How's Bentley Survey Results.

Here are some common problem behaviors. How many of these statements describe your dog? Submit your answer to read how you can reduce these common, canine problem behaviors!

• He paces from room to room.
• She rarely lies down, even when others are relaxed.
• He whines or barks for attention.
• She constantly steals objects.
• He never stops jumping when people are visiting.
• She digs, chews and destroys everything in sight.
• He races along the fence barking at every dog or person that passes by.
• She digs under the fence, escapes and roams the neighborhood.
• He bolts out the gate or door every chance he gets and runs away.
• She looks out the window all day, barking at whatever she sees.
• He constantly play-bites, nips at clothing and jumps up during play.

A. 0 of the statements describe my dog.
B. 1-3 of the statements describe my dog.
C. 4-6 of the statements describe my dog.
D. 7-9 of the statements describe my dog.
E. 10 or more of the statements describe my dog.

Discussion and Suggestions
All of the behaviors represent a dog that needs a little guidance and lots of exercise! Some of the behaviors (fence running - barking out the window) could be early signs of dangerous problems that could lead to adrenaline-seeking, aggressive behaviors in the future.

If you answered 0, congratulations, you are managing the environment well and you are fulfilling your dog's social, physical and emotional needs quite well!

If 1 to 6 of the sentences described your dog, there are several things you should explore. How might you better manage the environment (i.e. baby gate, crate. leash, puppy proofing), how might you increase the amounts of controlled mental and physical exercises?

If 7 or more of the sentences describe your dog, he or she probably needs more supervised exercise.

All dogs need exercise, mental stimulation, and social interactions with humans. Playing in the back yard for 10 to 15 minutes a day is not enough stimulation for most dogs. The amount and type of exercise needed varies with each individual. The perfect amount of exercise is just enough for your dog to be tired enough to be a relaxed calm member of your household. If your dog has lots of unused energy, it will emerge as annoyances. Well-exercised pups and dogs don't jump up excessively, bark and whine excessively, destroy everything, run away, dig for hours, or pace the floor!

Mental and physical exercise should be part of your dog's daily routine. Long walks are a great exercise tool. It's best to take at least two long walks each day. In addition to more exercise, you should begin a training program. Obedience training teaches dogs about our language and culture and more importantly, teaches dogs which behaviors are acceptable and how they might earn our attention by performing wanted behaviors. Short teaching sessions are great for exercising your dog's mind. Scatter feeding and scent games are wonderful tools to burn energy and to provide the dog with an outlet for normal, stimulating behaviors.

Many people with dogs that nip at their hands and clothes at every opportunity, play bite excessively, and jump up during play have inadvertently taught their dogs these behaviors by playing rough with the dog. Everyone should avoid wrestling with dogs. Wrestling with pups increases the pups' urges to play bite and teaches them that biting and jumping up on humans is ok. Children should play hide-n-seek, fetch or spend time teaching dogs appropriate behaviors. Although we all want to "love-on" our pups, doing so when the pups are full of unused energy is ill advised. Wait until the pup is very tired or asleep before you steal some 'puppy love"!

Teaching your dog how to behave is not an inborn skill. Constantly managing your dog's behaviors should be a short-term solution, not a long-term plan. If you are yelling "NO" more often than saying "GOOD", it's time you stopped taking advice from well-meaning neighbors, co-workers, family members and strangers. Learn how to teach your dog what it takes to please you! Check out How's Bentley Service Selector to see which services are best for you!