Being a trainer, I encounter a variety of behavioural issues that owners need help resolving. From leash pulling to interactions with other dogs, indoor behaviours, poor manners, toilet training, anxieties, aggression, and more.
The majority of mischievous dog behaviour is a result of habit - A habit is a routine or pattern of behaviour that occurs regularly, usually subconsciously once formed.
Habits can be developed out of necessity, such as a fear response to protect themselves from a past trauma. Identifying habits and patterns born from fear may not always be possible before they develop, but applying consistent and focused training can be beneficial to help soothe the dogs mind. It is recommended to seek help from a behaviourist to gain a thorough understanding of the trauma that has affected your dog's mind and behaviour.
Fear-based habits are exemplified in my Fox Red Labrador, Yara, whom I acquired from a farm when she was about 9 weeks old. Upon first sight, it was evident that something was amiss with Yara, but we felt compelled to bring her home. Once settled in, it became even more apparent how unwell Yara was: severely underweight, with dry and frazzled fur, a swollen belly, dirty ears, and watery stool. Following multiple vet visits and numerous tests, it was revealed that she was suffering from giardia, ear mites, and worms, all of which were contributing to her poor health. Fast forward to home life, Yara showed aggression towards food, other dogs, and fear when approached from the back or side, especially by men. It was evident she had been underfed, forced to fight for food, and potentially abused by a man. Yara's previous trauma resulted in various fear based habits inside and outside the house, such as lead and dog reactivity, fear of men, and strangers entering the house, we implemented clear and consistent training to manage her aggression and build her internal confidence.
Preventable habits on the other hand result from inconsistency and insufficient training. Such bad habits include; lead pulling, excessive barking, chewing, begging for food, jumping up etc. The familiar saying 'Give them an inch and they'll take a mile' applies to dogs and puppies as well. Without clear boundaries or guidance, dogs tend to establish their own rules that align with their immediate needs or desires. For instance, if your dog pulls like a steam train and ignores your commands, it is likely because you did not establish clear expectations early on. During walks, their primary desire is to sniff and gain information from the world around them, leading to pulling behaviour to satisfy their urge. When they are allowed to pull to sniff, this behaviour is reinforced positively, creating a recurring pattern and a nightmare for you.
Some behaviours that puppies exhibit, like jumping up to greet us, may appear charming and harmless when they are small and incapable of causing any harm. However, envisioning a scenario where a 35kg dog jumps on you can transform this cuteness into a more daunting experience. Establishing clear boundaries and direction when dealing with behaviours such as this is key to having a well rounded dog that knows what is allowed and when. For instance, Froid is allowed to jump up, but only when given the command 'up.' Given his large size and love for giving face licks, it was imperative to train him to perform this behaviour on command, ensuring the safety of those around him while allowing him to engage in his much loved actions.
Training is not about stopping your dog from doing the fun behaviours they love to do, it's about creating boundaries and clear direction so that safety is at the forefront, allowing them to be dogs.
Control = Safety = Freedom
Control is the implementation of boundaries, commands and direction over your dog
Safety is reinforcing those boundaries and commands in different situations and scenarios to ensure they are universally understood by the dog
Freedom is knowing that your dog has the skills and understanding of the boundaries and commands your have implemented and the trust that what you are asking for is necessary to keep them safe
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