THREE RULES FOR A WELL BEHAVED DOG!
By Louise Thompson Accredited Animal Behaviour Consultant (ABC of SA ©®™)
1. Consistency:
Communication between different species is not an easy task, especially when one species can talk and the other can't! Inconsistency makes that task all the more difficult. By adopting consistent behaviours in yourself, setting consistent, gentle, boundaries, and keeping some sort of consistent routine - your dog will have an easier job of figuring out what you expect.
2. Lead by example:
Dogs tend to mimic our actions. Don't rely on them interpreting our intentions correctly. If we yell at our dog for being aggressive, this can lead to more aggression from our dog. They don't necessarily understand that we are angry and upset with their actions, they just follow our lead. When we learn calm approaches to dealing with this sort of problem, our lead is followed with calmness in return.
3. Reward good behaviour not bad!
Only react to behaviour that you want repeated. Ignore all bad or unwanted behaviour - only react to good or desired behaviour. Behaviour that is effectively rewarded tends to increase or continue. Therefore, it makes sense to reward the behaviour we want to see in our dogs. In the same way we get paid to work, our dogs expect to be paid too. Life in the pack works that way; food, security, shelter, play and social contact are the rewards dogs work for. Whilst our pet dogs get most of this stuff for free, it makes sense to ask them to do something to earn it, no matter how simple the task. Asking a dog to sit before letting it outside, or asking for a short 'stay' before being fed are two simple examples.
By adopting these three qualities, and making them habits in your day to day interaction with your dogs, you will see positive changes in your relationship.
Dogs do respect these qualities and respond in kind with faithful companion
Communication between different species is not an easy task, especially when one species can talk and the other can't! Inconsistency makes that task all the more difficult. By adopting consistent behaviours in yourself, setting consistent, gentle, boundaries, and keeping some sort of consistent routine - your dog will have an easier job of figuring out what you expect.
2. Lead by example:
Dogs tend to mimic our actions. Don't rely on them interpreting our intentions correctly. If we yell at our dog for being aggressive, this can lead to more aggression from our dog. They don't necessarily understand that we are angry and upset with their actions, they just follow our lead. When we learn calm approaches to dealing with this sort of problem, our lead is followed with calmness in return.
3. Reward good behaviour not bad!
Only react to behaviour that you want repeated. Ignore all bad or unwanted behaviour - only react to good or desired behaviour. Behaviour that is effectively rewarded tends to increase or continue. Therefore, it makes sense to reward the behaviour we want to see in our dogs. In the same way we get paid to work, our dogs expect to be paid too. Life in the pack works that way; food, security, shelter, play and social contact are the rewards dogs work for. Whilst our pet dogs get most of this stuff for free, it makes sense to ask them to do something to earn it, no matter how simple the task. Asking a dog to sit before letting it outside, or asking for a short 'stay' before being fed are two simple examples.
By adopting these three qualities, and making them habits in your day to day interaction with your dogs, you will see positive changes in your relationship.
Dogs do respect these qualities and respond in kind with faithful companion
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