Dogs react to their environment in the best way that they know how. There in lies part of the problem. If they do not know how to cope, they usually either go into Fight or Flight mode. The dog thinks, ” Can I take the problem out with force or can I get away from it”.<\/p>\n
The average Pet Parent means well, but may do the exact opposite of what needs to be done. Here we have a dog that needs direction or input from an outside source to overcome the external (person, dog, cat etc) issue, but the dog receives no direction when it is most needed. The distraction could also be internal like the dog having a lack of socialization or self confidence. He just does not know what to do. The dog acts out the best way it knows how.<\/p>\n
Think of yourself thrust into a job or situation that you know little about. We feel frustrated and unsure of ourselves. We may want to get the heck out of the situation or we become agitated for being forced into the situation. We might even lash out because of our lack of understanding or control. Now imagine someone coming to your aid and guides you through that same situation or better yet prepares you for it before it occurs. That’s what the job of the Parent is, to guide and prepare.<\/p>\n
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By guiding, I do not mean trying to stroke the dog and verbally attempt to calm the dog down. That only tells the dog that what ever they were doing in that moment is the right thing, keep it up. I had a demo with a lady whose dog was growling at me. She held the dog back with one hand and attempted to soothe the dog with the other. As she was stroking the dog she was asking the dog to calm down. All the while, the dog kept staring and growling at me. I had to tell her “even if you don’t hire me, don’t do that”. To this she responded, “do you want me to let him go?”. “No!,” I replied. Continued perceived praise for wrong behavior only makes their improper action more ingrained (muscle memory). “I thought you liked it when I growled at people, why then am I in trouble for biting them”<\/p>\n
Part of the solution is getting the dog to learn how to redirect off the problem (squirrel , cat, person etc) and focus on you and what you are saying. One of the most effective tools to accomplish this is the use of the remote collar (E-collar). When used properly<\/em>, it enables the Pet Parent to get the dogs attention. <\/p>\n Think of it like this, you are on the phone engaged in a conversation and someone comes into the room to talk to you. Because you are concentrating on the phone conversation, you do not hear that person. You would otherwise understand what they are saying, but you are distracted by the conversation you are having. The person that came into the room can either raise their voice, or they could come up to you and tap you on the shoulder. If someone tapped you on the shoulder, you would turn around to see what they wanted. They did not strike you, they just did the minimal action necessary to get your attention. This is how the remote works. It enables the Pet Parent to get the Dogs attention without yelling or force. Yes, it takes applied training and practice to make this happen.<\/p>\n What the dog also needs is a Pet Parent that the dog perceives to be in charge. You can be in charge without being a tyrant. Think of the best boss or teacher that you have ever had and try to be that way with your dog. Calm, patient, consistent in expectations and commands, understanding but not allowing bad behaviors to continue, having fair expectations of the dogs progress. Remember, it took awhile for the bad\/unwanted behaviors to occur. It is going to take some amount of time to undo them.<\/p>\n Sounds simple yes?, truth is usually simple. It’s the execution that can require some assistance. If you need help in guiding yourself and your dog through these issues, contact a Professional Dog Trainer to assist you. It’s okay to not know the answer to a problem and seek out help in correcting it. I wouldn’t think twice about the need to go to a mechanic to fix my car. If I did the work myself, I would only make matters worse. Don’t allow an easily correctable issue from getting worse by inaction. Most of my clients have really great dogs, it’s just that the owner needs some education in how to nudge the dog and themselves in the right direction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Contact me, Bob Burnell at http:\/\/palmbeach.sitmeanssit.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Visit my blog page<\/p>\nWho is “in charge” at your home?<\/h2>\n
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