Pet Training & Behavior Topics

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Welcome to Diana Guerrero's Ark Animals Training & Therapy. This section is dedicated to pets, companion animals, and topics related to their care and training. This Ark Animals article discusses the pet problem of door dashing and gate crashing. You should get professional help for pet problems.

Pet Behavior Problems: Door Dashing & Gate Crashing

Is bolting bowser driving you crazy? Are you spending loads of time looking for your critter instead of having quality time? This is a very common and dangerous behavior problem for pet owners. Dogs that bolt through the door or gate are commonly called door dashers or gate crashers. Many have learned that they can have a good time by running away. This is one of the more dangerous of habits for a pet since it means they could become lost, or injured by other animals and vehicles.

If pets have proper schooling at a young age, most animals can be easily taught manners. Unfortunately people do not realize how simple training can benefit them or their pets. Once the animal learns that they do not have to mind, or that they can have a great time by running off (or by just staying out of reach of their owners), the problem gets worse and more dangerous.

Pets will become meandering mongrels for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few of the common reasons they will engage in escaping through door dashing or gate crashing:

• Lack of guidelines from owner
• Hormones
• Boredom
• Game playing
• Training by accident

Most animal behavior challenges are caused by incorrect information that owners have obtained from the wrong sources. Early training is a must for a well-behaved critter. We often start puppy preschool in the home at seven to eight weeks of age.

Pet overpopulation is such a large problem that millions of animals end up in shelters and euthanized every year because many people still fail to alter or neuter their animals. These raging hormones also create the drive to roam and create havoc.

However, this behavior is easily extinguished. If you have not had your animal altered or neutered, that is the first requirement. Once that is done, most cases can be solved quickly. The longer the behavior problem has been around, the longer it will take to extinguish.

Teaching the "come" behavior and basic manners are step two, and providing the proper environment and activities are step three. Professional help can assist you in eliminating this problem quickly and easily.

If you are experiencing this behavior problem help is just a phone call away! Hire Animal Expert

About the columnist: Since 1978 Diana L. Guerrero has worked professionally with both wild and domestic animals. Guerrero has been affiliated with, and certified by, a variety of animal programs in the USA and Europe. Based in California, she writes, consults, and speaks. Information on her animal career programs, training courses, and her books {What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality (SkyLight Paths, 2003), Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007), Help! My Pet is Driving Me Crazy (Guerrero Ink, 2007), Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (Guerrero Ink, 2007)} can be found in this web site and in the shop. Questions for Guerrero should be submitted via the blog comments or membership forum.