Time and time again my clients biggest issue is: They feel they have no control over their dog.
For as long as we can remember, canines were integrated into our daily lives. They went with us everywhere, and it was rare to not have a family pet. These morals still stick today, yet society has changed dramatically. Owners are working longer, stay at home spouses are harder to come by, which means the dog is left alone more than it was in the past. Dog owners give their pets every treat and toy under the sun and leave them to free feed thinking this is enough. It is not.
Society now treats our furry companions as an accessory. Owners are obsessed with having the latest gadget for their dog, like cameras that dispense treats, the latest clothing for any holiday imaginable, all while neglecting the most important thing: leadership
These actions, even though with good intent, are amongst the worst things you can do. It leaves you with an entitled pet that pulls you down the street, doesn’t come back when called, and destroys your home when you aren’t there, and in this process, we don’t dare say no.
Why are we captivated by anthropomorphizing animals? We let them sleep in our beds, diminishing our sleep quality, and we let them dictate our in-house rules. Maybe we feel a tinge of guilt for leaving them alone for so long so we try to make it up to them by letting them do as they please.
By neglecting our furry companions of the basic necessity of being a pack leader, they start to take on the role themselves, which can come in all forms of behavior such as humping, going into a frenzy when the doorbell rings, severe leash reactivity (barking, lunging at passerby and other dogs) and possessive behavior.
How do you become the ideal pack leader for a dog? Simple. You lead
In order to do this, you need to have an eating schedule for them that’s consistent; same with a walking schedule. You need to let your dog have an outlet for exercise, this is not optional. There is nothing better than strengthening your bond than by going for walks with your canine, distraction-free might I add. A good dog is a calm dog that’s tuned into your body on walks (ex. when you speed up, slow down, or turn around) and doesn’t challenge people or dogs when you walk past. This is called being in pack drive.
When your pup barks at a passerby, this is defense drive. When your canine goes full force at a squirrel, this is prey drive. It is by far easiest to train our furry companions when they are in pack drive. They are fully intuned with us in this drive, therefore trust our decisions as the right ones.
There is nothing better than being in perfect harmony with your dog on a walk. Don’t confuse this with walking your dog on a flexi lead 5 meters ahead of you; pulling towards other dogs, or trying to chase a squirrel. Don’t let a phone call space you out on a walk which in turn neglects your dog of a prime training opportunity. These walks do nothing for your companion; This usually explains the pacing and hyperactivity inside. If your canine doesn’t know how to be calm on walks; don’t assume they know how to be calm in the home.
Don’t overthink it!
Last but not least my final tip is to train your dog every day. It doesn’t need to be an event, it can be a few 5-minute intervals throughout the day. You can focus on perfecting the heel one day and greeting guests the next. Dog Training is a gradual activity, and nothing happens overnight. Dogs are very tuned into your emotions and it plays a big part in your relationship, don’t get frustrated. Guide your dog, praise your dog when they do the right thing. However, make sure they understand when they do something wrong.
It is all too common in the world of dog training recently that positive reinforcement only takes charge. Yes, it is good to praise your dog, but it isn’t good to reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This leads to frustration which can lead to keeping the dog from socializing when guests come over or rehoming. Remember, balance is your friend!
At the end of the day, we all want to do what’s right for our dogs. Philosophies may differ, but we all want the same thing: A well-balanced pup. Nurturing that relationship correctly a little bit every day is definitely a step in the right direction.
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