Dogs love a lot of things. They love treats, back scratches, tummy rubs, long walks, playing tug, rough housing, and much more. In the world of a dog, it takes a variety of things to keep balanced. What most people find surprising, is that dogs love to work. Their brains love the challenge of being asked to walk beside rather than in front of you. Their self-confidence can sky-rocket from the simple task of getting the paper for mom. Finally, both your and their brains release positive chemicals from getting love and massages.
Your dog has his own unique ways of fulfilling his or her own balance. For example, your active border collie might have a herding need, your rat terrier might have a hunting need, and your basset hound might have a seeking need. How do you know what your dog really wants? Look at what he/she likes. Does your dog spin in circles when excited? Likely your pet has a need to run, and would love a high speed sprint with the roller blades. Does your pet nip your ankles when frustrated? It could be that your dog would be a natural herder and would revel in the chance to round up some chickens. When you are on a walk, does your dog continually pull towards a new thing to sniff? He/she probably has a seeking need, and would benefit from some time off leash to simply explore. Your dog does not love what he loves for no reason. He loves them because they bring happiness and balance to his life. The challenge then becomes distinguishing if your pet really loves the activities and is happier because of them, or if there is an obsession or fixation.
An example: Annie was a golden retriever who loved to chase the ball. Any chance she got her focus would be locked in and there was nothing else she would think about besides the ball. She would run until she dropped and ignore the world when a ball was around. This told me that Annie was a natural born retriever, so that should be a part of her life, but there was something else missing. Annie's life lacked balance. She spent the majority of her life cooped up in a kennel and rarely if ever go the chance to experience a mental challenge. She needed more exercise every day, but even more than that, she needed discipline. The psychology of a dog is one that requires something to do. When dogs have too much monotony in their life they often develop bad habits or obsessions.
Annie's cure would have come in the form of a daily walk during which she was expected to stay firmly by her walker's side and listen to their cues throughout. This exercise of walking with the owner in a slightly subordinate manner is healthy, as it gives them a sense of purpose and requires focus to maintain. There is also a strong safety element here, as a dog that is not in control while walking can injure itself, its handler, and others. These exercises should be followed by period of affection where handler and dog simply enjoy the relaxed company of one another and some form of verbal, physical, of food form of affirmation can be given.
It is important to fulfill your dog, and give clear and balanced guidance. Your dog will thank you by behaving in a manner than improves your daily life.
In conclusion I find that almost all cases of dogs I come across with behavior issues need either exercise or new mental challenge, if you are experiencing issues with your pet tap into their needs and see what you might be missing before turning to trainers or experts.
Your dog has his own unique ways of fulfilling his or her own balance. For example, your active border collie might have a herding need, your rat terrier might have a hunting need, and your basset hound might have a seeking need. How do you know what your dog really wants? Look at what he/she likes. Does your dog spin in circles when excited? Likely your pet has a need to run, and would love a high speed sprint with the roller blades. Does your pet nip your ankles when frustrated? It could be that your dog would be a natural herder and would revel in the chance to round up some chickens. When you are on a walk, does your dog continually pull towards a new thing to sniff? He/she probably has a seeking need, and would benefit from some time off leash to simply explore. Your dog does not love what he loves for no reason. He loves them because they bring happiness and balance to his life. The challenge then becomes distinguishing if your pet really loves the activities and is happier because of them, or if there is an obsession or fixation.
An example: Annie was a golden retriever who loved to chase the ball. Any chance she got her focus would be locked in and there was nothing else she would think about besides the ball. She would run until she dropped and ignore the world when a ball was around. This told me that Annie was a natural born retriever, so that should be a part of her life, but there was something else missing. Annie's life lacked balance. She spent the majority of her life cooped up in a kennel and rarely if ever go the chance to experience a mental challenge. She needed more exercise every day, but even more than that, she needed discipline. The psychology of a dog is one that requires something to do. When dogs have too much monotony in their life they often develop bad habits or obsessions.
Annie's cure would have come in the form of a daily walk during which she was expected to stay firmly by her walker's side and listen to their cues throughout. This exercise of walking with the owner in a slightly subordinate manner is healthy, as it gives them a sense of purpose and requires focus to maintain. There is also a strong safety element here, as a dog that is not in control while walking can injure itself, its handler, and others. These exercises should be followed by period of affection where handler and dog simply enjoy the relaxed company of one another and some form of verbal, physical, of food form of affirmation can be given.
It is important to fulfill your dog, and give clear and balanced guidance. Your dog will thank you by behaving in a manner than improves your daily life.
In conclusion I find that almost all cases of dogs I come across with behavior issues need either exercise or new mental challenge, if you are experiencing issues with your pet tap into their needs and see what you might be missing before turning to trainers or experts.
