Admittedly it is nearly impossible to fully express this reality in a short article. But hopefully you can glean some helpful tidbits herein that will improve your human/dog relationship.
Invest the Time/Energy to become an educated owner
Good training just doesn’t happen by the wave of a magic wand. Learn about dogs: their genetic makeup, what makes them tick, how they learn, breed distinctives (even mix breeds). Be careful, though, of what you may see online as many of the methods/ideas/philosophies out there are actually detrimental to dogs’ wellbeing and will be counterproductive. We have several articles throughout our DogBlog that can help you learn more about this amazing creature we call “dog.”
Clearly Communicate with the Dog
Say what you mean and mean what you say. Use consistent cues for the same action. For example, if your cue for the dog to lay down is “down,” don’t later tell him to “sit down” when you want him to sit. Rather, keep it as a “sit.” It sounds simple but it is very important in how the dog thinks. Many dogs act in ways that frustrate us because they are confused and therefore are frustrated themselves.
Timing is extremely important when communicating with dogs as well. Canine psychologists and informed trainers will tell you that we have about 1.5 (one and half) seconds to communicate something (correction or reward) before the dog’s brain is off on another topic. No, it’s not ADHD but it’s just how fast her brain works. For example, let’s say you’re walking through the park and tell your dog to sit. She responds with a correct sit. At that moment, a neighbor calls your name and look over to see what they want. Meanwhile, your dog is looking over at a squirrel that is running up the tree and she’s getting excited about it. Then you remember to praise/reward your dog. She thinks you’re rewarding for the excitement about the squirrel running up the tree and has long forgotten about the sit.
Permit the Dog to be a Dog
He is not “human.” Forcing him to become such makes for an unstable, confused dog. Be careful of the terms “fur-baby” or thinking of the dog as a four-legged human. It doesn’t do the dog any favors. This doesn’t mean we love them less; it simple means that we love them for who they are – a dog. If we are to respect the dog, we must let him be a dog. Treating a dog like a human can/does create behavioral problems. Some (not all) dogs become fearful and/or aggressive because humans are forcing them into their own mold.
Dogs need boundaries, food, and affection – in that order! They crave structure and routine. Because people treat their dogs as little children, they tend to laud large amounts of affection (and even food) onto the dog. It changes the order of the dog’s needs. As a result, the dog must discover his boundaries on his own, at the risk of punishment and disappointment from the human. This places tremendous pressure upon the dog because it forces him to act in an unnatural way. It most always leads to tension in the relationship.
Generally, the more we spoil our dogs, the more their behavior problems increase. Don’t be fearful of providing positive crate time with your dog. This isn’t doggie prison; it’s his den – at least if you have provided positive vibes with the crate. Furthermore, the dog is a dog…and he’s happiest when he is treated like a dog. Clarity and boundaries are not the antithesis of kindness. Clarity and boundaries are kindness…to the dog.
Give him Opportunity to express his Genetics
Every dog – from the smallest to the tallest – has innate genetics that pre-program his way of thinking and doing. For dogs to be fulfilled and happy, healthy members of human society, they need opportunities to express these. For example, a German Shepherd – like so many other working breeds – were bred to work all day and have energy left over in the evening to play with the children and interact with his humans. To force this kind of dog into a crate all day without a chance to run, jump, sniff, play will likely produce a dog that is hyper, hard to control, and likely unwilling to listen to your commands. Likewise, terriers were bred to bark and dig. Pointers to run and hunt. Newfoundlands to swim. On and on the list goes. For a dog to do well mentally and physically, they need times where they can express these innate tendencies; controlled but permitted. It may not be while on a walk around the block but somewhere somehow sometime, they need to be permitted to do what they were designed to do. It will go a long way in producing a dog that is happy and easier to handle.
So, we hope this short article has whetted your appetite for further learning. Our DogBlog has several articles that may help you move forward: from training tips to using a crate effectively etc. Click away 😉
