How to Understand and respect your dog
- Your dog needs to be a dog
This can be a hard thing for people to do because we tend to treat cute things like human babies. The problem is dogs are neither humans nor babies, but we can teach them all kinds of bad behaviours if we try to reason or deal with them the same way we would children.You can’t reason with a dog beyond simple behaviour and reward interactions
— “ sit now, reward now.”
But these have to be immediate. You could never tell a dog, “If you don’t tear up the couch in the next five hours while we aren’t home, I’ll give you a steak for dinner.” Your dog won’t understand most of what you’ve said.
- If your anxious so will your dog be
Dogs reflect our energy back to us, that’s why it’s important for us to be calm. Show me a nervous owner, and I can guarantee, they have worried, insecure dogs.
Why? Because your dog senses your uncertainty in a situation and responds accordingly. Some dogs become defensive or aggressive and try to protect you. Others become frightened or skittish, trying to get away from dangers they perceive because they’re reading it in your energy.
One common instance for this to happen is when someone is walking their dog and sees someone with a dog coming toward them. They fear a confrontation or a fight, so they tense up on the leash. They may even abruptly cross the street. What they don’t do is continue forward quietly and confidently.
All this sudden tension sends a signal to the dog: “Danger!” It’s not only the best way to make your dog suddenly focus on the other dog, but the quickest way to set those two dogs up to get into a barking match — or worse — with each other.
- Make your dog earn rewards
What happens when you give kids rewards they didn’t earn? If you do it too often, they come to expect it, they become spoiled and demand to get gifts all the time.
This is one area where dogs are similar to kids. If your dog never has to earn a treat or a meal, they not only come to expect to get it for nothing, but they think they’re the ones in charge of you.
But if you teach your dog to work for what they want, you’ll teach them to be obedient and well-behaved. This is a great way to build there confidence and make them happy, because it gives dogs an opportunity to figure something out and to show you how smart they are.
It’s a double reward, really. Your dog gets to feel happy about having performed, and he gets to enjoy the treat. It’s a win-win for both of you.
- Keep your dog healthy
I must stress the importance of regularly taking your dog to the vet, making sure that she or he has been neutered or spayed, and is current on vaccinations, flea treatments, and tooth-cleaning.
Prevention is better than a cure. Dogs and people are exactly the same when it comes to medical care.
It can also be good for your own mental health. Caring for a sick pet can be just as stressful as caring for a sick human.
- Help other dogs
Whether you have a dog or not, you can still help dogs.
- Become a foster carer .
- You could adopt a dog from dog rescue or RSPCA, or you can volunteer at your local rescue.
- You can also make a donation to the RSPCA or dog rescue centres, are things you can consider contributing.
You can get involved by contacting your local politician or councillor to encourage pet-positive and dog-friendly changes to laws,
- like finding ways to get your local dog centres to convert to 100% no-kill policies.
- If there’s a need and you’re ambitious, you can try to start a dog park in your neighbourhood,
- or keep it simple and start a local dog-walking group.
- And, finally, help educate your friends and family about the importance of spaying and neutering in order to end pet overpopulation.
Enjoy your dog, and appreciate what dogs bring to our lives!
Relax, appreciate and respect your dog!
The Dog Whisperer..
