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Leading Your Dog into Good Behavior
Featured in Boulder Dogs – Fall 2007
By Tenderfoot Training
Have you
ever wondered “Is there one thing I could do to solve my dog’s
behavior problems?” Too often people think the magic pill lies in
using a fancy new device, or buying more tasty treats to create a change in
their dog’s behavior, when in fact, making a change in your
relationship with your dog is all you need to do. As in any relationship
this translates to: love, trust and respect – from your dog’s
perspective this comes down to your leadership skills. When you become
a clear, loving, confident leader your dog’s behavior will shape right
up.
Often
people think that fixing a barking problem means dealing only with the
barking itself, but the bad behavior is merely the symptom of a larger
problem –a lack of clear leadership and structure in your dog’s
life. Your dogs behavior issues are like the bricks of a house, those bricks
must lay on a strong foundation – YOU are the foundation. Your
relationship with your dog is what teaches him how to behave in the
world. If you have not taken the time to create clear leadership and
set good boundaries then it is like building a house with a weak foundation
– when the groundwork is weak the structure is going to be weak and
there will be cracks in the walls. You must go back to basics and fix
the foundation – your relationship.
Leadership
can be easily be translated to parenting. A good parent provides love, shelter and food, but a great parent engages the
child’s mind, teaches her to make good decisions in life, and gives her
emotional support and confidence. It is the exactly the same with your
dog.
Great
leadership means that you are involved with your dog’s activities,
engaging his mind and helping him to make good choices. Too often
people take their dog for granted and assume that as long as he is
housetrained and no longer chewing on things then the dog is free to do as he
pleases 24/7. The humans become housemates or buddies – not
leaders - they are just hanging out together, and the more free time a dog
has the more likely he is to be independent, insecure or impatient.
Just as any other sentient being, dogs need interaction; they crave attention
and things to keep their minds busy. If you do not take the time and
energy to engage your dogs mind then he will find other things to do to
entertain him – like barking, chewing, digging, pulling, lunging, etc.
Simply
engaging your dog makes them more cooperative and calmer, you become a
leader, and he gains confidence with understanding. As much as you love
your dog, you need to lead him as well. Our simple motto is “Love
them and Lead them”.
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