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Canine MannersJackie Drakeford |
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Some dogs are
naturally polite and some need to have their behaviour guided quite firmly.
This is not a matter of status, either, for many high ranking dogs
display natural courtesy, and many canine nonentities can be bullies.
Though we can and should train manners into our dogs, we do not have to make that much of an effort with the right ones, but what we need to remember is to reward what we find good. A puppy that comes to you and sits before you ask for attention is much easier than a puppy that runs up and jumps all over you. Therefore, we should reward the puppy that does what we want. A lot of people will rebuke the unwanted action, but we need to give equal attention to the desired behaviour too, which means responding to the puppy that asks nicely even when it is inconvenient to us.
We also need to consider our dogs' interaction with other people, some of whom might be vulnerable in some way, or even plain scared of dogs. Assurance that a dog running up to them means no harm is not sufficient.
With dog-to-dog interaction, properly socialised dogs will take no for an answer philosophically, not forcing their attentions on another once warned, but oafish behaviour can be quite vigorously repelled. On occasion, a bully will torment a shy dog that dares not standup for itself. I was most surprised when one of my dogs appointed himself minder to one of my gentle souls that always seems to get picked on - while he never offered overt friendship to this dog, he would drive off any others who thought they had found a victim. What a shame that the owners of these bully dogs did not think to restrain their dogs in the first place.
Though we can and should train manners into our dogs, we do not have to make that much of an effort with the right ones, but what we need to remember is to reward what we find good. A puppy that comes to you and sits before you ask for attention is much easier than a puppy that runs up and jumps all over you. Therefore, we should reward the puppy that does what we want. A lot of people will rebuke the unwanted action, but we need to give equal attention to the desired behaviour too, which means responding to the puppy that asks nicely even when it is inconvenient to us.
We also need to consider our dogs' interaction with other people, some of whom might be vulnerable in some way, or even plain scared of dogs. Assurance that a dog running up to them means no harm is not sufficient.
With dog-to-dog interaction, properly socialised dogs will take no for an answer philosophically, not forcing their attentions on another once warned, but oafish behaviour can be quite vigorously repelled. On occasion, a bully will torment a shy dog that dares not standup for itself. I was most surprised when one of my dogs appointed himself minder to one of my gentle souls that always seems to get picked on - while he never offered overt friendship to this dog, he would drive off any others who thought they had found a victim. What a shame that the owners of these bully dogs did not think to restrain their dogs in the first place.
reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750