I
still get clients on the phone telling me how their
dogs are trying to dominate them and take over their
home. The poor dog is lying under a desk growling
at them and they think it is trying to dominate
them?! The dog is scared and doesn't trust the person
standing in front of him, so he's trying to tell
them to back off.
Let's
make this clear first, agression is used to create
more space between us and an individual we are unhappy
with. A dog that snarls, growls and snaps at you is
not likely to be dominant or confident. It is more
likely that he's telling you he's unsure and he'd
like to create more space between you and him.
So
back away, lighten up your voice, count to 10 and go
and fetch a yummy treat or your dogs favourite toy.
Then, from a good distance, try and coax your dog
out instead of forcefully dragging it out of it's
hiding place. If you are too angry to do this, then
walk away and give them a time-out instead.
Anger
will not solve anything, it will just put a barrier
in your relationship with your dog.
I've
been working with dogs and behaviour issues for over
11 years now and I very rarely meet a dog that is dominant,
truly dominant. Most of the dogs that have been labelled
dominant are in fact nervous and fearful.
One
of the big issues with trainers that work according
to the dominance theory is dogs that go up on sofas
and beds. The people who live by the dominance theory
claim that they will try to take over your life/home/pack/etc
if you allow them this high status, high up place in
your home. What a load of rubbish! I have had dogs in
my bed and on my sofas since I was 7 years old. My own
dogs, my boarding dogs and any visiting dog to our home
has always been allowed on the sofas and in our guest
beds. We've never had any issues with dogs trying to
rule the roost...
Dogs
get up on the sofas and beds because they are;
A. the most
comfortable places in our homes. Humans like to make
sure their furniture is well padded.
B. because
they smell strongly off us, their family, and that
is reassuring and comforting for them. They are pack
animals. They like to sleep in groups.
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