confidentdogs

Confidence is one of the most important things you can give a dog. Bold, aggressive, in-your-face or bullying dogs are not confident. If a dog has confidence, it does not feel the necessity to subjugate others or to challenge its owner, for these behaviours are traits of dogs that have been forced to take their safety into their own "hands" because the owner does not give them the confidence.

Dogs do not like taking responsibility for their own safety, that safety in dog terms being safety to eat, sleep or exercise. A dog that feels under stress because it cannot eat or rest without disturbance will lose confidence.

If while out they are challenged by other dogs and do not have the faith in their owners protection, they lose confidence. This can so easily lead to supposed "aggression" problems, because the dog only has so many ways to warn or to protect itself - dogs not being big on negotiation. Such a dog needs building up, not bringing down, but it must be done in such a manner that the dog knows it can rely upon its owner for protection. This starts in the home, where the kennelled dog is kept free from intimidation from other dogs, even if this means kennelling solo, and the house dog is allowed its own refuge where it can eat and sleep in security, without interruption from humans or other animals.

When taken out, the dog needs sufficient confidence in its owner's protection for it to behave normally. If it wants to return to the owner when another dog approaches, the owner should provide safety by walking between the two dogs. If the option exists, taking to higher ground, even if only a little higher, will make all the difference to the dog's security.

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

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.

Confident Dogs