Dog Behaviors
Psychology of the Dog
We as humans tend to humanize our pets. We love them as if they were family, because in fact, they are. However, dogs are not human, and they do not think in human terms. As such, we can not interact with them as if they were human. Dogs do not posses the ability to comprehend the intricate subtleties of human interaction. If you do not clearly establish yourself as the leader, they will revert back to their animalistic ways.
It is our responsibility to teach them how to conduct themselves in the world we have chosen to share with them. We must not forget that we have domesticated this animal to suit our own personal needs. The definition of domesticate is to; “tame a wild animal over generations of breeding to live in close association with human beings as a pet or work animal and usually creating a dependency so that the animal loses its ability to survive in the wild.”
The Next Step
Having successfully accomplished this objective, and further, having made a conscious decision to bring a dog into our homes and make it a part of the family, it becomes our responsibility to adequately provide for the care and well-being of our pets. Moreover, we have a responsibility to our neighbors, the community and to society in general in regards to how we allow our dogs to behave.
Dogs, like humans, have unique personalities and behaviors specific to each individual dog. Regardless of breed, no two dogs are exactly alike. However, one thing is certain – if left to their own devices, without competent leadership from us humans, any dog will revert back to its inherent wild nature. For this reason, it is incumbent upon us to maintain control over our dogs at all times. Whether in the home, in the yard, or at the park. The responsibility is ours and ours alone.
Human Handling
Too often we fail to consider how the handling(or mishandling) of our dog can impact the lives of those around us. For instance, if your fenced dog goes crazy every time someone walks past the yard, is that harmless? The truth of the matter is that it’s not. To begin, we need to consider the nuisance factor. Why should anyone be subjected to a verbal thrashing for simply walking down the street? Perhaps it’s the neighbor kid walking the new puppy. Now we’re presented with a dual situation – a young child wary of your Rambo dog, and a spooked puppy that becomes skittish, cowardly, and reluctant to socialize with other dogs. Not good. These common scenarios are a direct result of the mishandling of our dogs. We have either put the dog in a leadership position, or improperly socialized and as a result, the dog is now making decisions that should be left to you.
The Leash – A Crucial Tool for Dog Training
During the training process, it’s essential to keep a leash on your dog whenever they are not in their kennel. A dog’s training is not complete until they are proficient in both on-leash and off-leash commands. Regrettably, many dog owners attempt off-leash training prematurely, neglecting the fundamental on-leash commands. The leash serves as our primary means of communicating with our dogs, making it the most vital tool in our training arsenal. Without a leash in hand, we forfeit any influence over our dog’s behavior.
It’s unreasonable to expect our puppies to excel off-leash when we haven’t established the foundation for our expectations while on the leash. In fact, this is often where problems arise. Dogs may bolt out the door, chase after people on the street, engage in conflicts with other dogs, or, in the worst-case scenario, bite someone. All of these situations can be prevented through proper dog handling and the consistent use of a leash.
Tampa Bay, FL
AlphA and Omega Dog Training
(813) 444-7699
