Top dog!

HE may be man's best friend but that relationship can become more than a little strained when a dog's behaviour causes problems for its owners.

But even the most loving of dog owners often don't realise that it can be the way they deal with their dog that is at the root of its behavioural problems which can be resolved by simply readjusting the way they relate to their pet - by thinking dog.

Stuart Brace, of the West Mercian Dog Training Centre, at Dinmore Hill, has come up with these top 10 tips which are a must-read for any dog owner - or anyone thinking of getting a puppy or homing a dog.

When it comes to thinking dog, you couldn't accuse Stuart, who runs the centre at Allwoodley, Dinmore Hill, of barking up the wrong tree.

He trained and worked with police dogs for 15 years while, in his spare time, running a dog club and demonstration team.

He teaches with "kind methods" which have led him in to the realms of dog behaviour techniques and, after 30 years' service with the police, retired and now assess and/or trains dogs full time.

He established the training centre 22 years ago and gives individual obedience lessons, obedience classes and advises on behavioural problems including sheep chasing and aggression.

"I am pro-dog and very keen to advise and educate dog owners, particularly in view of the upsetting dog incidents highlighted by the media in the past," he says.

Stuart can be contacted on 01568 797016, e-mail stuart.brace1@btinternet.com

10 top tips for a well-behaved dog

The dog is an animal - respect it as such. It is unkind to treat a dog as a human being (ie dressing it in 'clothes'); it doesn't think like us and will get confused. Dogs are pack animals and have different rules of behaviour to us.

Have structured rules of behaviour in the house and do not deviate from these. A dog has to learn its place in the pack (with humans that means the family and possibly other animals it is living with) and that involves structured rules in the home.

For example, if you don't want your dog to steal food left on a table, don't give it 'permission' by feeding it during your mealtimes.

The dog is a creature of habit. Be consistent at ALL times, both with training and behaviour.

Socialise the dog with children, humans and other dogs as soon as possible and introduce it to different noises and smells.

A new experience can be stressful so why be surprised if your dog acts up when faced with something for the first time?

Vaccinate and worm the dog regularly throughout its life. A dog with worms doesn't feel well - an unwell dog can display behavioural problems. It is also very important to worm dogs from a human health point of view.

The dog is a pack animal; the family must appear "above" the dog in the pack. One of the biggest underlying causes of bad behaviour is when a dog thinks it's the leader of its pack, ie the family.

Such a situation puts it under undue stress as it feels responsible for everyone in its 'pack'. Seek advice if you are unaware how to establish your leadership.

Enrol in a good dog training class where reward-based methods are used and the emphasis is on a well-behaved family dog, not competition obedience.

Be aware for what purpose your dog was originally bred. This may help you to train and avoid possible problems in the future. Labradors naturally retrieve, so if it's probably better to train one of these dogs using a ball as a reward rather than food. Terriers - hunting dogs - would work well with a squeaky toy.

Exercise your dog. Not only its body but its brain, with retrieve games, seek and find games etc. It doesn't matter if your dog is not a traditionally "intelligent" breed, such as a border collie or German Shepherd. All dogs need mental stimulation, even if this comes in the form of being made to do a few simple "tricks" such as stand/sit/lie down/give paw for a reward and carried out daily. All dogs are happier when they're busy.

Ensure your dog has its own safe area/bed where it can rest undisturbed and hassle-free when it needs to rest. This is so important. All dogs need their own space to avoid getting over-stressed. It's especially important to remember if you have young children who find it hard to leave the pet alone! Remember, they will need "training" to respect their dog's safe place and leave it alone when it retreats there.