By Mary Green
CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed
CDBC: Certified Dog Behavior Counselor
CNWI: Certified Nose Work Instructor K9 Manners & More, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
How well do you know your dog? You know her
favorite treat. You know where her favorite napping spot is. You know the differences in her vocal repertoire. But do you understand the taproots that make her who she is?
Sometimes dogs do things that we do not like, and we don’t want them to continue. The conflict happens when we fail to recognize that their behavior patterns are in their DNA and have existed for many, many generations. If we don’t find acceptable (to us) alternatives to those behavior patterns, we label them as “behavior problems.”
My dogs are herding dogs. They are wonderful ranch hands. They can move livestock
with very little human assistance. They can gather them, sort them, and pen them up. The disconnect here is that I don’t live on a ranch! They want to chase. They need to chase. We can’t let them chase children or vehicles. And we don’t have sheep. We can, however, find games that can satisfy that drive. We can chase a Frisbee, we can learn Treibball, or we can find some herding lessons. Simply trying to stop herding behavior without considering a different outlet would not work.
Does your dachshund dig? Does your coonhound bay at night? What about the Labrador that steals socks from your
laundry? Maybe the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can’t be left home alone. Or the Malinois that won’t let you bring guests into your home. These “behavior problems” are really expressions of genetics that don’t fit into our daily routines or our expectations of dog ownership.
Dog sports have grown exponentially in the last decade as pet owners look for outlets for their dogs to express their natural drives. And people are discovering how much fun it is to do activities with their dogs.
Turn to the outdoors. Go on a hike with your dog. Let him sniff all that nature provides outside his yard or neighborhood. Use a long line, keep him and yourself safe, and start slowly. If you have a sled-dog breed, check out activities such as urban mushing. Pit bulls and most of the bully breeds love to pull — which we do not enjoy on a daily walk. But they excel in weight-pulling competitions. With proper equipment and training, this is a wonderful outlet. Do you have a hound breed? Check out the fun scentwork or nose-games activities. Is your dog supersocial and loves everyone? Maybe she could become a therapy dog and visit hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other places.
I am so excited to dive into this wonderful book, Meet Your Dog, by canine behavior consultant Kim Brophey. Brophey introduces a comprehensive framework known as L.E.G.S. (learning, environment, genetics, and self) to help dog owners see a complete picture of their dogs. “When these are in balance, they work in harmony, but if not, they can create discord or disaster. This book is a groundbreaking opportunity for dog lovers to fully understand their dogs, and form truly authentic relationships.”
Careful consideration of the dogs’ physical, emotional, and mental needs should be a major consideration when selecting the best companion for your family.
