Dog Training & Behaviour Modification

By: Houndog Daycare & Daytrips

Taking on a dog as a pet is a huge responsibility and commitment.

Dogs need rules, limitations & boundaries. They also need a certain amount of training to be accepted into our society. Without this important training, dogs can become a nuisance to their owners and to the general public.

In Australia, a dog is euthanasied every 4 minutes. One of the main reasons owners surrender their dog is because of behavioural problems.

With some basic dog training, most of these behavioural problems can be solved / managed, thus bringing the whole family back to balance and harmony.

All too often, unaware owners spoil their best friend with too much affection and only limited rules, therefore creating further problems. Dogs do need affection, but more importantly, in order of importance, they need:

Exercise
Discipline
Affection

Angela O'Meara believes dog training should be a fun & rewarding exercise for you & your dog. She is a qualified dog trainer with a Certificate In Dog Behaviour & Training through the National Dog Trainers Federation of Australia. This qualification is nationally recognised and covers all aspects of dog behaviour and training.

She has owned and been around dogs all of her life, as well as regularly working with animal welfare & rescue groups. She is also a Foster Carer through Save A Pound Dog QLD which has lead her to help rehabilitate, train and adopt out less fortunate dogs for a second chance at life. Common problems she address are:

Barking
Separation Anxiety
Attention Seeking Behaviours: (Jumping On People etc)
Pulling Washing Off The Line
Mounting
Stealing
Social Issues
Aggression
Critical Period Issues
Fear Issues
Inappropriate Elimination

Angela provides an in-home Behaviour Modification & Training Service with topics covered such as:

Evolution & The Pack (from wolf to domestic dog)
Canine Communication: (The language of dogs)
Body Language of Dogs
How A Dog Learns (modes of learning)
General Rules of Dog Training
Modifying Unwanted Behaviours
Socialization / Confidence Building
Desensitisation & Sensitisation
Explaining Different Leads/Collars(halti, gentle leader, etc)
Correct Walking On A Lead / Loose Leash Walking
Clicker Training
How to Motivate Your Dog
Use of Reinforcement and Reward Training
Bridging / Marking / Luring / Targeting & Capturing Behaviour
Proofing (at different locations/surfaces. Also using distractions)
Training Modes (working, release and switching)
Animal Psychology
Diet & Nutrition (promoting optimum health, less disease & longer living dogs)
Basic First Aid

Puppy Training

For a well-adjusted puppy, early training and establishing ground rules / good manners is very important. Puppy Taining also opens up the lines of communication between owners and their dog by assisting in establishing and maintaining pack hierarchy.

Through early training & education, Angela can teach you to recognise the warning signs of inappropriate behaviour. The aim is to stop minor problems from becoming bad habits and / or major issues.

Too often, owners develop the attitude of "he'll grow out of it". Some behaviours do improve as pups mature but it is not recommended that owners use a 'wait & see' approach. Once a puppy gets away with exhibiting inappropriate behaviour, they generally continue to use these methods and the problem becomes more ingrained and difficult to treat.

Puppy Training will start your pup off on the right track and prevent bad habits and boredom from occuring. Puppy Training is a learning experience that will be with them for life. Angela can help you with:

Selecting Your Puppy (which breed etc to suit your lifestyle)
Preparing For Puppy
Puppy Socialization
House / Toilet Training
Whining / Crying Problems
Barking Problems
Destructive Behaviour (Chewing, Scratching, Digging)
Mouthing & Biting
Mounting
Diet & Nutrition

Treadmill Training

This service is great for people who have an extremely high energy dog. Angela does not not recommended treadmill training to replace a dogs daily walk. It is a tool she uses in conjunction with the dogs physical activity.

Basic Commands
Basic commands taught include: