Modern life and lack of education for humans often makes it difficult for people to be able to provide dogs with the correct social interaction.

Certain normal ‘canine’ behaviours are no longer possible in cities or rural settings. Dogs once roamed free in groups doing what was needed to survive, frequent social contact is normal for a dog.

Modern society keeps our dogs locked behind fences or on chains often for 9 hours or beyond with the need to be part of a constant social family. Isolation is difficult dogs just as it is for people. A dog that barks excessively, rearranges the backyard or jumps on visitors is often behaving this way due to lack of leadership and social structure. Dogs are pack animals! The lack of understanding of our canine companions results in behavioural issues.

To communicate successfully with our dogs, it is up to us to learn their language.  This requires an open mind and respect for the dog. 

Two immensely powerful instinctual forces guide the life of a canine pack. The first is its instinct for survival - food, status, safety, hunting. The second is its instinct for reproduction – continuation of the species.

At the head of every pack is the breeding, decision making pair. It is the leaders pair’s job to make decisions to ensure the survival and safety of the pack.

Their status is maintained through earning trust and respect, their ruling is final and the remainder of the pack accepts their ruling unfailingly. The hierarchy of the pack is constantly reinforced by good decisions.

The Dog-

Domestic dogs are direct descendants of wolves, despite many years of genetically engineering the dog to perform certain tasks; as humans we are unable to remove the hard wiring that drives the instincts of the pack animal.

Like wolves, dogs follow a strict code of hierarchy; they know from the time they are born that their very survival depends on having strong and capable leaders.

Many people unintentionally give their dog’s confusing information leaving the dog no choice but to assume the role of leader/decision maker.

Due to the fact that the dog is living in a world it cannot properly understand, a dog with such responsibility will begin to show signs or stress and confusion. These signs can be obvious to some but not to others.

Stress and confusion can manifest its self in many ways (eg : an inability to relax, excessive barking , aggression, soiling the home, obsessive behaviours such as tail chasing or licking).

The aim of Dog Listening-

To allow the dog to make choices and learn self control.

To provide information that will relive the dog of any confusion over who is responsible for decision making.

For your dog over time through trust and respect elect you as the leader.

Happy dog, Happy owner

The Process of Dog Listening-

This process is absolutely fundamental to reversing the dog’s belief that it needs to make decisions and relieve it of the inadvertent pressures being placed on it.

Each time the dog asks a question, the correct responses be received.

Calmly consistently and convincingly.

This is a holistic method of working:

All four elements must take place in conjunction with each other, and they must be repeated calmly, consistently and convincingly.

Provide your dog with the correct information and the confusion will be removed thus resolving the symptoms.

© Copyright November 2010 - Fun4Paws.