What Really Causes Dog Obedience Training Issues?
Posted on July 30th, 2010 by doggielover
Last Wednesday I received an emergency message from a client, Clare, about a dogfight. Normally her two young dogs are best friends, but last week there was a big-time dogfight.
Because she was worried that this might repeat itself, Clare asked for my help. She told me that she had no clue what might have precipitated the dogfight.
Clare’s impression was that the problem simply “came out of nowhere!”
But when it comes to dog obedience training, in reality there were definite reasons why her dogs lost control, and dog behavior signs that indicated the dogs were getting edgy with each other. (For example, one of her dogs started growling when the other dog came in the room.)
Before I share the rest of the story, I’d like you to go and download this free dog obedience training audio course that I’ve put together for you. This audio course alone can solve some of the most common dog obedience issues most people are faced with, but I’m also going to throw in 16 dog training videos, 5 dog training manuals, and a lot more free stuff to help you out. Please go do that now.
Back to the story.
When Clare and I spoke, I had to remind her that her house was undergoing a significant renovation. Even when everything goes perfect, having strangers in your house ripping things apart creates chaos.
Unfortunately for Clare things were not going smoothly during the remodeling. Although Clare was someone who would normally be quite relaxed at home, now she was anxious and tense and would have heated arguments with her contractor. But what’s even worse is that this had been going on for weeks!
So What Made Clare’s Dogs Do This?
Clare said, “But my dogs like each other! Her dogs normally play and sleep together with no problems.”
The plain truth is… dogs do not live in a vacuum. Dogs can definitely sense what’s going on in their environment and what you may be thinking, feeling, or experiencing. Clare’s dogs:
1. Watched Clare (who is usually calm) verbally confront a subcontractor many times,
2. Felt her unhappiness, anxiety, and anger,
3. Lived in remodeling chaos,
4. Missed dog classes, and
5. Wasn’t getting enough exercise. (Because it had been so hot for the past few weeks, Clare neglected to take them on their usual walks and simply let them run in her backyard instead.)
Any of those reasons alone probably would not have triggered a fight, but when stacked on top of each other, the increasing level of stress broke down the relationship between two formerly friendly dogs.
Is This A Permanent Rift In The Dogs’ Relationship?
No. The remodeling project is finished now. Peace is back in the house. The dog lessons and the regular walks have resumed. It will take a little time, but things between the two dogs will go smoothly again.
Ask Yourself What Emotional Messages Are You Sending To Your Dog?
If you want to see how your emotions affect your dogs try this exercise from my book, Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right.
Ask the dog to join you in a room. Close the door. Take a seat on the floor. Do not talk, move, or gesture but think angry and unhappy thoughts for the first minute.
Then you want to add actual words, other sounds, and even body language to express your feelings.
But, don’t direct them towards your dog! During the next 30 seconds… feel the emotion pouring out.
* Does the dog exhibit feelings of being anxious, does he approach you, avoid you, or ignore you?
* Does the dog’s reaction change? Notice whether or not your dog has a stronger reaction once you add feelings, sound and body language?
Now change and think happy and excited thoughts for one minute. Then you want to add actual words, other sounds, and even body language to express your feelings. But, you don’t want to direct them at your dog! Now for the next 30 seconds or so, use a voice that’s happy…feel those emotions.
* Does the dog come up to you, avoid you, get nervous, or ignore you?
* Does the dog’s reaction change? Notice whether or not your dog has a stronger reaction once you add feelings, sound and body language?
This is a simple way to show you just how much of an impact your voice and attitude has on your dog. When you are stressed or upset due to a bad day at work, a fight with a neighbor or son, or an accident where you trip and hit your shin against the table, your dog feels it. Tension is something that dogs absorb.
There are certain signs of dominant behaviors that demand quick action, such as one dog putting his chin on another dog’s shoulders, snarling or growling if another dog enters the room, guarding a toy or a food bowl, or ears or a tail that is very erect. Search out the reasons behind this assertion of dominance and bring the relationships back into balance with training, food changes, regular exercise, increasing your presence as leader of the pack, and calling a professional when you just can’t figure it out.
Also, be sure to go and download the free dog obedience training audio course (and the videos and workbooks) I mentioned above. These tools have helped many thousands of dog owners understand why their dogs act the way they do, and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you!
