Amber’s two dogs, one bigger and the other smaller, have started attacking each other when barking at the gate. How can she stop this destructive behaviour without compromising her security? Continue Reading

My mail box is always full of complaints about barking dogs from neighbours…. on both sides of the fence.And I can understand why folks get so hot under their collars, because incessant barking often  results  in sleep deprivation which can lead to all sorts of medical problems like high blood pressure, heart attacks and  nervous breakdowns …which in turn lead to job loses, poverty and  starvation. Also synonymous with unyielding yapping is rage - sometimes with terminal results at the end of a barrel as sadly occurred awhile back. So barking dogs are not only a menace, but threatening our very lives as well.  Continue Reading

Brendan’s two German Shepherds are giving him trouble by barking at dogs on the street who are out for a walk with their owners. How can he stop this territorial behaviour? Continue Reading

Heres a cautionary tale of why too much exercise worsens bad behaviour in dogs and creates a cycle of hyperactivity:

Wiz the Border Collie was in big trouble for his bad behaviour.
“I can’t keep him if he’s like this,” said Matt, his owner, “You see my wife says he goes or I do!” … tears welled, “But he’s my mate and I’ll do anything to get him right.”
Wiz never heard a word because he was too busy spinning and barking hysterically at the monkeys which had come to raid my kitchen - and when they left to break into the house next door, Wiz was so into Hip-hop-howl, Rap ‘n Yap mode, he hadn’t noticed them leave so Matt ‘took charge’ and the game was really on …  the more he screamed, “No!” the more Wiz heard, “Go!”
“See what I mean!” yelled Matt, “And our garden looks like a meteor site because he never rests!” Continue Reading

It seems owners of disruptive pets are usually unaware of the disharmony caused by their animals. And dogs must top this list of the most troublesome species. The most common canine problem seems to be incessant barking at night and keeping the neighbourhood awake. Coming in a close second has to be incessant barking during the day while owners are work which is just as unsettling, especially for shift workers or those studying or working from home. Dogs also cause life threatening hazards by running onto public roads, for whatever reason, and biting innocent people there, attacking other dogs and causing vehicle accidents. Continue Reading

Sarah is battling with a newly adopted Labrador that is attacking her older Staffie dog. The Lab is also constantly barking and this is disturbing the neighbours. What can she do to alleviate the situation? Continue Reading

Do you have a hyperactive dog? “Yes, he tears around all day, destroying my home and garden and barking at everything that moves … he jumps up on everyone, nips the kids and knocks them over, scratches the car and is completely out of control!.”
And what have you done about it?
“Well, we exercise him every day to get rid of his excess energy, jog him about 30 kilometers a week and throw the ball till he drops.”
And how is that working for you?
“Well actually he seems to be getting worse because now he has started chasing his tail as well!”Ah… well thats the problem. Heres how to cure your hyperactive dog… Continue Reading

The Pikes were a delightful family - Mom, Dad, Helen and Bailey the problem child … a   lovable Old English sheepdog who’d just had a No. 4 haircut. But Bailey had a really bad habit  … he just loved to hear his own voice barking which drowned any conversation in his presence. As a tiny pup in England, the Pikes had sought help for him but to no avail, because he had just got progressively worse over the last 8 years. Continue Reading

I wonder how many dogs have lost their lives due to monkeys.  I’m referring to dogs disposed of by their owners who don’t know how to stop the canine hysteria triggered by our hapless tree-waifs. Not forgetting the many pooches who have been beaten up or have lost their lives while selflessly protecting their master’s fruit bowl from these marauding thugs.

And when it’s monkey visiting day, not only do our dogs behave like lunatics, but they also seem to lose their heads and turn on each other. In the heat of the moment, dog turns on dog and serious fights break out. Sadly, many a dog owner has arrived home to see dear old Yella lying in a pool of blood, breathing his last … and yes, the monkeys were the catalyst. Continue Reading

This Q&A deals with an old Maltese poodle who has developed some strange behaviour after returning from the kennels. He barks non-stop throughout the night. Continue Reading