Dog Behavior: How to Help Your Dog Cope With Change

By Laurie Yakish

Dogs are like young children in that they often reflect and react to any changes in the home and daily routine. Some dogs can really go with the flow and it takes a major event to throw them off. Other dogs can get stressed out over something as small as a change in the dinner routine. The following is a list of common stressors:

1. Holidays

2. Redecorating or remodeling your home

3. Family members moving in or out (This is a really big deal for our military families)

4. An illness in the family

5. A family member getting a job where they are suddenly gone all day or kids going back to school

Basically anything that causes a significant change in the daily routine, family dynamic or atmosphere in the household can have a negative effect on your dog's behavior. This can result in your dog peeing or pooping in the house or chewing on things that he shouldn't do. Some dogs whine or demand more attention and some dogs become withdrawn and anxious. More insecure dogs may even bite people who don't respect their space at these times.

There are a number of simple steps that you can take to help your dog adjust to these changes with a minimum of stress. First of all, try to maintain your dog's daily routines as normally as possible. Next, provide your dog with an escape. If he is crate trained that will be a lot easier. Set up his crate in an out of the way area where your dog won't be totally isolated but will still be out of the main areas of traffic and noise.

While he is in his crate provide your dog with some good project toys, such as a Kong stuffed with kibble and peanut butter. Chew toys and bones are also good distractions. If you can get your dog out for extra walks or games of fetch the extra exercise will do wonders for both of you during times of extra stress. Also, a dog under duress will have to relieve himself more often. So, remember those extra potty walks. This is not the time to punish your dog for mistakes.

The most important thing you can do for your dog is to plan ahead for times of stress and use your intuition to help him through them. No one knows your dog better than you do. Take a deep breath and everyone will come through it just fine.

If you would like more information or help with your dog contact me at http://www.cspringstprdogtraining.com or Lyakish@netzero.net. I provide effective practical solutions for your dog's problem behaviors. Laurie Yakish, TPR Dog Training, Inc.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laurie_Yakish