Our society is riddled with trite, simplistic sayings that lead us into a hazy euphoria that we are certain to reach our goals by just loving, giving, and saying no. Dogs, like people, can have memories sublimated in their subconscious minds. A dog from a rescue situation who has experienced abuse, sickness, and hunger will appreciate the clean bed you bought him, your good food and your kindness, but what he really needs above all else is your leadership. Dogs are wired to be in a pack; the dog must know who the pack leader is; the pack leader must make the dog feel safe within the structure of the pack. He must see you as a provider who is generous when he earns his keep. Giving the dog a role or the trappings of a role (like sit before I give you your food) will give him a sense that he is a part of a whole, that he is needed.
At all cost avoid the rescuer mentality. This way of thinking keeps you feeling sorry for the abused dog forever. He becomes the abused and you become the rescuer. In this scenario the dog and the person cannot change because the relationship becomes symbiotic; i.e., one needs the other in order to be so no one can change. Keeping the dog an object of pity and the focus of your pity story will keep him dysfunctional forever. What he needs is confidence, training, and praise. He needs challenges and thoughtful socializing. Treat him like a mental cripple and he will remain a cripple. Your dog must see you as someone to respect, not as a gushing but empathetic fool. The dog perceives excessive affection as weakness; anytime he senses a lack of confidence in us, he will take control. If he is pulling and misbehaving on the street, look at your behaviour and your feelings. Are you confident? Do you feel fear? Your dog will pick up on this like the radar detector that he is and will act out.
You are not training your dog if you are simply reactive when he is behaving badly. You are training when you are building the confidence and understanding that the dog needs from the moment you get him in order to live without any fear and anxiety about his world and the things and experiences within it. Set the boundaries that will make him a good house pet. Exercise his mind daily with new toys or a new game or experience and help him accept these new things calmly and with skill. Make the rules he must abide by and be consistent about enforcing them. Give of your time to walk the dog. Exercise is important for all dogs, but essential for large active breeds. Did you choose a dog that you are capable of caring for? Being in the euphoric rescue mode can lead you to the wrong choice of size and temperament. The real leader will choose a dog to suit his physical ability and his temperament. The real leader will budget the money to keep his dog parasite free, health checked, and in for yearly shots.
If you think you need to improve as a leader, try keeping a journal of your daily interactions with your dog. Write about the details of what went on and what you might do to create change. Just going thoughtlessly along with the dog will set you up to fail. Quiet thoughtfulness and honesty will set you up to win. Love is just not enough. What is so often required is a level of problem solving based on intellect rather than emotion. Write the strategies in a journal and then evaluate their effectiveness, and remember, in this forum, “the dog ate my homework” will not be accepted as an excuse.
Next time: Why dost thou bark, cretin?
Ravinn O. West is kennelmaster and trainer at Ravendale Kennel and Training Centre at Cochrane, Alberta. Her latest book, The Tao of Dogs is available from www.ravinnwest.com You may send questions or comments to her via [email protected]
