I have been contacted by more and more people concerned their dog is aggressive. They may even state they have a “red zone dog.” Here’s an article I wrote on this subject. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s behavior.
I don’t think I’ll lose business by this post. At least, I hope I don’t! I just wanted to share something. . .what if a lot of what you needed to know about dog training, you already know? I know you don’t think this is true, and I hope you never do!
However, the reason I write this is because as the sometimes-common-sense-trainer that I am, I meet men in the military who command respect from hundreds and are at a loss with how to deal with their dog. Mothers of teenage children who sit in wonder as their dog misbehaves.
I suggest you still work with a trainer and behaviorist, AND as you do, think of your state of mind when you are in control in other areas of your life. Dogs are extremely in tune with our energy. If they had words, they would be great counselors for us as they reflect back to us what they sense we are feeling.
I know the reason. . .when we get in from work or dealing with other aspects of life, we want to curl up with our dog and not have to be in charge. With some dogs, you can get by; however, this isn’t usually the case. Dogs need guidance and structure. Rules to live by, so to speak. Someone will be making the rules, and it should be you!
So, regardless of the form of training you choose, remember you may already know a lot of what you need to know to train your dog.
Dogs and cats can be great friends. Maybe the friendship isn’t one of true admiration but more of a tolerance mixed with a little respect. Maybe, a growl is just a growl…Melody and her little brother, Mac, respond to a question from a cat who loves a dog and the dog doesn’t share the affection – yet.
Anthropomorphism is a word that means to assign human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects. Humanizing a dog happens all too often as their human swears, “my dog doesn’t know he’s a dog!” I assure you he does. Here’s an article featured in the Seattle Times about this topic. I agree with Cesar Millan on this one.
Very few dogs won’t find enjoyment in a belly rub or any rub for that matter. They are also very smart. They learn quickly that if you ask them to do something – sit, stay, down, etc., and they choose to roll over for a belly rub, we fall for it. “Ah, they’re being submissive.” Maybe not. Why wouldn’t they drop and roll over for a belly rub if it means they don’t have to do as asked?
I do laugh when my dogs are resting and they will start to show me their belly when I’m only walking by to close the blinds or do something else. They don’t want to miss the chance that I will give them a pet so if I’m anywhere within sight, there’s a good chance I’ll see their movement and stop by for a rub.
I have met some dogs who will not show you their belly because they can’t risk making themselves too vulnerable. Is this action something they need to do or have to do for you to feel they are submissive? Absolutely not! Their touch of choice may be a scratch on the neck.
Just as a pat on the head or a rub of the ears is affection, remember that a belly rub is too. You decide when it is appropriate to respond. If not, your day will be filled with a dog’s nose lifting up your hand or arm for your affection. Begging for affection may be cute, but that’s about all. It is still begging.
Our dogs deserve our affection, it’s up to us to decide when!
It’s important to create an environment and life for your dog that will assist them in being well adjusted. You want your dog(s) to be independent and confident. It seems that some people think an insecure dog will love them more. The dog may need you, but don’t confuse their need for you with their love for you.
It’s so nice to be able to leave for a weekend, a week, or even longer and know your dog(s) will be content in the care of someone else. You will be missed; however, don’t expect to find their journal filled with loving thoughts of you. A happy, secure, content dog will adjust much better to your absence. You, on the other hand, may need to see their happy faces to feel secure.
Here’s two well-adjusted dogs, Cody and Xena, on stay-cation while their Dads were away. They missed them, but I think they did ok. . .
Michael Vick appeared on 60 Minutes as a way of showing remorse for his contribution to the horrible animal abuse that is dog fighting. As Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, writes in his blog, “It’s about the dogs, and it always will be.” It’s important to look to the future and not get stuck in the past. However, it is also important to remember that this wasn’t just dog fighting. Vick was responsible for dogs being hung, shot, and drowned. Most of us couldn’t live with ourselves with witnessing it, let alone doing it.
Michael Vick has a lot of words about what he will do. If truly remorseful, he certainly can make a huge difference in the lives of a lot of Pits and hundreds of the children who are learning to fight them. Let’s see if he will.
Read Wayne’s Blog Post here.
I’ve mentioned previously that the best trainer for a dog is another dog. I have been working to socialize Suki, a 9-month-old Pekingese, to be comfortable in new surroundings. She is horribly afraid of new sounds and hyper-sensitive to unfamiliar movement and objects.
I called in Mac-Nanny, my Labradoodle, to help Suki be a dog. The video shows how playing with Mac let Suki relax and have a little fun!
As a behaviorist, I have my opinion on what to do when a dog jumps on guests at the door. However, my dog, Melody, asked if she could respond to this one. Here’s what she has to say:
How does he do it? How does Cesar walk into the room and gain the respect of dog and human? Does he have a special gift known only to him. So, what is it?
The “secret” – his presence and energy. It is what he knows. It’s a deeper knowing than the knowledge that is gained from studying but more of a real understanding combined with absolute confidence in a desired outcome. When you know that you know, you present yourself differently. You don’t second guess your actions.
Cesar walks into a room with the state of mind that he is is control. There’s no magic formula or special power in his trademark “sh” sound as he confidently corrects or diverts a dog’s attention. Most trainers/behaviorists have had the same or at least a very similar experience. He definitely has an understanding of dogs and almost more importantly, their relationship with humans.
I have been called to training appointments and walk in to see the human moving their hand in a claw shape toward the dog’s neck as they “sh.” The dog does nothing but look at them as if to say, “what the heck was that?” There’s only one Cesar, and I’m confident your dog will respond to you once you have placed yourself in the role of pack leader and provided consistent structure and guidance.
Using a human comparison, if you give someone the cold shoulder, they know it without you saying a word. It’s your energy they feel – they know not to mess with you. Dogs are no different and if anything, are even more in tune with our intentions and thoughts toward them.
I speak of this in a recent article, by asking the question, what travels down your leash?
Cesar is definitely gifted and his success with the dogs he chooses to work with comes from his knowing that the dog will respect and respond accordingly. If you can adopt and apply this thought to your training, you will see results. It’s a bit like the saying, “fake it until you make it.”
The sooner you know your dog will respond as expected, the sooner they will!
