Whether you have a new puppy or are adopting an adult dog, part of being a responsible dog-owner is teaching them how to approach new situations, people and pups with confidence and calm. The more your dog is socialized, the less stress they will feel about heading out with you on an adventure!
Understanding the difference between aggressive and reactive behaviour is key to choosing the right dog training and changing your dog’s behaviour.
Dogs definitely feel emotions however when you view a dog as having human emotions you overcomplicate things. This can lead to a communication breakdown and challenges in your relationship and training.
Dogs contribute to better mental health just by being themselves! The routine, sense of purpose, physical activity and companionship they bring to your life are all extremely helpful for coping with depression or anxiety.
As a responsible dog owner, keeping your dog safe is always a top priority. Creating superstitious fears to make the most of your dog’s natural tendency to avoid things that are scary or uncomfortable is an effective way to help your dog feel secure and safe within the boundaries you, his owner, have set for him.
To correct resource guarding behaviour you first need to understand why your dog is exhibiting this behaviour. More often than not, resource guarding is due to anxiety, insecurity and fear rather than aggression. Assess your dog’s needs and choose an approach to restore their confidence and sense of security to eliminate resource guarding behaviours.
Losing a dog is never easy but making those tough choices is part of being a good dog owner. Willow the Doberman will always have a special place in my heart.
Major the Doberman taught me two valuable lessons about the importance of understanding dog behaviour and communication. Both have been applied to my dog training philosophy today.
Ineke is a dog trainer in Peterborough helping dog owners live cohesively with their canine companions. She specializes in aggressive dogs, training dogs to become off leash reliable and service dog public access training.
