About

Robert Bugeja Dog Training and Behaviour

I have always been passionate about dogs. We started our journey in 2008 when we welcomed our first Labrador retriever. Throughout her early years, we focused on house training, how to be educate dog and also introduce her to obedience levels. Now a days she is retired and she is part of our family.

As this was achieved successfully, we got our second Labrador retriever, Roy. These experiences motivated me to further my studies in Dog training and behavior with ADTB Academy.

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Frequently Ask Questions

While to a human it may seem like a dog is whining for no reason, the dog is trying to telling you something. Like barking and growling, whining is a way that dogs vocalize their desires, excitement, pain, stress, and everything in between. The question of whether or not you should respond to a whining dog depends on the underlying reason. Encouraging whining, even unintentionally, can turn it into a problem behavior, resulting in a pup that whines excessively. There are a few things you can do to interpret the wining, calm the dog, and maybe even stop it.

Your dog could have separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety happens when a dog that’s hyper-attached to his owner gets super-stressed when left alone. It’s more than a little whining when you leave or a bit of mischief while you’re out. It’s a serious condition and one of the main reasons owners get frustrated with their dogs and give them up. But there are plenty of things you can do to help.

First, understand what causes your dog to act this way:

  • Being left alone for the first time or when he’s used to being with people
  • Change of ownership
  • Moving from a shelter to a home
  • Change in family routine or schedule
  • Loss of a family member

A dog who has it shows a lot of stress when he’s alone. He might:

  • Howl, bark, or whine to excess
  • Have indoor “accidents” even though he’s housebroken
  • Chew things up, dig holes, scratch at windows and doors
  • Drool, pant, or salivate way more than usual
  • Pace, often in an obsessive pattern
  • Try to escape

He likely won’t do any of these things to an extreme while you’re around. A normal dog might do some of these things once in a while, but one with separation anxiety will do them almost all the time.

First, talk to your vet to rule out any medical problems. Sometimes dogs have accidents in the house because of infections or hormone problems or other health conditions. It also could be due to incomplete housebreaking. And some medications can cause accidents. If your dog takes any drugs, ask your vet if they are to blame.

Anxiety

A dog with severe anxiety won’t be distracted by even the tastiest treats. You’ll need to slowly get him used to your absence.

He may start to get nervous when he sees signs you’re about to leave, like putting on your shoes or picking up your keys. So do those things, but then don’t leave. Put on your shoes and then sit down at the table. Pick up your keys and watch TV. Do this over and over many times a day.

When your dog starts to feel less anxious about that, you can slowly start to disappear. First just go on the other side of the door. Ask your dog to stay, then close an inside door between you. Reappear after a few seconds. Slowly increase the amount of time you’re gone. Put on your shoes and pick up your keys. Ask your dog to stay while you go into another room.

As he gets more used to the “stay game,” increase the amount of time you’re gone. Then use an outside door, but not the same one you go out every day. Make sure your dog is relaxed before you leave.

Only you can tell if your dog is ready to be left alone for longer periods. Don’t rush things. Give him a stuffed treat when you’ve built up to 10 seconds or so apart. Always act calm when you leave and when you return.

Gradually build up the time until you can leave the house for a few minutes. Then stay away for longer and longer periods.

One to One Sessions

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Obedience Training

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House Visits

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For All Dogs

Make sure your pet gets lots of exercise every day. A tired happy dog will be less stressed when you leave. Its also key that you challenge your pets mind. Play training games and fetch. Use interactive puzzle. Working his mind as well as his body. That will keep him busy, happy, and too tired to be anxious while you’re gone.

Why training a dog is so important?

Dogs are a separate species from people and as such, they have their own special needs and natural instincts. They communicate differently than humans. When we bring a dog or puppy into our homes and our lives, we are asking them to change much of what is natural about their existence. We not only need to teach them how to fit in but also teach ourselves about their needs so that we can learn to accommodate them and adjust our expectations to make the best possible situation for both species; dog and human. If we do not take the time to train our dogs and educate ourselves we will both be frustrated and not nearly as happy as we could be.

Top 10 Common puppy issues, we can help you to deal with the below:

  • Barking

  • Frequently seeking attention

  • Unsure when being handled

  • Hiding or moving away when approached

  • Pulling on the lead

  • Mouthing, biting and chewing

  • Going to the toilet inside

  • Jumping up

  • Ignoring you

  • Not coming when called

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Our Simple Process

Step 1: Contact Us

to book a phone call

Step 2: Consultation

to answer all of your questions

Step 3: Start Process

only if you are ready and comfortable
What our clients says about us

TESTIMONIALS

Robert is the best!! Very helpful and understanding. My dog enjoys going for his weekly lesson

Selma Vella (Mufc)
Great trainer ! Robert shows you that really loving your dog doesn’t mean spoiling them, but rather teaching them proper obedience so that we can enjoy them everywhere we take them.
Highly recommended !!
Ramzy Mallia
A very professional dog trainer with loads of patience and dedication. He knows his work perfectly, the two words highly recommended are not enough to really thank his impeccable service . Well done you did a great job with our dogs.
Aly Bugeja
helped us alot !
for sure the best dog trainer on the island , patient and after all you see the results ! thanks for making our dog a good dog
Fly Mar

I’d highly recommend working with Robert. His passion for dogs and upbeat nature make class engaging and enjoyable. He has a tremendous depth of knowledge with extensive experience in a wide range of training and behavioral situations. He teaches so much more than just sit and stay and educates owners about dogs and proper dog ownership!

Robert helped from the puppy stage through adult-level training, one-to-one, and training classes. He worked also to remedy unwanted dog behavior at home! It is always a pleasure going to lessons both for us as owners and for our dog Zeus!

Thank you for your guidance in sharing your gift.

Nicole & Marley!

In August 2021 I went for a consultation with Robert Bugeja after feeling worried that my British Staffordshire Bullterrier seemed to be too shy & also reactive with dogs. Since day 1 Robert has helped me get the dog slowly out of his shell, he taught me understand dog behavior & its meaning & through 1 on 1 coaching both myself & my dog learnt how to better interact with each other, my dog became more confident & obedient & less stressed around other dogs. I kept going to training every week for a year & stopped going only because I left Malta. A well trained dog is a happy dog. Thanks Robert for making my dog happy!

Dante and Owner

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