Dogs do need boundaries – and that includes consideration for others. They need to be taught respect for others and they need to understand that there are consequences to obnoxious behaviour
Love is not enough
Yesterday I saw a dog who tried to attack some chickens behind a fence. The owner yanked the dog back, shouting at it, then smacked it.
I was driving, otherwise I might have said something I’d regret.
A new report came out yesterday saying that dogs taught through positive methods are calmer and happier than dogs taught with punitive methods, who can be anxious and depressed.
You may not be surprised at that – neither was I. But love and affection are not enough and neither our dogs nor our children should be allowed to just do as they want.
That results in children who have grown up feeling entitled, that they can behave as they want, and more and more out of control dogs, running up to any person or dog they see and causing mayhem. All behaving like louts.
Positive doesn’t mean permissive
Of course you shouldn’t hit, smack or yank dogs or children, or use prong or shock collars or any other equipment that can hurt your dog.
But they do need boundaries.
And that includes consideration for others.
They need to be taught respect for others – and yes, I’m talking about both dogs and children here.
They need to understand that there are consequences to obnoxious behaviour.
Dogs who don’t come back need to stay on a lead. Dogs who run and bark along fences need to be kept inside unless the owner can be there teaching the dog an acceptable way to behave.
Dogs who jump all over visitors should understand they won’t be allowed to get close to visitors unless they are calm. Dogs who rave at passers-by through windows should not be allowed the opportunity. And so on.
Perhaps the chicken-lunging dog owner could have prevented or managed the incident better. If they knew their dog might try and attack the chickens, they could have crossed the road, or as soon as they noticed their dog start to react, shortened their lead and walked by quickly, rewarding their dog for all calm behaviour, instead of reacting angrily. Then they should do some (positive) training to teach their dog to ignore chickens in future.
Doggy Doctor Discussions to the rescue!
If you want to know more about how dogs learn best, how to manage them when they misbehave and how to train them to do what you want, why not join us at the next Doggy Doctor Discusses on Wednesday 13th October?
We’re going to be talking about that common and annoying problem, barking. We’ll chat about why your dog may bark and what to do about it.
Watch out for more details soon.
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
