Hi Mary,
Chewing and destruction can be a sign of anxiety and if it mainly happens when you are out of the house then Separation Anxiety is the likeliest cause. The action of chewing helps release a feel-good hormone into the dog’s system that is aimed at calming them down. Pacing and chewing for me is a sign of underlying anxiety and that may be caused by your dog feeling a sense of responsibility for his family. My website TheOnlineDogTrainer.com addresses this behaviour and shows you very clearly how to overcome it…maybe take a quick look…its a $1USD trial for 3 days…all the best Doggy Dan

Thanks Linda, I think so too! Doggy Dan

Thanks Sandy, I’m glad you found my Blog interesting and you now have a few techniques to try out with your dogs! Best, Doggy Dan

Have you tried just walking on by Su, and not allowing your dog to greet the other dog? Try moving off to the side of the footpath a little, shortening your leash so that your dog is walking besides you and on the side of your body that is furthest from the approaching dog. Continue walking past and you may need to prevent your dog from crossing in front of you to try and greet the other dog. You may need too use a little gentle encouragement initially but if you are consistent then your dog will learn you are the one who decides if he is allowed to greet another dog and not him. Hope that helps…best, Doggy Dan

Thanks for the wonderful feedback Elaine! It really makes my day to know that I’m helping owners understand their dogs/puppies a whole lot better, as well as providing them with the tools to help raise happy and well behaved dogs! Keep up the great work…best, Doggy Dan

Charles we have a very extensive section on my website TheOnlineDogTrainer.com that covers barking and provides techniques to overcome the behaviour…maybe take a quick look…its a $1 trial for 3 days… If you take a look at some of my previous Blogs I do have one that discusses Barking and offers some solutions and techniques that will help. The barking you describe is your dog’s way of alerting you to a potential threat, the other dog! How you respond can very quickly calm things down, provided you do so calmly and consistently. All the best Doggy Dan

Also remember that digging can be a very natural behaviour as well. Dogs will dig to find cool or warmer earth to lie in and they will dig for food. Some dogs also just dig because it’s fun to do! If Jack looks like he enjoys digging, just for the fun of it, then providing an appropriate area for him to do this can help as well. Best, Doggy Dan

Hi Deborah,
Settling into their new home and getting used to life without Mum & Siblings can be a very unsettling time for young puppies. Part of this settling in process can involve a puppy who is a little restless during the night, it’s absolutely normal. It’s also normal for young puppies to not be able to hold through the night without needing to get up and go to the toilet. At such a young age they just aren’t physically developed enough to be ale to hold on for long periods. Every puppy is different in terms of what age they can last through the night without needing the toilet so you may need to be a little patient. I do have another Blog on my website that sets up a pretty good routine for young puppies, maybe take a look at that! Best, Doggy Dan