Last Wednesday I received an emergency message from a client, Clare, about a dogfight. Normally her two young dogs are best friends, but last week there was a big-time dogfight.
Because she was worried that this might repeat itself, Clare asked for my help. She insisted that she had no idea what could have caused the fight.
Clare’s impression was that the problem simply “came out of nowhere!”
But when it comes to dog obedience training, in reality there were definite reasons why her dogs lost control, and dog behavior signs that indicated the dogs were getting edgy with each other. (For example, when a dog would enter the room, the other one would start growling.)
Before I share the rest of the story, I’d like you to go and download this free dog obedience training audio course that I’ve put together for you. This audio course alone can solve some of the most common dog obedience issues most people are faced with, but I’m also going to throw in 16 dog training videos, 5 dog training manuals, and a lot more free stuff to help you out. I really hope you’ll go do that right now.
Back to the story.
When we talked I reminded Clare that she was in the process of remodeling her house. Even if the project is managed perfectly, remodeling your home creates confusion and chaos.
It’s too bad, but the remodeling project was not going off without a hitch. Although Clare was someone who would normally be quite relaxed at home, now she was anxious and tense and would have heated arguments with her contractor. And this situation had gone on for weeks!
So What Made Clare’s Dogs Do This?
Clare said, “But my dogs like each other! They play together and sleep together.”
The plain truth is… dogs do not live in a vacuum. Dogs can definitely sense what’s going on in their environment and what you may be thinking, feeling, or experiencing. Clare’s dogs:
1. Watched Clare (who is usually calm) verbally confront a subcontractor many times,
2. Felt her unhappiness, anxiety, and anger,
3. Lived in remodeling chaos,
4. Missed dog classes, and
5. Lacked regular exercise. (Because it had been so hot for the past few weeks, Clare neglected to take them on their usual walks and simply let them run in her backyard instead.)
Any of those reasons alone probably would not have triggered a fight, but when stacked on top of each other, the increasing level of stress broke down the relationship between two formerly friendly dogs.
Is This Going to be a Lifelong Change in Her Dogs’ Relationship?
No. The construction project is now over. Peace is back in the house. Dog lessons and dog walks have restarted. It will take a little time, but things between the two dogs will go smoothly again.
Think About the Hidden Emotional Signals You’re Sending to Your Dog?
If you want to see how your emotions affect your dogs try this exercise from my book, Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right.
Ask the dog to join you in a room. Close the door. Sit down on the floor. Do not talk, move, or gesture but think angry and unhappy thoughts for the first minute.
Then add words, sounds, and body language to your feelings.
But, you don’t want to direct them at your dog! For the next 30 seconds, allow yourself to experience the emotions pouring out.
* Does the dog exhibit feelings of being anxious, does he approach you, avoid you, or ignore you?
* Does the dog’s reaction change? Does the dog react more when you add words, feelings, and body language?
Now shift your thinking and start focusing on happy and exciting thoughts for 60 seconds. Then you want to add actual words, other sounds, and even body language to express your feelings. But, you don’t want to direct them at your dog! Now for the next 30 seconds or so, use a voice that’s happy…feel those emotions.
* Does the dog come up to you, avoid you, get nervous, or ignore you?
* Do you notice that your dog’s reaction changes? Does the dog react more when you add words, feelings, and body language?
This is a simple way to show you just how much of an impact your voice and attitude has on your dog. When you are stressed or upset due to a bad day at work, a fight with a neighbor or son, or an accident where you trip and hit your shin against the table, your dog feels it. Dogs absorb tension.
There are certain signs of dominant behaviors that demand quick action, such as one dog putting his chin on another dog’s shoulders, snarling or growling if another dog enters the room, guarding a toy or a food bowl, or ears or a tail that is very erect. Search out the reasons behind this assertion of dominance and bring the relationships back into balance with training, food changes, regular exercise, increasing your presence as leader of the pack, and calling a professional when you just can’t figure it out.
Also, be sure to go and download the free dog obedience training audio course (and the videos and workbooks) I mentioned above. These tools have helped many thousands of dog owners understand why their dogs act the way they do, and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you!
Tags: dog obedience training, dog training, train a puppy, train your dog
