Dog Behavior and Training Blog -

Featured

We Rescued a Dog Abandoned on a Brazilian Beach

Dog Behaviorist Denver visited Brazil to volunteer at shelters and work with the dogs to help them become more adoptable. But while he was there, he found another dog that needed his compassion.

Our dog behaviorist trainer, Bruce, recently donated his time at a no-kill shelters in Brasilia, Brazil. He worked with the animals on behavior problems such as fear, aggression, leash pulling, leash aggression, and aggression towards other dogs. With the help of his Portuguese interpreter, Giselle, he also coached the shelter workers so they could continue in the dogs’ training after his departure.

One day during the trip, Bruce visited a beach club in Fortaleza. He decided to take a walk along the the beach and came upon some coconut trees and jungle. Suddenly, a dog appeared from the wilderness, approached him, and immediately started nuzzling him. He was severely underweight and appeared to have mange.

Bruce enlisted the help of a friend and together they coaxed the dog to come back to the beach club with them. He bought the starved animal a delicious steak dinner and gave him bottled water to drink. Thirst quenched and belly full, the tired dog took a nap.

After a rest, the dog woke up and found Bruce relaxing on a beach chair. Without hesitation, he jumped into his lap and fell asleep again!

At this point, Bruce knew with certainty that this was not a feral animal; this was an abandoned pet.

With help from Giselle, Bruce found a local veterinarian for the dog, who they nicknamed “Mulambo” (slang for person that wears old, dirty clothes). He carried Mulambo to the car in his arms and drove to the vet’s office.

The veterinarian performed an exam and diagnosed Mulambo with jungle rot. She also said that the dog was approximately 30 lbs underweight and severely dehydrated. He had internal parasites and was extremely sick. In order to get better, Mulambo needed to stay overnight for several days.

Bruce didn’t bat an eye to approve the charges Mulambo’s care. The sick dog received IVs with B12, electrolytes, and antibiotics. He was also treated for parasites and jungle rot.

Back at the beach club, one of the staff told Bruce that he wanted to adopt Mulambo. But then he said he couldn’t afford to feed him and asked Bruce for money for food. That didn’t sit well with him. He wanted to make sure Mulambo went to a home where he would be taken care of, so he declined the beach club employee’s offer.

Bruce began researching nearby animal shelters and found a no-kill shelter 50 miles away. Once he arrived, however, he discovered the conditions were deplorable.

There had to have been close to 2,000 dogs at this shelter. They were extremely neglected and the majority were very sick. Bruce knew there was no way Mulambo could receive adequate care in this place. So he made the 50-mile journey back and returned Mulambo to the vet clinic for another two nights so he could get more care while they decided their next move.

The day they found Mulambo at the beach club, they were approached by a family on vacation from Brasilia who saw Bruce caring for the dog. As it turns out, they foster dogs! They exchanged numbers so Bruce could provide updates on Mulambo.

After deciding not to leave Mulambo at the closer shelter, Bruce spoke with the family about bringing him to their home in Brasilia. However, it was a 2.5-hour flight from where they were, and Mulambo was too sick to fly.

Bruce found a transport service that would drive Mulambo to the family in Brasilia, but first, he had to be well enough to make the 2-day drive.

Mulambo with transport driver before their long journey together to Brasilia

The veterinarian informed Bruce that Mulambo’s jungle rot was severe and contagious. She said he needed to be kept in the clinic and isolated from the other animals for several more weeks until he was cured. Because she saw how vigilant Bruce was about Mulambo’s well-being, the veterinarian offered him a discounted rate for the dog’s extended care.

We are happy to report that Mulambo is now safely with his foster family in Brasilia. He has gained weight and is much healthier. And he’s loving all of the attention and pets!

From being abandoned in the jungle to being found by our dog behaviorist trainer and cared for, the future is bright for Mulambo.

And he has a great chance of finding his forever home.

Mulambo makes himself at home with his new foster family

Featured

In the News: Dog Attack in Evergreen Retail Store, Owner and Dog Trainer Flee

These are the kind of news stories we don’t want to read, especially when a dog trainer is involved. But unfortunately, they are all too common.

The News Story

A woman visited The Home Depot store in Evergreen, Colo. along with her dog and its trainer.

A customer in the store asked if she could pet the dog. She was instructed first to give the dog a treat as part of its training.

According to the news article, the Great Dane sat and gently took the treat from her, but then unexpectedly lunged at her face causing significant injuries.

The owner and trainer fled the scene while employees and customers attended to the woman, whose injuries will reportedly require surgery to resolve.

An anonymous tip to the Jefferson County sheriff’s department helped officials locate the owner.

Initially reported as a bite, the owner claimed the attack was a headbutt.

Our Trainer’s Perspective

“The only thing two dog trainers can agree on is what the third trainer did wrong,” joked our dog trainer, Bruce Allen.

That said, there was a lot of “wrong” here.

Aggression and Lunging

First, you should never put a dog with an aggression tendency in a scenario with people it doesn’t know—especially in a strange situation. If it’s already aggressive, the first thing it will do is be more aggressive.

In the case of the alleged headbutt, lunging can also be very dangerous. Even if they are friendly, strong animals with thick skulls like Great Danes and Pit Bulls can cause significant injuries as we saw here. If your dog is known to lunge or jump up on people, it should not be allowed in public.

Treat Training

Treat training is great for providing positive feedback to your dog for obeying a command. However, it’s not always appropriate.

With an aggressive or excitable dog, there there has to be negative compulsion for the act, not a reward-based system.

The negative stimulant can be anything from saying “no” to correcting the dog on its leash and collar.

Final Thoughts

You should always have complete control of your pets in public places. The risk of injury to an innocent bystander is too great. The last thing you want is to end up in a news article like this one, not to mention any other legal repercussions you could face!

If you want to be able to take your dog out in public with you without incident, the best thing you can do is hire a professional dog trainer.

A private dog trainer like Bruce here at Dog Behaviorist Denver will work with you and your dog on its specific behaviors.

Bruce has nearly 40 years of experience as a dog trainer and knows the appropriate training methods for each dog behavior problem. He also provides basic obedience training for puppies 8 weeks and older.

Request a consultation with Bruce by calling or texting 303-968-6060. Or, you can send us a message now.

Featured

Tips for Helping Your Dog De-Stress During the Holidays

The holidays are the happiest time of the year!

But to many, this season can also be stressful.

Crowded shopping malls and stores, heavy traffic, end-of-the-year deadlines, school breaks, out-of-town guests, travel, and an overbooked social calendar often create a mixture of feelings of joy and being overwhelmed.

If that is how the holiday season is for you, imagine how it affects your dog!

There are tons of smells from different foods, unfamiliar people in the house, lots of noise, and a tree INSIDE. Talk about sensory overload!

Dogs are both empathetic and creatures of habit. Not only can they sense your stress, but when their routines are thrown out of whack, so too become their behaviors. This disruption can create a change in the dog’s disposition and trigger acute aggression.

We want you (and your furry friends) to have a happy holiday season, so we’re sharing our tips on how to reduce stress during this time for you and your dogs.

Parties and Out-of-Town Guests

Are you throwing a holiday party this year or expecting out-of-town guests?

Basic dog obedience is a great help around social situations so your canine knows appropriate and inappropriate behavior.

If your dog isn’t properly trained and socialized, however, having them around could add more stress for you and your guests—not to mention Fido!

As much and you love your fur baby, he or she doesn’t have to be a part of every minute of every gathering.

The best thing for your pet is to keep them out of the action while you have guests over. Use denning techniques such as their crate or an unoccupied room. This will help them will feel safe and secure away from the commotion.
If you want to bring them out to meet people, control the narrative. Make sure they are supervised at all times. If you notice rambunctious behavior, put them on a leash when they are introduced to someone.
When an out-of-town guest brings their dog, introduce them while they are on leash. If either dog displays aggression toward the other, keep them separated or under supervision at all times.
If you won’t be able to monitor your pup around guests, then please do them, your guests, and yourself a favor and remove them from the situation.

Christmas Trees and Housebreaking

It is not uncommon for formerly housebroken dogs to have issues with wanting to urinate on Christmas trees. If the tree is natural, it smells like the outside!

Here are a few tips for preventing unwanted messes.

Feed your dog around tree.
Move your dog’s crate or bed next to the tree.

Animals typically will not relieve themselves near where they eat or sleep. This small change over the holidays can spare you some headaches!

Additional Tips

With everything going on over the holidays, it is likely that your dog will be feeling overwhelmed and left out.

Follow these suggestions to increase their well-being.

Be sure to exercise them more. Take additional walks or schedule playtime – especially if they have been put away for long periods of time.
Show them more affection. Pets and cuddles help your dog feel relaxed and loved.
Do not give them table scraps! The unfamiliar food could upset their stomach and make them sick. This can lead to messes or a change in disposition because they don’t feel well.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

Does your dog display aggression toward other people or animals? We can help!

Request a free consultation with Dog Behaviorist Denver.

Featured

How To Help Prevent Dog Attacks

Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Out of that number, 800,000 resulted in the need for medical care.

There was recently a deadly dog attack in Golden, Colorado. The owners of the animals face criminal charges, and both dogs were euthanized.

Stories like this are tragic—especially when this type of behavior can be recognized and prevented.

Dog Bite Statistics

Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention.
Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.
Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

Warning Signs of Dog Aggression

Most dogs will not start biting until they have reached maturity at two years old.

If you notice any of these warning signs, you should immediately seek out the help of a dog behavior trainer before biting and aggression become a habit:

Growls or barks unprovoked
Resource guarding its food or toys
Snaps or lunges
Bares its teeth

Why Dogs Bite

Dogs can bite or attack for various reasons.

This aggression can be a response to a stressful situation, especially if they are startled or don’t feel well.

They may also feel scared or threatened and attack to protect their puppies or owners.

In many cases, dog bites and attacks happen when the animal is left unsupervised.

Dog Attacks by Breed

Statistically speaking, an overwhelming number of dog attacks come from Pit Bulls.

Often labeled an aggressive breed, if improperly cared for these loving, good-natured dogs can cause major harm with their sharp teeth and strong jaws. The breed is not to blame, however, but rather the owner.

76% of dog attacks that resulted in human deaths involved dogs who were isolated from regular human interaction or were not integrated into the family, according to a 2013 study.
For All Animals

Pit Bulls are commonly used as protection animals. Many are left as backyard animals and are chained or tethered. These untrained dogs are improperly socialized and largely left unsupervised. They experience pent up energy and aggression from being tethered. When they become untethered, they pose a significant threat.

Dog attacks and bites can come from any dog that has not been formerly trained in obedience, regardless of their breed. Police and military dogs are trained to attack, but your pet should understand that this behavior is not acceptable in your home.

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (Aug. 26, 2011) Rado, an 8-year-old German shepherd military working dog, bites Master-At-Arms 1st Class Patrick Yourg during a patrol training exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stephen Linch/Released)

Help Prevent Dog Attacks

Spay or neuter your pet

More than 70% of all dog bite cases involve unneutered male dogs.

Not only does spaying or neutering your pet help with population control, but it can also help to reduce dog aggression. In males, it specifically decreases their level of testosterone.

Puppies as young as eight weeks old can be neutered, though traditionally this occurs at six to nine months of age.

Seek the help of a reputable dog behavior trainer

Part of being a responsible dog owner is making sure your dog receives basic obedience training. An untrained animal is far more likely to experience negative behaviors such as aggression and fear that can result in biting.

Once a dog starts to bite, it is very difficult to control the behavior without professional help.

Our dog behavior trainer Bruce recently worked with a German Shepherd that bit his owner twice. Bruce helped to restructure the pecking order of the pack. He established the dog’s owner as the alpha by changing the way his client interacted with the pet. Within three sessions, the dog was eating out of Bruce’s hand.

There is never a 100% guarantee that an animal won’t bite again once the behavior is learned. However, with proper monitoring and training, the chances of a dog attack are reduced greatly.

Is your dog experiencing signs of aggression or fear?

Please call or text to schedule a free consultation: 303-968-6060.

Header image credit: Flickr @geoggirl (cropped, licensed)

Featured

Rescued Twice: The Story of Dora

WARNING: This blog depicts animal cruelty. Reader discretion is advised.

Dora the Pit Pull had a hard life.

She had previously been used as a “bait dog” in an LA dog fighting ring because she was docile and wouldn’t fight back. This poor girl was essentially used a punching bag for more aggressive dogs so they could gauge their attacks without risking injury to their fighters.

Let’s pause and take a deep breath for what Dora went through.

Now stop for a moment of gratitude that she was rescued from these horrible circumstances.

When the dog fighting ring was broken up by the authorities, Dora was taken to an animal shelter in Los Angeles. This was her first rescue, but Dora’s journey didn’t stop there.

Natalie went to this same shelter looking for a dog. It was there that she met and fell in love with Dora and her story. She decided to take her home to Denver, Colorado.

After about 6 months at home with Natalie, Dora started having problems. She was showing signs of aggression towards other animals, and Natalie was worried for the safety of her other pet. Dora also exhibited symptoms of anxiety and fear.

Natalie was determined to give Dora a safe and loving home, so she contacted Dog Behaviorist Denver for help.

Upon first meeting, our dog behavior trainer Bruce noticed that Dora was displaying a high degree of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). She would shake when he approached. Dora would also bark at and chase after other dogs that walked past her fence.

The first lesson Bruce put Dora through was to take and catch food, which taught Dora to look up at people’s faces and pay attention. This laid the groundwork to getting her to obey commands.

Food (glorious food) was also used to encourage her to lie down and stay (also known as “down stay”.) The purpose of this command is to comfort. It’s naturally relaxing to the dog to be off of its legs and on the floor. Bruce taught her that she will be safe in this position, and nothing bad would happen to her. Dora showed immediate improvements from her PTSD with this command.

The next dog behavior problem to tackle was her aggression toward other animals. Bruce put a stimulant in front of her, such as taking her up to the fence while other dogs walked past. Dora learned to stay in the down position even as her canine neighbors strolled on by!

After just 5 sessions in 3 months, Dora the Pit Bull has made huge improvements with both her dog aggression and canine PTSD. She’s no longer barking at other dogs or shaking when approached by humans.

Even more, Dora has already graduated to learning basic dog obedience! She is now working on coming when called and how to heel. Natalie has been doing a great job of keeping up on Dora’s lessons in between sessions with our expert dog trainer!

We want to personally thank Natalie not only for rescuing Dora, but also for coming to Dog Behaviorist Denver for help. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives. 🐾

There’s a reason why we say that we train dogs other can’t—or won’t.

Many trainers do not have the experience or proven track record of rehabilitating abused animals. Others shy away from breeds like Pit Bulls or even dogs that bite.

As a former Cruelty and Abuse Director for the Humane Society, Bruce applies his expertise to help rescue dogs and the parents that love them.

If the dog you rescued is an animal abuse survivor and showing signs of aggression, fear, PTSD, or any number of difficult dog behaviors, please contact Dog Behaviorist Denver for help.

Featured

Yogi: From Nuisance to Service Animal

After just 10 sessions with us, Yogi went from being a total nuisance to a service animal.

Sheri and Howard bought Yogi the Cockapoo as a puppy. At just 7 months old, he was already becoming a problem for his owners. He would viciously bite their hands and feet and chew on things around the house. They were worried they were going to have to re-home him.

Desperate, they came to Dog Behaviorist Denver for help.

Our dog behaviorist trainer Bruce started with simple commands such as the “down stay” (lie down and stay). Yogi had to learn what the verbal command and physical gesture meant and to obey.

Yogi worked his way up from lying down and staying for 5 minutes, to 10, then 30 minutes. That’s one command that he obeyed for an entire 30 minutes!

Following each session, Bruce gave Sheri and Howard homework. They were to continue working on these commands with Yogi in between sessions with Bruce. A repertoire of cues was built upon over the course of the 10 sessions.

It is essential that everything that is worked on in session with Bruce is continued at home. The dog must learn to obey his owners, not just Bruce! Consistency is key, and Howard and Sheri knocked it out of the park.

After intense work with our trainer, and the vigilance of his owners in keeping up his training at home, Yogi’s bad behaviors stopped, and he began following even more commands.

The dog training was so successful, in fact, that Bruce realized he could teach Yogi to become a certified service animal. He is now used to subdue his owner’s health condition. Yogi went from being a source of stress to a “bone-a-fide” healer!

Do you need your dog to become a success story like Yogi?

Please call or text to schedule a free consultation: 303-968-6060.

Featured

Lucy the Chewer

Meet Lucy.

Lucy had a problem with chewing.

This girl just LOVED to chew.

She enjoyed it so much, in fact, that she chewed a hole through an $8,000 couch!

After working with our dog behavior trainer Bruce, no more chewing! The furniture (and everything else in the house) is saved.

Is your dog exhibiting bad behavior and destroying things by chewing on them?

We can help!

Call or text our dog behaviorist Bruce for more information or to schedule a session at 303-968-6060.