You've probably had a day or two when you felt like your dog just wasn't paying any attention to you at all, right? You talked, you yelled, you shouted, maybe you jumped up and down and waved your arms, but she just wasn't interested in anything you had to say to her in any tone of voice. You're not alone.
1. Your dog isn't human.
Unless you believe in pet psychics, there's really no way for you to read your pooch's mind and figure out exactly what she's thinking. The good news is that, like many dog owners, the problems you're having can probably be traced to one simple thing: you're trying to communicate with your dog from a human standpoint, and your dog isn't a human. Sure, you know that, but lots of humans try to relate with their dogs in the ways that they think are rational as humans. The problem is that dogs are driven in every act and every moment by very strong instincts. Deciphering those instincts and leveraging them to build a productive relationship is like finding the keys to the city.
2. Your dog doesn't speak English.
Take the word "no," for example. Does your dog speak English? Not understand English. Does she speak it? What's meaningful to her is your tone of voice, not the word itself. Now let's think about that ? we're taking up excess time trying to teach our dog a word she'll never speak and that probably doesn't mean much to her anyway. Sure, it's meaningful to us, but that's only one side of the equation. What about something that's meaningful to both human and dog?
3. You know what a growl means, and your dog knows what a growl means.
If you think that mutually meaningful language doesn't exist, you're not thinking creatively enough. What does it say to you when a dog growls at you? Anything from "get away from my food" to "back off, dude," right? Yet in every case, a dog's growl typically means that she is not happy with whatever you've done. And you've seen dogs react to other dogs' growls, right? So you know what a growl means, and your dog knows what a growl means. Where's the disconnect? Growl at your dog!
No, seriously. The next time your pooch starts stepping outside her bounds or doing something you don't like, growl at her. A nice, strong, guttural growl that would put the alpha wolf in a pack to shame. While you're growling, look directly into her eyes. You're almost guaranteed that she'll back off.
4. Instincts save time and communicate effectively.
See that? You worked with her instinct and the information hardwired into her brain, and the result was instantaneous. Why spend tons of time trying to work against that instinct and end up frustrated, angry, and still miscommunicating? This approach works in everything from basic discipline to full-on obedience training. You just need to figure out how to apply it in each of those situations.
I'd like to help you learn to apply it, and that's why I created the multimedia presentation Instinct vs. Man. It addresses day-to-day life with your dog as well as specific topics like playtime, training, and territory. Beyond that, you'll get some great insight into why your dog thinks the way she does and how it affects her actions and reactions. You'll understand why those months of training stopped working after a few weeks and how to get her back into the routine and acting like the fun, upbeat dog you love.
Mark Eckenrode is a lover of dogs, his own is named Ryker. Mark is also the creator of an amazing website that offers free step-by-step tips on how to spoil your dog, cook up delicious dog recipes, insights into health, and communicating with your dog?
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Learn Exactly What Your Dog is Looking For? Without Being a Vet, Visiting an Animal Shrink, or Paying Outrageous Prices for Dog Toys!"
Beecher limo rentals ..Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an... Read More
Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More
Are you thinking about getting some discus then and want... Read More
Witnessing your precious dog or cat having a seizure can... Read More
Let's say you've made up your mind on the breed... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present... Read More
For heat dissipation and body cooling, a horse trotting at... Read More
Pet DoorsAre you considering installing a pet door for your... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
Training CollarsTraining collars are a tool many pet owners utilize... Read More
Pet ContainmentIf you just recently became a pet owner or... Read More
Still remember that very moment when you first laid your... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More
BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native... Read More
People love big, protective and loving dogs and that's why... Read More
It was the Saturday morning of August 20, 2004 and... Read More
Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable,... Read More
The best thing to do is to start training your... Read More
Proper training of your dog should begin when he is... Read More
No one knows your dog better than you, and as... Read More
The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 different dog breeds. There... Read More
The days are getting longer, and if you have a... Read More
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More
Bridgeview limo Chicago ..Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play,... Read More
Why use a crate:When used properly and not abused, crates... Read More
Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat... Read More
If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More
Domesticated cats have been gaining in popularity in the United... Read More
Training a dog is a fairly difficult task. Some find... Read More
Pet adoption is a fabulous option if you're seeking a... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
If there is an art to getting horses to load... Read More
Wolves are magnificent and majestic creatures that have shared this... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
Maintaining your fish bowl can be difficult sometimes. However, your... Read More
According to the American Humane Society, just 15% of dogs... Read More
When Lucky was starting to show signs of aging, we... Read More
Are you thinking about getting some discus then and want... Read More
This is a very controversial topic which has a lot... Read More
House rabbits are a perfect pet for many people, regardless... Read More
Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh... Read More
While a bird is an easy pet to care for,... Read More
Giving your dog a bath is important, but not as... Read More
What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease... Read More
Buy or Adopt - That is the question.If you intend... Read More
Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals... Read More
It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and... Read More
Pet |