The #1 reason that people have when training their dogs is that they get overwhelmed. The reason is too much information from too many sources. In this article we will explain how simple dogs are by identifying the 5 things that they really care about. By controlling these things in calm, assertive, and non-verbally you can turn any pup or rescue into a BARK (Balanced And Relaxed K-9).
Food– no surprise here right? The first thing they do after they are born is nurse and it continues from there. They are always looking for something to eat. ALL food must come from you with the mindset that it is your food, you are done with it and they can have it. Food is by far the biggest flashpoint when it comes to dog aggression whether it is against another dog or a human. If your dog guards, barks, growls or bites if you attempt to take their food away when they are eating you need professional help now. Every time a human reaches for their food and they respond aggressively and the human backs away you are cementing that behavior. You know it’s bad when you won’t even try to take it or they can back you away with only a look. That is how they are supposed to respond to you, not to them.
Water– yes water, dogs are always looking for ways to show their dominance especially over other dogs. It is usually done by just drinking as much as they can as fast as they can. If you have a pack and they are kept separate while feeding, which I practice. It makes since that they will sometimes guard water because it is the next resource on the list. Because there’s nothing to carry away it seldom causes aggression but is another are you can manage to keep the dog focused on you.
Space– this is the big one that people are blind to. It is a big one because it is alway going on. Whether you dog is pushing out a door in front of you, walking in front of you on the leashing, or refusing to move off your bed or furniture when you walk in the room, it is all about space. It drives me crazy when I see people walk around their dogs. You are giving them your space, all space in their world should be your space. They are doing this constantly to see what your reaction is. If your dog is in front of you, gently push through them with your legs until they step aside. You should alway be the first on in or out of door. If you find that your dog is always sitting in your favorite spot when you walk into the living room and not jumping down when they see you, they have you trained and are showing dominance. You share your space with they dog, not the other way around. The same is true with the bedroom. We love our dogs (all five of them) sleeping with us. My Olde English Bulldogge Odin in our Alpha and since he was a puppy if he is in bed with my wife he has been taught to jump down, let me get in and settled and wait for the command to get back up. Things are so much easier when you have a pack because you really only need to identify and manage your Alpha. If done correctly, if anyone gets out of line your Alpha can put them back in line with just a look. If your dog shows any aggression when you attempt to move them you need to seek professional help. We have plenty of clients who were basically being held hostage in their own house by their dogs.
Possessions– this usually comes in the forms of toys whether they be store bought or improvised (article coming on that soon). After food this is the biggest flashpoint for aggression. You cannot allow your dog to claim ownership of an item. This can very easily turn obsessive and become dangerous. Again your dog needs to know that nothing they have is theirs, it’s yours and you give it to them or let them use. You give it and you take it away. We call this possession aggression, dogs often use items as a tool to assert dominance. How often have you seen a dog take something, refuse to give it away and go to a place where you cannot reach them? It one small act they are controlling a possession and space. Too often dog owners turn this into a game with dangerous results. Many dogs who under normal circumstances would not bite will do so when protecting a possession in a “cave” if you reach in. Keep in mind every time you hesitate or have to fight to get a dangerous behavior is being reinforced. It is best that all puppy’s from a very young age be taught play tug of war with a rope. You want to really get them going. Then all of a sudden stop moving, tell them to “give”. If they don’t immediately do so, simply put your thumb in the hinge of their jaw and push back until they do. This conditioner them that no matter how excited they are and what is going on, when they hear “give” their mouth immediately pops open. If you lose your temper and fight to take it away you are only encouraging the behavior.
Attention– stop kissing your dogs but for just existing! If my dog brings me a toy, I tell him to go get something else and we will play. If my dog won’t stop pestering me to play, I ignore him. When he goes over and lays down I get him up and initiate play. You don’t have to do this all the time but the more interaction you control the more your dog will respond to you and the calmer and more relaxed they will be.
One of the biggest things that fosters separation anxiety is owners making a big deal when they leave or come home. They turn this into a big event. This is great for humans not for dogs. It causes lots of anxiety. In a pack the Alpha goes and comes as he wishes and doesn’t answer to anyone. They turn around and he gone, they turn around again he is back. They are desensitized to it. Try it, you will like the results.
Remember, success with your dog is like everything else in life, it’s about the little things you do consistently, not the big things you do once in awhile.