03/01/2024
Sometimes it's hard to remember but dogs are not people. This is just a gentle reminder as I've seen some really concerning posts recently about how dogs need to be 'put in their place' due to 'acting out' or other such human responses.
They don't automatically know how to live in our world and it's our job to try and make that as pleasant as possible so they can succeed at it. The more we reward behaviour we want with what motivates the dog (that's their choice not ours), the more likely that behaviour will be repeated. The more times you punish a dog for what you don't want to see, the more likely you will create an anxious/aggressive response. This is because you are punishing a response that is completely normal and natural for a dog to display.
They do not share the emotional range that people have so to take a dog's behaviour personally is not good for you, your dog or your bond. And your bond is absolutely crucial.
They are not being stubborn, trying to wind you up or having tantrums, they are often responding in a state of fear, confusion and/or survival. They do not actually have feelings of jealousy, dominance or spite! But our way of living is very confusing so punishing a dog for behaving like a dog, will likely lead to behavioural issues later down the line, if not straight away.
If you are having any concerns with your dog's behaviour or want to ensure you set them up right from the start, please do get in touch before anything becomes long lasting, that includes how you feel about them!
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