I’m a dog trainer – my urgent warning over the worst behaviour I see in pets and how to fix problem
A DOG trainer has issued an urgent warning about the worst behaviour she sees in pets - and how to fix the problem.
Wendy Kruger, a trainer for Woodgreens Pets Charity, said owners need to act before their dog gets out of control.
She told the Mirror: "I would say the issue I'm seeing most often across the breeds is reactivity to other dogs."
If a dog has not been socialised properly or is anxious - or if they just want to play - their frustrated barking and lunging might come across as aggressive.
But Wendy said dog owners need to act before their dog becomes a hot-headed liability outside.
She said: "You need to make sure that the exposure to the thing that they are overstimulated to is less.
"Engaging with your dog when you're out and about, making sure for the foreseeable future you don't take them to busy places where they are going to overreact to stuff."
Wendy recommended walking your dogs in quiet places and moving them away from other dogs.
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If you do cross paths with another dog, place some food in front of your dog to distract them and reward good behaviour.
Your mutt's behaviour will only improve gradually, so it's important to keep patient.
Don't lean on punishment or stern words - this will frighten your dog and disincline them to listen to you in the long term.
It comes after Wendy revealed the ways pet owners can stop bad behaviour later in life.
The dog trainer said that many of her clients are owners whose relationships with their pooch has worsened because they have relied on verbal warnings.
Wendy trains misbehaving dogs Woodgreens' HQ, where Channel 4 hit The Dog House is filmed.
She also runs online classes teaching owners all the things they need about how to keep their dog happy and understand what they are saying