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Ignoring A Bully
Jackie Drakeford |
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Knowing your dog's
temperament is essential for getting the most out of your
training. Though being satisfied with second best is not such a
terrible thing, there are disciplines in which you can get so much more
out of certain dogs if you take the correct approach. Some people
imagine that as they pay the bills and provide board and lodgings,
their dog should acknowledge them and be grateful, but the animals mind
does not work that way. Nor is it impresed with a large, loud,
bullying human showing it who is boss. Though there are similarly
large, loud and bullying dogs, there are also clever, quiet and
infinitely more resourceful animals, which will lose all respect for an
owner who throws his weight around. We have to earn our dog's
respect. It is not a given and it is not achieved by
confrontation. If confrontation happens, we must win. It
is, therefore, best avoided. Luckily we have infinite cunning and
trickery at our disposal, which is far better weaponry.
It is hard to shrug off years of traditional dog training that always seemed to work, but there are sometimes better ways. It can seem like weakness to walk away from a dog that challenges the trainer, but in fact it is a very potent method. The dog can offer nothing to oppose a conflict that does not exist. Bullying dogs get no advantage from the owner refusing to accept their challenge. Anyone who has obtained results through cunning and guile will never feel the need to go back to the old methods, though they had always seemed to serve the purpose before now.
It is hard to shrug off years of traditional dog training that always seemed to work, but there are sometimes better ways. It can seem like weakness to walk away from a dog that challenges the trainer, but in fact it is a very potent method. The dog can offer nothing to oppose a conflict that does not exist. Bullying dogs get no advantage from the owner refusing to accept their challenge. Anyone who has obtained results through cunning and guile will never feel the need to go back to the old methods, though they had always seemed to serve the purpose before now.
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.
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.