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DOG TRAINING |
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DOG BREEDS AND MONGRELS |
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"Old-fashioned"
obedience training is based on the dog learning things that are not natural
to it. It takes time for the dog to understand what you want, but it can be
done. Leadership is about turning your dog into a pleasant companion, using the signals it is born to understand. Our dogs are no longer wolves, but their instincts and ways of perceiving the world are the same. All dogs want a strong leader to guide them. And if there is none the dog will take the task of being leader itself. Try to look at your dog right now. What is normal in your home? Who welcomes guests, you or the dog? Who goes first when you go in and out, you or the dog? Who will jump first into the car and who is first out of the car? When I sit on the couch and your dog asks for your attention, do you pat it right away? Is the dog the first one in the sofa? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you can be sure that your dog feel that it is in control over you and the family. Your dog does not perceive you as a competent leader. It is deeply rooted in all dogs, big and small, that there must be a strong leader to ensure the pack's (family's) survival. Is there no clear leader in the family, so the dog will take on the task as well as possible. It does not want the job, but feeling that no one else has the leadership in your family, makes it necessary. For the dog it's a matter of survival. To change this, start sending your dog signals that you are a leader and you will take over. Alpha signals Make sure that the dog is always behind you. When you walk, go from one room to another, in and out of the car. Start to go for a walk. When you put the leash on the dog and is very exalted, then ignore it, turn sideways and look away. When it calmes down, try again, and repeat your behavior if it is still very exalted. Try again. If it continues put the leash on the table and turn away from the dog. Wait until you can put the leash on the dog without a lot of exitement. Ignore any misbehavior. DON'T shout at the dog, just turn away instead. Now you have leash on the dog and approach the front door. Cut off the way for the dog, so that it can not get past you and take the lead. If it tries to get in front of you than use your leg to block the way. Start to walk, now where is the dog? If it pulls on the leash, then stand still. Take a few steps backwards, and get the dog behind you. Start to walk again. If the dog's nose passes your knee, block the road again. Walk a few steps backwards again and get it behind you. On the first trip you probably won't get very far. But soon your dog will realize that you are not goint anywhere unless you're leading the way. Timing is crucial. Do not wait until the dog is pulling the leash before you stop it. In this way it only learns to come back after pulling the leash. It must be stopped at the right time: as soon as the nose passes your knees. Be very consistent. If it still passes you after the 50th time, then repeat the process for the 50th time. Consistency and timing. Don't ever pull the leash. If you do that, you can start from scratch. Pretend that the leash is made of rubber. Continue sending alpha signals at home, everywhere, all the time. Food is an extremely strong signal. Anyone who can provide food is a leader. And the leader has the first right to food. It does not matter when the dog eats as long as it is clear that Alpha has taken what it wants and the dog has been allowed to eat. When you feed the dog take the dogs bowl, pretend that you take some of the dogs food and eat it (have something edible hidden in your hand). Then let the dog get his food. The dog will perceive it as left-overs from the leader. Remove the bowl after about 10 minutes. Never let the dog have food available for longer periods, as anyone who can provide food is leader. The leader takes all the initiative. If your dog takes the initiative, then ignore it. Do not let the dog make any decisions. If your dog gives you comes to you for attention, do you pat it? Probably. This way the dog is allowed to take the initiative. Instead, turn away when it happens and wait until the dog has stopped asking for attention. Show that you will pat the dog when you want to, not when it wants it. Respect it when your dog sends you signals of conflict resolution. When a dog turns its head away, it tries to tell you that it feels threatened and that it doesn't want conflict. Respect that and and turn away. Give the dog some space. Do not walk over to your dog to talk to it. You should take the initiative, so call the dog over to you, and then talk to it. Ignore an over-exicted dog trying to get your attention. If the dog jumps up at you, then turn your back. When the dog relaxes, then turn and invite the dog while using conflict resolution signals. This tells the dog that it is ok to get close to now. It's your initiative, not the dog's. In the wild, when a pack of dogs or wolves return from hunting, the leader will enter the pack ignoring them all. He carries his head and his tail high and the pack members only approach him when they have been invited. This is his right. Not a single member of the pack doubts who the boss is. Ignore your dog when you get home from work. Wait several minutes before inviting the contact. Do the same when you go from one room to another in the house. Does your dog lie in the middle of the doorway, where you must pass? Do you just walk over or around it? What do you think your dog is telling you? Exactly! "I am a leader here, you must go out of your way to get past me." When the dog lies in your way, then turn you face towards it and look directly in its eyes. This should make it move. If you have a more difficult case, then slide your feet under the dog and push it away. It is your right as leader to go anywhere without obstruction. Remember, if you want to be a good leader for your dog: You assume all responsability Provide food - eat first Keep the dog behind you, make it get in/out last Ignore all unwanted behavior Take Initiative Take the dogs favourite place Look the dog directly in eyes |
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