DISCIPLINE
Dogs crave discipline and exercise. Most of the time we equate our love for our dogs with our human emotional equivalent – nurturing (food and affection). That’s fine but often misplaced and which does not meet our dogs’ primary needs. As pack animals, for them to feel safe and (if you like, loved) they must have boundaries and consequences that are enforced when transgressions occur. This would happen in their pack if they were in the wild and we must, to the best of our ability, try to replicate that strict structure. Not much different to kids really, we are pack animals too. So think twice before the extra cuddle and extra tidbit of food given with nothing expected in return and instead ask them to “perform” for you. Whether it is a simple drop and roll, or wait, or handshake…make them earn their reward. It will mean so much more to you both.
WALK YOUR DOG!!
This is a simple rule which is the most easily ignored and which also has the most detrimental consequences (for you and then ultimately, your dog). An unexercised dog is an unstimulated dog and therefore an unhappy dog. To alleviate their boredom of the same environment they will resort to annoying and destructive behaviours such as barking, digging holes, pulling the washing off the line, climbing fences, howling and anything really that results in some attention. A lot of this is solved by simply walking your dog, and changing the route from time to time. If you really can’t be bothered, or don’t have time – employ the services of DogWise or other dogwalking businesses to do it for you. It is often a very minimal fee and you will be guilt free.
Spend time with your dog.
Why did you choose to include a dog in your life? Really? Was it to “tick it off the list”? A lot of people buy a pack animal as a single unit, shove it in the backyard and largely ignore it until the abovementioned behaviours begin to manifest and then drop it off at a rehoming centre. They will then go and buy another dog with the intention of “doing better” but their lives are simply too busy and cannot accommodate the demands of an animal that needs to spend their time in the company of others. We must take the place of their pack and that is simply not possible if they are left outside with their nose pressed against the glass, separated from their “pack siblings” (us). Properly trained and supervised, even the largest of dogs may be taught to take their place on their special indoor bed or rug and they will be content to do so. Examine the reasons you wanted your dog in the first place and be brutally honest. Perhaps you aren’t really meant to share your home with a dog. Remember it is our privilege not our right to “own” a dog.