Canine Culture: 'Stump the Trainer' Q&A – Part 3

Hello again, and welcome back for more responses in our “Stump the Trainer” series!

Today’s “theme” involves noses, doors and feet, and once again solutions include preventing, redirecting and teaching an appropriate alternative.

Q: Why does my dog snort when excited? Sounds like she's hyperventilating or something. My 2 dogs sit and bark at each other until one nips at the other. How can I stop that? Also how do I keep them from running out the door loose? Sorry I have a lot of questions! I have a 1 1/2 year old laso jackapooo and a small dog that was a stray, not sure breed or age.

A: “Snort” happens, especially among shorter-nosed breeds. Extreme exertion or excitement can trigger hyperventilation. If there is not a complicating health problem (nasal blockage), monitor her excitement levels to prevent her from getting to where she’s gasping for air! There is also a condition called reverse sneezing which is similar and not life-threatening.

Nipping – do you want it to stop because it’s hurting the other dog or bothering you? Dog’s use their mouths in play. That said, there are appropriate boundaries, and sometimes play-biting crosses the line. A dog’s behavior changes in different states of arousal – whether rooted in fear, excitement or stress. If the arousal level gets too high – even in play – the dog literally “snaps.” It is not uncommon for dogs in a multi-dog household to turn on each other when play gets too intense. It’s your job to referee and redirect as needed. You should be familiar with your dog’s play styles to recognize when it’s time for a “break” in the action.

Door dashing – A) Don’t give them the opportunity, and B) teach impulse control. Keep the door closed or your dog on leash while you practice (yes, one at a time). Go to the door; stand arm’s length away, but don’t open it until the dog sits and remains sitting. If he gets up while opening, close the door (but don’t scare or hurt her with it). When she sits, open again. Your dog WANTS to go out that door, so it shouldn’t take her long to figure out that the door won’t stay open unless she’s seated. When your dog looks to you, reward her and let her pass. Once you have mastered this individually, practice together.  

A: How do I get my shihtzu/pom puppy to quit biting my nose?? The word "no" means keep on biting to him! HELP! 

A: This is a common puppy behavior, and the easy answer is – don’t give him the opportunity! Seriously, keep him away from your face or block your nose unless you are making it a training exercise, and then be sure to reward any good behavior other than nipping. The more a dog is allowed to practice a behavior, the more ingrained it becomes. For the record, just saying “no” doesn’t give him a better alternative. Nipping your nose has become a game that is obviously very gratifying to him. We need to find something even more rewarding.

Question is, what do you want him to do with your face? If it’s kisses, put some peanut butter on your cheek. He can’t bite your nose and lick your cheek simultaneously. If he slips and can’t resist your nose, then the party’s over. If the “fun” ends and he is consistently shunned when nipping, he’ll make the connection that it’s not cool.

If you want him to lie in bed with you or chill on the sofa, try changing his focal point with a stuffed Kong. If the poor guy is teething, this could be just the “pacifier” your baby needs. Good luck!

A: My clumsy 3-year-old boxer can't seem to figure out where his feet are and keeps running into/stepping on my 8-month-old crawling baby. How do I help him to be more aware of his feet?

A: First, for your baby’s safety, I’d suggest not letting the dog off-leash in the same room when your toddler’s on the floor unless you are there to supervise. Or, you could also teach him a designated place to go – baby on the ground = quality crate/pillow time. Most boxers I know are fun, high energy dogs and could easily hurt a little person accidentally! As to your other question, many dogs are unaware of their back ends. To help him improve his coordination and build confidence, you’d be amazed at what basic obedience, tricks and agility can do! Plus it's fun!

Hope these suggestions help. We’re about halfway through our Stump the Trainer Q&A, so keep checking back! 

Ask the Trainer:  Renee Jetter, ABCTC, CPCT
Professional dog trainer; co-owner of Canine Craze Performance Center in Urbandale – an 18,000 sq-ft. dog training, daycare, boarding and events facility. Animal Behavior College, 2006 graduate.

Expertise: puppy development; positive reinforcement training; obedience; competition; agility; tricks; freestyle; scent detection; canine good citizen/therapy dog testing; Paws & Effect volunteer service dog trainer.