Articles
Kaye's articles about the training and behaviour of your dog. Feel free to copy these for your own use. Clubs and newsletter editors may use articles with acknowledgement of Kaye Hargreaves as author and www.kayehargreaves.com included with the text.
Adventure Playground for Dogs
“Adventure playground” for socialisation and training purposes. Kaye Hargreaves will introduce practical possibilities and training principles for “adventure playground” activities for socialisation and training of puppies and older dogs.
A Training Framework
Before you start training your dog, consider all the factors which have an impact. These are questions which provide a framework for training the whole dog.
Bringing Your New Puppy Home
Your new puppy will be a member of your household and a close companion for the next ten to fifteen years. The first few days that the puppy spends in your home are important. According to Kaye Hargreaves, first impressions can be lasting ones.
Chewing
Destructive chewing is a problem with many dogs who are left at home alone. Find out what causes this problem and how to deal with it.
Choosing a Dog
We have a high level of pet ownership in Australia. The most common reason for having a dog is companionship. People regard their dog as part of the family. We know that dog ownership brings benefits to many different people - single people, families, children and elderly people. However, we also know that many dogs are dumped, neglected, rehomed or put down because people can’t cope with them. In order to get the most from your dog, and offer him or her a good life, it is really important to choose your dog carefully and then give your dog suitable care, management and training.
Dog Day Afternoons
The summer months can present risks to your dog. In this article Kaye explains the risks and how you can keep your dog safe and comfortable.
Dogs in Bed
Where should your dog sleep? Many people sleep with their dogs but there is controversy about whether this is a good thing or not.
Dogs in Space
We all like to take our dogs out into the community, but the sad fact is that some dogs (and dog owners) misbehave in public open space. In this article, Kaye discusses what we should expect of dogs and their owners in public open space, and how training can help.
Epilepsy
People are often surprised to learn that dogs suffer from epilepsy. One of my German Shepherds, Elgar, was found running around on Elgar Rd (hence the name) which it later turned out was in the aftermath of a seizure. In this article I give you some basic information about epilepsy and discuss the little known behavioural fallout of the disease.
Fatal dog attack
A copy of a letter to the editor of the Age newspaper, following a fatal dog attack, 7th January 2009.
Food Guarding
Guarding of food and other resources is a common problem. Often it is made worse by bad advice, such as "practice taking your dog's food away", which only makes aggression worse. In this article, Kaye explains the method of "approaching to give not to take."
Granddad and Rufus
Introducing a new baby into your family requires some careful consideration of whether your dog is a risk, and how to avoid problems. In this article Kaye advises a client about visiting her grandfather and coping with his dog.
Grief at the Death of a Dog
There is a special bond between dogs and people. People tend to regard their dogs as members of the family, and give “companionship” as the main reason for having a pet. So it is not surprising that people experience grief at the death of a much-loved dog.
Home Alone
Many dogs have to be left at home alone when you go to work. Some dogs cope with this, but some can find it distressing. In this article, Kaye advises a client on how to make her dog more comfortable.
Ignoring the Dog
Dog owners are often advised to ignore the dog when he or she is misbehaving. This advice is simplistic. In this article, Kaye explains when to ignore the dog and when other techniques are needed.
Motivating Your Dog
Why do people have trouble motivating their dog? Misconceptions around motivation are a major source of training problems with dogs. In this article Kaye explains the misconceptions and puts you on track to motivate your dog.
Myths and Fallacies About Dogs
In this article, I will discuss some of the problems encountered in the training process which arise from common myths, fallacies and handler errors.
Nuisance Barking
Dogs bark. Barking is one of the things that dogs do. There are many types of barking and reasons for barking. Some are appreciated by people, others definitely are not. In this article Kaye discusses reasons for barking and how you can deal with it to prevent it becoming a problem.
One woman's Story
I originally wrote this article in 1991, and revised it in 2001. It is the story of a client who together with her dog was traumatised by their experience at a traditional correction and praise type of dog obedience school. In it I discuss some of the issues arising for people in the transition to positive reinforcement methods.
Preparing Shadow for Your New Baby
Nothing is more horrifying to parents, dog owners and trainers than the thought of a dog attacking and possibly killing a baby. Lisa and Craig, a young couple, had established themselves with careers, a house, and a dog for companionship as well as personal or property protection. They consulted me for help with the training of Shadow. They were expecting their first baby, and wanted advice on how to introduce the newcomer.
Responsible Dog Ownership
A checklist of points to consider if you want to be a responsible dog owner.
The Accidental Dog Trainer
A tongue in cheek look at how some dog owners do everything to teach their dog not to come when called.
The Release and Levels of Control
This article introduces the idea that your dog is always in gear, even if that gear is neutral. In training and in general management, you should always be aware of what gear your dog is in. Furthermore, you should change gears, so that your dog is in the appropriate gear for the situation.
Training Your Unruly Dog
This scenario - an unruly young male dog with a female handler who is not very assertive - is one that most instructors have come across. How can we help the owner to assert herself and deal with her dog?
Before you buy a German Shepherd
Before you decide to buy a German Shepherd puppy, you should be aware of the commitment you will be making. There are a lot of things that can (and do) go wrong. This is about some of them, and what you can do to prevent them happening ...
