Why Unwanted Behaviour Occurs
Unwanted behaviour can come from nature (whelping box or illness) or nurture (environment) the majority of unwanted behaviours come from the environment from miscommunications between owner and dog. Dogs like humans look for strong leaders, so what qualities make a good leader?
Decisiveness, Strength, Calm, Patience, Assertive, Positive body language, these all demonstrate they can be trusted.
The dog is a pack animal and looks for someone they believe can protect them when there is potential danger and a leader to take care of their number one need for survival, food. They look for someone who will make decisions and lead when they are out on the walk and they need to know their place in the pack to feel safe.
When you have met all these needs in your dog's eyes it is then they will relax in the knowledge that you are taking care of them as their leader and their job is to support you and to enjoy life.
Let me point out at this stage Alpha, pack leader, mum, dad or boss it really does not matter what title you give as long as it translates in your dogs eyes to mean the one who controls the elements essential to survival food, water, exercise etc. Although our dogs know we are not dogs we can mimic their silent language and thus our dogs accept us as the leader.
You may say 'I always look after my dog' and I'm sure you really do in your human way of equality and fairness. The pack mentality is not about fairness, it is about a pecking order, who is the Alpha of the pack, and where do I fit in. In your dog's psychology someone has to fill the place of leader and if they feel that you have not met the requirements of leader as far as they are concerned they have no choice but to assume this role themselves, which is a job they are not equipped to do and this is when the behavioural problems start such as:
Pulling on the lead, Jumping up, Separation anxiety, Incessant barking, Nervousness and Aggression
Unwanted behaviour can come from nature (whelping box or illness) or nurture (environment) the majority of unwanted behaviours come from the environment from miscommunications between owner and dog. Dogs like humans look for strong leaders, so what qualities make a good leader?
Decisiveness, Strength, Calm, Patience, Assertive, Positive body language, these all demonstrate they can be trusted.
The dog is a pack animal and looks for someone they believe can protect them when there is potential danger and a leader to take care of their number one need for survival, food. They look for someone who will make decisions and lead when they are out on the walk and they need to know their place in the pack to feel safe.
When you have met all these needs in your dog's eyes it is then they will relax in the knowledge that you are taking care of them as their leader and their job is to support you and to enjoy life.
Let me point out at this stage Alpha, pack leader, mum, dad or boss it really does not matter what title you give as long as it translates in your dogs eyes to mean the one who controls the elements essential to survival food, water, exercise etc. Although our dogs know we are not dogs we can mimic their silent language and thus our dogs accept us as the leader.
You may say 'I always look after my dog' and I'm sure you really do in your human way of equality and fairness. The pack mentality is not about fairness, it is about a pecking order, who is the Alpha of the pack, and where do I fit in. In your dog's psychology someone has to fill the place of leader and if they feel that you have not met the requirements of leader as far as they are concerned they have no choice but to assume this role themselves, which is a job they are not equipped to do and this is when the behavioural problems start such as:
Pulling on the lead, Jumping up, Separation anxiety, Incessant barking, Nervousness and Aggression
Leadership is a very stressful job for a dog as it has to take care of you and all your family members and make decisions in a world it does not understand and they are not equipped to deal with. Once they assume the role of leader you become their lower ranking member. The role of leader is a role your dog takes very seriously and struggles to meet the impossible demands that the position requires.
The struggle and impossible demands leads to unwanted behaviour.
Remember, dogs are not human and do not speak English, for a second think about the silent physical messages (e.g. dog goes through the door first) and ask yourself the question, who follows who?
The struggle and impossible demands leads to unwanted behaviour.
Remember, dogs are not human and do not speak English, for a second think about the silent physical messages (e.g. dog goes through the door first) and ask yourself the question, who follows who?
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