Keeping Your Dog Under Control Around Guests - A Balanced Environment

When you have visitors or guests to your home, it is important for you to maintain a balanced environment - not only for your guest, but for your dog as well. Not only will your dog feel more comfortable, but your guest will appreciate that you are in control of the situation.

Typically, if a dog is aware that his or her owner does not have a situation under control, he or she will most likely try to take control. However, if the owner is respected as the "leader of the pack", then the dog will most likely trust that the situation is under control.

When a visitor arrives, there may seem to be a brief moment of chaos, and it's up to you (the leader of the pack) to restore balance in the environment before allowing the guest to enter your yard or home. You can practice "guest etiquette" with your dog by inviting a few neighbors, friends, relatives, or even some neighborhood kids to randomly knock on your door over a period of an hour or so, and going through the motions with your dog. That way when you do have actual guests, you will know exactly how to respond to your dog's instinctual behavior.

Tips:

• Try having your dog back away from the door when you let him or her out for potty or play, allowing you full control of the door. This is a key dominance area of the home, as it would seem logical in the dog world that "He who enters and exits the door first is the leader." Therefore, you should always by mindful to exit first when walking your dog as well.
• You could say "One Moment" through the door to your arriving guest, and then tell your dog to sit, lay down, and stay (if your dog is trained in these commands.) Once seated or lying down, proceed to answer the door - being mindful of your dog's willingness to remain seated.
  
• Do not allow your dog to jump on or bombard your guests. Not only will your guests notice and appreciate the respectful behavior of a well led dog, but they will feel at ease in your home knowing that you have your animals under control.
  
• If your guests feel comfortable, and your dog feels comfortable - you have succeeded in creating a balanced environment in your home, and with your pack!
  

Dog Whisperers are Springing Up Across the Country

Over the past few years, people have become more familiar with the work of Cesar Milan, the country's most famous dog whisperer. But while National Geographic has glorified the field of dog whispering and behavior modification, making it seem like a gift uniquely given to Cesar alone, people are increasingly becoming aware of local dog whisperers throughout the United States.

Most of these dog whisperers have been working in the field for many years, some with well over 20 years experience. Dog whispering, just like horse whispering, has been a form of successful form of behavior modification that involves an understanding of the specific species of animals that these people are working with.

While traditional dog training methods have long been the standard for teaching desired behaviors to dogs, dog whispering methods modify undesired behaviors in your dog. The difference between the methods are as different as night and day, but serve very different purposes.

When it comes to sit, stay, and fetch, dog trainers are usually fully qualified to teach your dog. However, when it comes to behavior problems and issues, such as aggression, fear, dominance, excessive chewing or destructive behavior, you're going to want the expert methods of a dog whisperer. In fact, you'll find that most dog trainers will avoid dealing with aggressive dogs, and encourage other dog trainers to do the same - typically for safety issues, and lack of proper understanding of how to deal with canine aggression.

If you have a dog that could use the expertise of a dog whisperer, there just might be one in your local area. NW Dog Whisperer works in the Portland/Vancouver metro area of Oregon and Washington, but there are many qualified whisperers throughout the nation.