Dog Obedience Training Problems: The Hidden Causes
A few days ago I got an emergency call from a client, Clare, about a dog fight. 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 was totally mystified about what caused the dogfight.
Clare was convinced that the issue “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, when a dog would enter the room, the other one would start growling.)
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.
It’s too bad, but the remodeling project was not going off without a hitch. Normally quiet and relaxed at home, instead Clare was tense and upset and had unhappy discussions with the subcontractor. And to make matters worse, this had been going on for a long time!
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. They pick up on what is happening in their environment and what their people are thinking, feeling, and 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.
Will this Now be a Permanent Shift in the Dogs’ Relationship?
No. The construction project is now over. There’s now, once again, peace in the house. Dog lessons and dog walks have restarted. 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.
Invite your dog with 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.
Now try adding some words, movement, or sounds to give your feelings a “physical” presence.
But, you don’t want to direct them at your dog! For the next 30 seconds, allow yourself to experience the emotions 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? Does the dog react more when you add words, feelings, and body language?
Now shift your thinking and start focusing on happy and exciting thoughts for 60 seconds. 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 an easy exercise to show the effect your attitude and voice has on a 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. Dogs absorb tension.
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. What you need to do is to figure out the reasons behind the sudden dominant behavior and then work to rebalance the relationship with training, changes in diet, exercise, doing more to assert yourself as pack leader, and getting in touch with a professional if things still aren’t working.
Also, be sure to go and download the free dog obedience training audio course (and the videos and workbooks) I mentioned above. They’ve helped thousands of dog owners get control of their dogs, and they’ll do the same for you!
Mail this post
Tags: dog obedience training, dog training, train a puppy, train your dog