22/12/2020
π€―Your dog is not being rude or impolite if he growls or barks at someone.
Your dog is being an EXCELLENT communicator!
Your dog is telling you that he is not happy and uncomfortable in a situation. By punishing/ scolding him for doing this may just suppress the behaviour. The next time your dog feels unsafe he could remember getting into 'trouble' for the growling behaviour and can possibly just escalate into a bite.
The dog learns that something unpleasant happens when he displays that behaviour, therefore that behaviour doesnβt work.
πIf your dog is trying to avoid something or someone, DO NOT FORCE the issue as it could backfire and cause an aggressive response.
Think about this for a second...
You don't know me. Imagine I came up to you and tried to hug and kiss you.
You would first move away and try and avoid me, maybe put your arm out at the same time to try and create a barrier between us.
I ignore your signals and continue to intrude in your space and force a hug and a kiss.
You shout at me and then someone smacks YOU on the head for being rude to me...
πAllow your dog to have a CHOICE with who he/ she wants or does not want to interact with.
By putting them into a position that creates reactivity is putting them into a position to fail.
πΎSetting your dog up for success means being your dogs advocate, and helping them cope in a world they see very differently to us.