By Candiss
DelCastillo
“In my ‘Behavioral HELP
for Dog’s’ seminars and 1 on 1 sessions, I start teaching with a sound foundation. During the course of our time together,
I build line upon line on that foundation until my students or clients have a
complete understanding of how to interact with their dog’s, so as to draw from
them the behavior they want, thus creating harmony in the home and the
neighborhood.
One
of the main reasons that dogs develop issues, is that we tend to humanize
them. Your dog doesn’t think he is
a human, you do! The
biological fact of the matter is that your dog is an animal and a dog. He will only do well in his
domesticated setting with you if you learn to treat him as such.
When
puppies are born, their mother gives birth to them in a fairly calm manner, yet
exudes her authority over her pups from day one. She is always about giving them the direction they need for
every phase in their development.
A dog responds submissively to a calm-assertive leader just as they did
to their mother. Remember, your
dog is looking to you for direction. It is in your best interest to take advantage of that! He may need to be reconditioned in some
areas but don’t relent. He will
come around in time as you introduce these changes.
The
best way to understand your dog’s innate behavior is to observe wolves. Close kin to dogs, the wolf’s DNA is
barely any different. They are
pack and den animals and follow a pack leader, which is usually a male,
however, sometimes a wolf couple lead the pack as a team.
The
pack leader always initiates, leads, walks in front of the pack, tells the
group when they will be stopping to rest, and when they can come in and eat off
of the kill. The rest of the pack
has their order on down the line to the Omega wolf (the lowest in rank). The pack doesn’t separate unless there
is a nursing female who needs to stay back with the pups. A pack isn’t a pack unless they are
moving forward together for food which can sometimes take them up to 150 miles
a day!
This
little biology lesson has a tremendous value for you even if you own a Toy
Poodle. It is a dog’s nature for a
dog to walk with his pack leader (you) every day. It is as essential as flying to a bird or swimming to a
fish.
Now,
let’s equate this to your role with your dog. You are the pack leader in his domesticated life. You, not your dog make the decisions as
to how things are going to go in your home while he lives with you. It is absolutely essential that you
take your dog out for a walk a minimum of once a day for 3 minutes, but 2 - 3
times a day is best and for longer if possible.
NOTE:
(If you are not physically able to walk your dog due to a physical handicap and
don’t have other people living with you, then hire a walker. In the nicer weather you can roll down
the street with them if you are wheelchair bound. You can learn to hold the leash after a time, but make sure
you always have someone with you who can intervene if your dog takes off. Never go alone.)
The
kind of walk I am referring to here is a structured walk in which, just as in
a wolf pack , you have your dog
slightly behind and next to you.
He is not out in front of you.
The dynamics you want to glean from this exercise has several
benefits: 1) It puts you in the
position of Leader. 2) This
is your dogs highest form of connecting with you. To him this is the ultimate
bonding, not affection as you might think. I will address the proper place for affection in another
article at a later time. 3) It’s
good exercise for both of you. You
are draining your dog’s nervous/toxic energy which will reduce his need to
partake in the neurotic, nuisance, destructive, or potentially dangerous
behaviors. 4) It acquaints him
with his surroundings.
At
the halfway point in your walk give him some roam room to sniff, lift, squat
and play. Don’t let your dog off
leash unless you are absolutely certain that you will get him back. Be responsible and always bring a poo
bag with you.
Upon
returning home your dog is ready for any obedience commands or behavior
modification you may want to work on with him. His mind is clear and he has bonded with you. He is ready to be responsive. And now the fun part. Affection! He’s earned it and so have you. This can be your play time in full measure! It is also now time for his feeding,
which I will cover in depth in the next article.
When
you re-train your thinking, you can train your dog. It takes commitment and consistency on you and your family’s
part, not perfection. Be gentle
with yourself as you take on some new disciplines to get this job done. Give it time, and enjoy the journey.
Good
Success to you!
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