I think this is true at times...
How we behave reflects in our dog; Particularly Emotions.
I am referring to a physical response not a feeling. Emotions are a hardwired part of your personality that you may not be able to control as opposed to feelings which are mental associations that are personal to your experiences.Whew too much psychology but important none the less because it can affect our dog's outlook on life.
Apparently, after a quick search, there are 8 identifiable Emotions: Anger, Fear, Sadness, Disgust, Surprise, Anticipation, Trust and Joy. I am unsure if dogs have all these emotions but in simpler terms dogs do exhibit these:
Behavioral approach system (joy)
Flight or Fight system (fear/anger)
Behavioral inhibition system (anxiety)
I am just pondering what affect we have because of our own quirks that can either bring out the best or the worst in our dogs?
So when you see your dog behaving in a certain manner be sure to look at yourself in the mirror to see what you are reflecting.
My best,
Dru
Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Any Questions? call Dru Therrian 440.286.9070
My days are so jammed packed if I don't have an agenda, I won't get everything done. If I want to do some fun activity I need to plan ahead so I won't miss out. I describe my job as not a "9 to 5" but a "When I Open my Eyes till I Close my Eyes" kind of job.
Is your life like this too? Busy, busy, busy?!! This is why it is so important to create a daily schedule for your dog too! If you don't create a daily schedule, things won't get done with or for your dog. We run into Doggie Drama when the day zooms by and we have barely taken a breath or a moment to even pet the dog. I am not saying you need to devote every waking hour to be at your dog's beck and call; Rather you should have some routine that includes work, play and rest. Notice you will get a benefit out of this too!
Dogs thrive on routine. They are creatures of habit which is a good thing because then you don't have to be creative in creating a plan for their day. Besides it really doesn't take that much time to make your dog happy.
Just divide your day into quarters: morning, afternoon, evening and night. Plan what you are going to do and when: mealtime training (2-3x depending on age), potty breaks, naps (whether in a crate or Place), play/training and just hanging out together. If dogs are well behaved they can remain loose in your home or safely in a crate when you do have to leave them home alone.
Knowing where, when and what your dog is doing will keep you sane, give you time to breathe and truly, more than a moment to enjoy your dog.
My best,
Dru
Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Any Questions? call Dru Therrian 440.286.9070
Does your dog have "Peace of Mind" Contentment? You know the kind when you are busy with some chore or relaxing yourself with a cup of tea and you look over at your dog and she is laying quietly? Or the serenity of her presence while sitting together out on the front porch (you are enjoying that rocking chair of course!).
I can think of numerous images like that but mostly I hear about the dog that goes crazy, running zoomies all through the house, running over the furniture like it is a roller coaster, using the kitchen chair to climb on top of the table to eat the food left by the kids.
I also hear about the dog that fights tooth and nail all the way; and just won't give in to let you do what you need to do! Be it a bath, nail trim or just a good old non-pulling walk.
I don't believe that dogs try to be difficult on purpose. I think dogs that can't rest or settle haven't been shown the way or someone just hasn't gotten them through the "Battle of Discontentment".
Contentment isn't achieved by just exercising the dog to death because at the end of the day, I may have a tired dog but I still have a tired "Bad Dog". Besides I am tired too and I need to rest without feeling stressed. Two training methods that are very helpful in achieving dog contentment are Tethering and Sit on the Dog.
In the early phase of training during the day when dogs spend time with me in my kitchen, they are always tethered. I do not give them the opportunity to misbehave because their freedom has been removed. They stay tethered to eat their meals and wait while I eat mine. It does sound a bit like "Jail Time" but it is necessary to help set the expectation and show the dogs a new way to behave.
Every night when I have Overnight Boot Camp dogs, I do an exercise called "Sit on the Dog". No, I don't literally sit on the dog but I do keep the dog on a leash while I am sitting in my chair. I do not allow them to walk away but remain by me, on the floor to learn how to settle and relax. They are not allowed to climb into my lap or bother me in anyway. I do give them a comfy dog bed; so there's that!
Oh you wouldn't believe the tantrums I see! How some dogs struggle, wrestle and resist to "Give In"; It is a Battle of Wills! Perhaps the dogs do just wear themselves out but each time I tether them or do Sit on the Dog, they get to contentment much faster. It is an up hill battle but we must stay the course. It is so important to not "Give Up" but go through until they "Give In".
These methods work because the dog chooses to relax; I can not make their minds at ease, they must do that for themselves. I know they get to that Place of Contentment when I hear the BIG Sigh of Relief! The Battle of Wills has been won without damage and both of us are at Peace.
I own Out of the DogHouse LLC. I work with people and their dogs to help them get Happy again. We understand what you may be going through and know we can improve your relationship with your dog. Our programs work for every dog; our guarantee ensures success.
