Bad Dogs

[traveller]

does anyone know about dog phsycology - other than dog obiedience training? is there anyone who does such a thing?

[Guest Rox]

There's a bloke called Pavlov who used to do a mean reflex conditioning theory. I think his number's in the book.

[Tonto]

At the risk of being laughed at. There was an ad recently in the IOM Examiner (I think)? There is also a very good dog behaviour book available at Douglas Library.

 

If you have a pedigree dog, my advice is to find a really top class website of the breed and look at the faqs to see what the experts believe is the best way to sort your dog out. There may be some things 'special' to that particular breed. If you have a Heinz57, try working out what you actually have in there and react accordingly.

 

For example, my dobe has to be reminded who is in charge on a daily basis otherwise she will take advantage, and with a big dog you cannot allow even minor slips. Her natural instincts are to guard, patrol and deter, so you have to use these attributes to your advantage.

 

One of the ways I remind her who is in charge is to put her food ready waiting for the command to eat, make her wait and then I ignore her and take half a biscuit (or whatever) and eat it before she is allowed to eat hers. Now you might think this is cruel, but it isnt. In their wild state they would have to wait for the alpha male or female to eat before the rest of the pack. This reinforces who is in charge and her place in the pack. Another way is never ever allow your dog to walk through a doorway before you do - alpha goes first, the pack second. Never fails to make me laugh watching people with dogs allowing them the full length of lead walking in front of them and then say the dog is untrainable! The dog is alpha - and you are the pack - thats why.

 

There are loads of things I could suggest to try - my dobe was a rescue and we really have to be on the ball because she pushes the boundaries every day. Why do you think your dog needs to see a shrink?

[Tonto]

there's an ad in the livestock column of the courier tonight if you're serious and not just yanking my chain.