasting treatball to further reward them and give them a job to work at while grooming.

Christina offers her further behavioral advice on creating positive grooming and bathing experiences in the Sunday 1/29/12 New York Post article: "Clean slate - Bathe and beautify your dog fuss-free with expert grooming advice" http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/pets/clean_ate_hgpVyIkbbvhiK8HUlmIbVK#ixzz1ktHCoUt5

23 of Christina's Tips published in the 2010 book "The Association Of Pet Dog Trainers Top Tips from Top Trainers: 1001 Practical Tips and Techniques for Successful Dog Care and Training"

All Tips Copyright 2006-2012 Christina Shusterich, All Rights Reserved, Not to be Reprinted or Redistributed without Author's Express Permission