The scariest and most serious problem behaviors often result from poor socialization. Socialization is an umbrella term that really refers to the adoption of beliefs that make a dog suitable for human-social interaction. This information only "sticks" permanently if taught before 4 months of age, with a few repetitions before 6 months of age. After that, we have to frequently remind dogs of these ideas to keep them "believing".
How could you show your dog these ideas?
Preventing resource guarding
- Hands give, they don't take away.
- When hands take away, they give right back.
- Hands that take away my stuffed Kong help me pull good stuff out of it.
- Cooperation reduces pressure/time duration of restraint. Uncooperativeness increases pressure/time duration of restraint.
- Tolerance of discomfort/fear results in reduced time, reduced restraint, food, and FREEDOM.
- Cars don't always take us away from our home.
- Cars take us good places that we want to go more often than they take us bad places.
- People are non-threatening.
- People are fragile.
- People can be rewarding.
- Wheely things are to be mostly ignored, or simply contemplated.
- Kongs, nylabones, and other chew items are where we chew.
- Our person will not let other dogs eat our food or take our stuff.
- We do not take other dog's food or stuff. We wait for a turn.
- We do not leap on other dogs unless they ask us to. We wait for an invitation.
- We approach other dogs correctly-- with enough speed (=confidence) to not be eaten, but without being a bully.
- We sniff butts politely. We leave if the other dog gets scared.
- We allow our butt to be sniffed if we want to or we go away if we don't.
- If another dog cowers, growls, or even snaps at us, we go away.
- We ignore crazy barker dogs.
- We do not bully other dogs. If another dog bullies us, we go away.
- If everyone is going to fight over it, it belongs to the human.
- Sharing means we both get it. Taking it away means no one gets it.
- We do not pee on dogs who are peeing. We wait.
- Being left alone means your person will come back if you wait quietly.
- Being boarded does not mean your person will never come back.
- Being on the leash is not really different from being off-leash.
- Doors are unpredictable, so you should not dash towards them. You should wait.
- Being very quiet will get you out of your room or crate.
- Laying down is a really good thing.
- Pottying outside is a really good thing.
- Being calm is a really good thing.
- Making eye contact with my person is a really good thing.
- Coming to my person is a really good thing.
- Everything and everyone leaves me alone if I retreat to my crate.
Punishments are never appropriate for puppies. Beyond the general icky-ness of punishing a being whose brain only finished developing at age 6 weeks--this is absolutely inhumane, there is the issue of ineffectiveness. Not only will the punishment not work properly, but puppies are likely to misinterpret. Pain will be associated with people. People hurt. People are unpredictable and scary. I should run from them or get them to run from me.
Most pet owners are not trying to accomplish these "lessons", but most experienced dog trainers can tell you stories of working with dogs after these lessons have been a bit too well "learned."
Just like all the good, desirable beliefs "stick" when formed in puppyhood, so do bad, undesirable beliefs. Sometimes these faulty beliefs can be changed, but , sadly, sometimes they can't.
No comments:
Post a Comment