12/13/2024
Doggie Directives by Dawn!
Certified Dog Trainer
LET’S TALK BOUNDARIES!
Do you have a dog that is overly protective of you or another family member in your home? Is it to the extent the dog snaps, growls or lunges?
Let’s dive deep into this behavior!
When a pet displays this behavior it is not acceptable. Your pet is displaying ownership of you and does not view you as the pack leader. He doesn’t respect you nor does he feel the need to behave when you try to correct him. He is guarding you as if you are his favorite toy or chew bone. This is an unhealthy bond.
How did this happen? When a human coddles their pet they are teaching him to be insecure and unsure of himself. The same applies if you rescued a dog with a past that may have been filled with abuse and/or trauma. If you feel sorry for the dog you may develop the need to over compensate with excessive babying. If you are not reinforcing the dog to follow commands and you are ignoring bad behavior, you are creating the insecurities that causes him to not understand what you expect of him. Dogs don’t remember the event that led to the trauma. Yes, the abuse/trauma flips a switch in their brain to cause issues, but they don’t understand the how or why. This is why dogs can learn to trust and love unconditionally all over again, with proper training.
Example: A dog chases cars and gets hit. The dog is in pain but heals. The first opportunity he gets, he will go back to chasing cars. He felt the pain but doesn’t understand the why or how.
So how do we fix this?
A common issue with a dog who claims ownership of a family member has never been taught boundaries.
A dog should never be allowed to sit with you on the furniture or sleep with you unless you invite them. If a dog automatically sits on the couch with you when you sit down he is lacking boundaries.
Here are the steps to correct this.
CLAIM YOUR SPACE
Put a few small treats in your pocket. Remain in the standing position with your hands behind your back and use your body to walk the dog out of your space, preferably to a bed in the same room. Tell him to sit and wait. You sit down. If the dog gets out of position, repeat the process. It will take two or three times before the dog understands. When he does, reward him with a treat. When you are ready, invite the dog to sit with you. Have a family member approach, if the dog attempts to engage inappropriately, immediately make him get down, back him out of the space and have him sit and wait. Short commands are necessary. Two words…the dog’s name and the command. Do not have long sentences…the dog isn’t going to understand what you want.
Ex: “Fido, sit.” ✅
Not, “Okay Fido, I need you to sit and be a good boy.”❌
It’s best to provide a space/dog bed in the same room you are in where you can send the dog to lie down. Provide a chew toy for them to enjoy. When working on correcting this behavior, it’s important to provide the dog with his own personal space. The dog will only see this as direction and not punishment.
These same steps can be used when you are moving from room to room. Claim your space by not allowing the dog to follow you everywhere you go in your home. You may need to help your children with something or you work from home and are on the phone. Have the dog sit and wait outside the doorway or in their designated dog bed. They are not allowed to come in unless invited.
While we view our pets as family members, because they are, it is important to understand they do not process or think like humans. They look for the pack leader and learn their place in the pack. It’s up to us to teach and guide them to understand where their placement falls.
Remember, a dog is only as successful as the human who trains him!
🌟Summit’s Rising Star🌟
Meet Cola! He’s a BIG Boy with an even BIGGER ❤️!
Cola is a Mountain Cur mix who understands his obedience cues. He is ridiculously smart and a quick learner! He is house/crate trained too! He would do best in a home where he is the only dog. This breed requires a strong pack leader to keep him in check. He would love a home with someone who enjoys going on long walks but also takes in all the snuggles and belly scratches you can offer!
Cola is a beautiful soul but he is extremely stressed at the kennels. When taken out on adventures or with his trainer or a volunteer he is a completely different boy. He just needs someone to give him a chance and the opportunity to have a family of his own where he can thrive. He is fully vetted, neutered and chipped! But most importantly, he will come with loyalty and unconditional love!
If you are interested in meeting Cola, please check out our website at summitssanctuary.org.
Cola’s great adventure video will be posted soon!
