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KNOWLEDGE PAGES
These pages will feature a gradual build up of complete knowledge about dog training and psychology plus effective methods for changing a dog's unwanted behaviour. This information is in bullet point style and each item is numbered. Look out for regular new additions of knowledge.
PACK, LEADERSHIP AND THE DOG’S MIND - 1 to 12 - Added early February 2008
MANIPULATION AND SNUBBING 13 to 16 - Added late February 2008
MANIPULATION AND SNUBBING 17 to 20 - Added early March 2008
A DOG'S MIND 21 to 23 - Added late march 2008
LATEST ADDITION A DOG'S MIND - 24 to 26 Added April 1st 2008
DOGS SENSES INSTINCTS AND HABIT - 27 TO 29 Added April 12th 2008
DOGS SENSES INSTINCTS AND HABIT - 30 TO 32 Added April 21st 2008
NATURE AND INSTINCTS - 33 TO 35 Added May 14th 2008 & 36 to 38 Added May 28th -
39 to 41 added 3 June - 42 to 45 added 21st June - 46 TO 53 added 18th July 2008
HABIT 54 TO 56 Added September 10th 2008 57 - 60 Added 1st October 2008
CONFUSION 61 to 63 added November 20 2008
CONFUSION
61. Keep it clear and simple
One part of avoiding confusion in the dog’s mind about what we want is to keep the spoken and body language clear and simple. Make sure commands are not too similar such as “Go” and “No”. Try and use short words although even phrases are understood such as a release command of “Off you go”. Our body language that may accompany a command needs to be simple as well rather than meaning several different things to a dog. Remember that your dog studies every movement of your body.
62. Keep it consistent
Commands need to be delivered in the same way every time. First decide if a certain part of a word needs to be stressed such as the ‘s’ or ‘t’ in sit. Body language also needs to be consistent and not convey the opposite of our spoken language. An instance of opposite language would be to speak threateningly to the dog while stroking him. Unlikely, but the example is explanatory
63. Confusion and stress
A confused dog is often a stressed dog. Remember that if you confuse him he may become stressed. Any time you think this has occurred reassure him or stop interacting with him until he has settled down.
NOW FROM ONE TO SIXTY
Pack and Rank - 1 to 12
1. Pack instinct - There is strength in numbers
Dogs are not loners by instinct. They know that security is vastly improved when there is more than one of them. Therefore they have what we describe as a pack instinct. This very instinct makes it easy for us to keep them as pets for they regard us as a substitute pack.
2. Pack order – The pecking order explained
When a dog lives with a pack, albeit of other canines or humans or a mixture of the two, the dog will want to find his place within the pack. In chicken language we might describe that as determining his pecking order.
The natural rank he has been born with will determine how high or low his place is in the pecking order. Basically high rank will mean high pecking order while low rank means the opposite.
3. Pack & high rank – or dominant and up front
A dog born with extremely high rank we might describe as dominant. He will challenge to be the pack leader and unless there is higher rank than him he will usually succeed in dominating the others. That domination may be reasonably passive, on the other hand it may be quite aggressive. The higher the rank the less he will feel the need for the support of other pack members. Such dogs can be difficult to train unless the trainer can establish that he is the higher ranking animal. Usually a high ranked dog will stray considerable distances from his owners when on a lead free walk as he his need for support is minimal. When he is with the pack he will want to be up front.
4. Pack and low rank – wimps desperate for support
A dog born with low rank will not want to dominate any species. Only those of even lower rank than his will be under him in the pecking order. He will look to the higher ranking dogs for leadership and will suck up to them for their support. The lower the rank the more he will feel the need for the support of other pack members. Such dogs can be very easy to train for they are happy for others to take decisions. Usually a low ranked dog will stay quite close to his owners on a lead free walk because he is desperate for their support. He will easily defer to others the right to be up front.
5. Pack and average rank – They are not difficult to train
This group of dogs fall somewhere in between lowly and high ranked dogs. Dependant on how close to the two extremes, they will take on some of their attributes but to lesser degrees. They will need some support but it will not be so obvious as it is with the low rankers. They will stray much further away than low rankers but not as far as those of high rank. Generally speaking they are not difficult to train but it is important that they respect the pack superiority of the trainer.
6. Pack order – who determines it? – Well, mother nature rules
A litter of puppies can have wide variations in rank. While a breeder may strive to produce dogs with certain characteristics, mother nature may overrule him on the issue of low, average or high rank. This applies to all breeds whether or not they have a reputation for boldness or the opposite.
7. Pack order – How pack order works - The right to first choice
High ranking dogs that have assumed pack leadership will demand to feed first. Choose the best sleeping quarters. Become mildly or considerably aggressive when disturbed from their rest. They will guard and defend attempts from others to take from them any item they consider to be important, even though that item may seem insignificant to us.
8. Pack order – How it can change - Environment can make changes
The pack order can change from one environment to another. Whereas a certain dog may know he is supreme at home, on a walk he may be far less sure of himself and that becomes evident by his actions. The opposite can also be the case, as can pack order changes even within rooms of a house. The higher ranked the dog the less likely this is to occur.
Pack order can also change with age affecting the higher ranked dogs that eventually lose their superior status particularly when another high ranked dog joins the pack.
9. Pack order – Leadership and training - The finest tip of all
I have been known to state “that until your puppy or dog really understands that you are the pack leader, or at the least his pack superior, then whatever method of training him is used it will become ineffective”. If there is not an acceptance of your superior status then your dog has no reason to obey your commands at all or in his own time. If I could only give dog owners one tip this is the one I would choose for it is the only correct basis for any type of training.
10. Pack order – Big bosses, other bosses and followers
This heading states what happens when our human life is orderly. We do what the boss says rather than the other way round. If not we pay the consequences. We might make suggestions to the boss but we do not constantly tell him what to do. It is little different with canines. If you constantly do what the dog tells you to do then he will quickly believe he is the superior pack member. Therefore he will expect you to obey rather than the other way round.
11. Pack rules - Pack rules can be cruel
The leader of a canine pack in wild may not always use subtlety to enforce his rules. For instance, if a subservient dog dares to push in front of him over an important issue then the leader will not stop to enquire why, but just bite the usurper. If this is to fight another canine from outside of their pack the usurper will probably be dealt with first before the leader deals with the intruder.
12. Fear or respect - Lead by respect not fear
In our world sometimes the big boss is always punitive. This usually has the effect of that boss being despised and probably feared. True leadership requires firmness, kindness and encouragement, and this combination brings about respect. Old fashioned dog training was quite punitive. Sensible modern dog training brings about respect devotion from the dog and an acknowledgement that you are the superior. Once this position is established training starts to become quite straightforward.
Manipulation and snubbing 13 to 16
13. Manipulation is psychology - Psychology a language of manipulation
Establishing leadership can be achieved substantially or totally through psychology without ever putting a lead on or touching the dog. That scientific word may frighten some but in its simplicity it is no more than humans do, in different degrees every day. What makes it so important is that dogs often understand it better than we do. For our initial purpose we can change the word to manipulation. If the dog does most of the manipulation he wins. If the position is reversed we win
14. Canine manipulation explained - Manipulate to lead
In our lives there are thousands of things important to us. There is probably less than ten things important to a dog. Food, drink, play, safety, sleep, comfort, sometimes sex, pack acceptance, pack status. That’s just nine. If the dog can manipulate us over the majority of these few issues then he will assume superiority. On the other hand if, in the main, we refuse to be manipulated over these seemingly simple issues and also become the manipulator over some issues important to us we will be seen as superior.
15. Snubbing or blanking out - Being put in your place
Just as human’s instinctively use snubbing as a deliberate method of body language to say to one or more other people “ I want nothing to do with you” so do dogs. Again, not unlike humans, a lower ranking dog is unlikely to snub one of higher rank. It is a technique to put others in their place most often used by those that perceive themselves to be higher ranked against those perceived to be beneath them in both human and canine life. It is also a form of manipulation.
16. What is a canine snub? Have you been snubbed?
It is not a lot different to a human snub with the main parts being avoiding eye contact, avoiding conversation and a strong desire that there should be no physical contact. When you call a dog and he ignores you, then you have been snubbed. When he is close by and you ask him to interact by whatever method and he ignores you, then you have been snubbed. When he runs away from you in the knowledge that you want to interact with him, then you have been snubbed. When he breaks off interaction with you rather than you initiating the cessation, then you have been snubbed. The more you are snubbed the greater will be his perception of your inferior pack status.
Manipulation and snubbing 17 to 20
17. Are you frequently snubbed? – or obeying the dog’s instructions
You probably are, but most likely by your dog. It will, however, depend upon his natural born rank, with the highest ranking dog snubbing more frequently and the lowly ranking dogs hardly ever snubbing at all. Inevitably the dog's perception of your status within the pack will be that it is lower than his. If that is the case he will see little reason to obey your instructions but worse still he will expect you to obey his! Doing so may seem like kindness to you. Regrettably many dogs will take this as a sign of weakness.
18. Try doing the snubbing yourself - Now who is the pushy one?
If your dog is of over average rank (pushy) then often when he initiates interaction snub him. Refuse to make eye contact, refuse to speak and fold your arms. If he tries to jump on you brush him away. When you do all this you score points in his perception of your rank. When you do interact with him, do so on your terms, not his, and be sure it is you that breaks off that interaction. If the dog breaks off the interaction, again you have been snubbed.
19. When not to bother to snub - Snubbing without positive effect
If your dog is of average or below average rank do not waste your time snubbing him for, in all probability, he already perceives you to be his pack superior. In fact such a dog is often looking for your support and to deny it to him can bring about confusion in his mind. It is unlikely that this type of character will snub you but instead he will constantly defer to your superior pack status.
20. The art of leadership - A leader in 5 words
The best leaders are firm, fair, encouraging, kind but aloof at times. Juggling such attributes is part of the art of leadership. Firm but never cruel – Fair and never over harsh – Encouraging without being overly repetitious - Kind at the right times - Aloof at other times.
A DOG'S MIND 21 TO 26
21. A dog’s mind - Important issues - Their minds and our minds
Unlike us there are very few things that are important to a dog. A dog’s instinct will tell him all survival issues are important and some differ from breed to breed. Add in affection and play and there are few other issues left. Maybe they could all be counted on two of our hands. For us important issues can reach 100 or even far greater.
22. A dog’s mind – Good result, bad result - Good result or bad result
A dog’s comprehension of good and bad things, unlike us, is confined to the result of actions. It is a little like a very young child to whom explanation is not yet possible. Do something that gives pleasure and the child or dog will usually want to repeat it. On the other hand do something that hurts or worries and it is less likely that it will be repeated. This is why original dog training was based solely upon correction and reward. Man has improved his training methods but, for dogs, the basic principle determining possible repetition of actions will be influenced by previous good or bad results.
23. A dog’s mind – Think like a dog
Understanding a dog’s mind is the basis of good training and also solving problems. Therefore it is imperative that we learn to think like a dog so that when we interact with him we shut off from the sophistication of the human mind.
24. A dog’s mind - Kindness or weakness - Gaining love and respect
It is very easy to fall into the trap of doing everything the dog asks for and using the word kindness to justify what the dog will see as weak behaviour. Be sure that when there is something more important to the dog than yourself he has no reason to even consider about obeying you. Being kind to your dog also means being firm and not allowing the dog to constantly manipulate. In such a way you will gain the dog’s love and respect.
25. Free expression – Within a pack there is no free expression
We used to hear much about allowing children the freedom of expression. It usually meant they would do whatever they liked and speak to their elders disrespectively. That mistake can be made with puppies and dogs. Even canines know that order in the pack means they can get into trouble if they step out of line. Discipline has become almost an unacceptable word in our society. Its meaning is still very much part of canine society. In some matters they know more than we do.
26. Practical superiority reinforces psychological superiority
By practical superiority I refer to training the dog to learn to obey your instructions. Even though part of that training may be psychological the fact is that it is your will that should prevail during training and this therefore reinforces any psychological work also carried out. The two together become a powerful combination.
Senses 21 to 32
27. The senses of man and dog
To train dogs we need to understand their senses. The most important of them are:-
Smell - Sight - Hearing – Touch - Taste. While we have these senses, the ability of use differs from man to dog. Our intelligence and power of reasoning allows us to evaluate what our senses tell us in very sophisticated ways. With the dog they are used as a much more basic tool.
28. The sense of smell
A wonderful instrument in the dog. It is far more developed than a human’s, in fact, other than knowing this fact it is difficult for us to comprehend just how acute this sense is to a canine. Dogs use it for a variety of information. Amalgamating it with the investigative instinct can lead to satisfying the eating, drinking and sexual instincts. Sense of smell can also detect possible danger and is often used to identify friendly beings. It is also allied to habit. For instance dogs will smell our clothes to see what we have chosen to wear means to them. Also there is man’s use of the dog’s nose for many particular purposes.
29. The sense of sight
Dogs see in a different way to humans. They easily spot movement but are very poor at identifying detail. Some dogs have very poor eyesight but don’t show it as much as we would for they compensate with the heightened senses of their nose. It is thought that the dog vision is in shades of black, grey and white.
Senses
30. The sense of hearing
Another sense that is more acute than ours. Dogs can hear from a greater distance than we can. Certainly they can hear much higher pitched sounds than we can. Because we can understand what many acute sounds mean, we are less frightened of them than many dogs that often only have a comprehension of danger triggered by particular sounds. Also it is often said that a dog isn’t listening when, in fact, the dog hears but chooses not to respond.
31. The sense of touch
Touch has more relevance to a dog when he is touched by others. Such touch will mean different things to him dependant on his mode at the time. For instance, if he is in a fight and he is touched from behind then he will likely attempt to bite whatever touched him. However, if he is in gentle mode then he will expect our touch to mean reassurance. Dogs greet friends, canine and human by touch.
32. The sense of taste
Using this sense certainly allows differentiation between flavours, and dogs
will often display a liking for certain tastes. This can lead to the unwary
owner having to feed the dog with best steak as he has learned that to refuse
other food will get him the taste he prefers.
Nature and Instincts
33. Nature knows best
For me nature interferes with what man does. She always wants to balance the books. Weather is a classic example, but it also applies with dogs where man often decides who will be the parents. Sometimes nature disagrees with the choice.
There are many characteristics that make up the nature of a dog. Bold or weak – pushy or retiring – worse still, dominant or wimpy. Almost secure or insecure. Fearful or bold. Excitable or laid back. Easily distracted or not. Active or sedentary. Loving or independent. We need to identify all of these parts of character before attempting training.
34. Instincts and the dog
Just as we need to
understand a dog’s character we also need to understand his instincts. Is one
of the pre-requisites to training for those who do so professionally, a deep
knowledge of these canine traits becomes essential.
35. The advantages and disadvantages of instinct
What a dog thinks about is largely driven by the instincts given to him and they can be further described as inherited behaviour. In some breeds certain instincts have been enhanced as a result of hundreds of years selective breeding to benefit man. This can be of great advantage to us but equally problem levels of it can often be an annoyance to us.
Nature can intervene when deciding that one or more of a litter will have enhanced levels of an instinct. For instance the predatory instinct may result in aggression. If enhanced above an average level it can easily result in the dog wanting to chase virtually anything that moves quickly. It plays a big part in driven motivation which I talk about later on.
This is the instinct to herd together, which is far greater than that given to our species. Dogs are social animals who want to be part of a group. Mostly for safety and protection but also they develop friendships. This instinct helps protect against predators, for successful defence when attacked is greater with numerical strength. When there is more than one dog together they become a pack and usually one will become superior to the other. This will depend upon the natural born rank of each dog. The higher rank of another dog will quickly become obvious to a much lower ranked one. Numbers 1 to 26 explain.
Dogs instinctively define an area they believe to be the territory of their pack. Outsiders to the pack are not welcome and will be made aware of this by one or more pack members barking at them and possibly showing higher degrees of aggressive behaviour. Regular non aggressive visitors to the pack can be welcomed, but it will depend upon the frequency of their visitations and demeanour as to whether and when they are regarded as trusted. When the level of this instinct is above average the greater becomes the display of territorial behaviour. Conversely, when it is below average the dog can show little or no territorial behaviour. An association of danger in one part of the territory can mean at that place the instinct is enhanced while in another part the opposite may be the case.
39. Guarding instinct
This instinct can often be allied to that which makes the dog want to guard his or the pack’s territory However, the dog can guard other than territory. For instance he can guard a pack member or members away from their own territory and also he can guard a possession that he has claimed for himself. Guarding is therefore usually associated with aggression, for if the ultimate sanction is not to be used there is little point in guarding in the first place.
Territorial and/or guarding instinct often triggers barking but there are other reasons why a dog barks. Dogs will often bark for attention as a call to others or as a warning. Then there is excitement and another is the type of bark used when there is a perception of being threatened. They are all different sounds which are soon identified by careful listening study. Other than territorial one of the most common forms of barking is when insecurity sets in while separated from the pack (family), but not all dogs are affected in this way.
Human and canines are given this instinct as a method of ensuring that their species survives. While the male will always take the opportunity to mate, the female only does so at certain times of the year and roughly for a few days in the middle of her season. At this stage she becomes like the male and will virtually mate with the first one to come along. This instinct can be over average and therefore cause us unwanted problems, usually with a male dog.
42. Cocking the leg
With male puppies the first time a puppy lifts his leg to urinate rather than squat can be quite amusing. It is an instinct that is not realised by the dog until his testosterone levels are becoming mature. Usually the male will lift his leg against something tall such as a tree or bush. It is a method of leaving a message to other canines that he is about.
43. Predatory instinct
A basic instinct which goes back to life in the wild and hunting for food as a pre-requisite to survival. When an animal is spotted, particularly those moving, it will initially stare then possibly stalk it carefully and/or immediately chase it. If he is lucky enough to catch it there are several possibilities. He might bite it hard enough to kill it or just hold it. Then again he might shake it or just play with it. It will depend upon the intensity of this instinct. Pleasure combined with habit can enhance this instinct.
This instinct might be present in all dogs but its level of intensity is usually well below average. The previous tip discusses how the desire to kill as the climax of a predatory chase is the exception rather than the rule. Of course there are instances of dogs killing for other reasons, and even some of the few incidents might be the result of accidental killing. This can be the result of inadvertently gripping a being too hard. However, when an animal indulges in this basic of instincts, man rarely attributes its occurrence to an accident for society concludes that while a dog is a dog, a dog that kills is a killer!
The vast majority of dogs have this instinct at a low or greater level. Some dogs will not display fear for many years of their life and then an incident triggers it. Usually from then on it also becomes a habit, particularly when a similar incident occurs. My own theory is that the dog is born with minimal or far greater fear levels even if not yet triggered. It has been established that three factors will most likely bring out fear in the dog. The most obvious is the passing on of fear through the genes of one or more of the dog’s parents. Then there is the possibility that the mother has, inadvertently or not, transmitted fear of something to her puppies. There is also fear learned by a frightening experience.
46. Fear Instinct levels
Intensity of fear levels will be average, high or low, dependant upon what nature and breeding has decided, and also any frightening experience. Extreme fear becomes panic and will often lead to flight. Obvious examples are bangs, thunder and fireworks. Fear can also lead to defensive aggression and is arguably one of the major causes of dog biting incidents. Regrettably we are seldom aware that a dog may have bitten because it felt threatened.
47. Leading instinct
48. Eating & drinking instinct
This is a basic necessity of life. Without water neither dogs nor humans can survive for long and food is necessary for wellbeing and energy. Not unnaturally this instinct has differing levels of intensity, particularly where food is concerned. There are dogs who are naturally extremely greedy and often scavengers as well. There are also dogs at the lower end of the scale that only eat for survival.
49. Sleep
Dogs need rest just as we do. It is a basic requirement of life. Dogs have different levels of sleep and often they will sleep in a strategic position just in case of falling into a deep sleep. This is best reflected in domestic situations whereby the dog will lie touching a person or chair a person is sitting on in the knowledge that if they move he will know. Another ploy with the same motive is lying in positions where they will have to be disturbed should other members of the pack (family) move past.
50. Not so sweet dreams
Dogs also dream and so often we will see their legs
twitching during a dream whereby the dog is obviously dreaming about something
which requires movement. Like us they can also make funny noises during their
sleep, and sometimes these will be noises that indicate worry or concern.
While puppies spend much time sleeping so do dogs as they become older, in fact
many domestic dogs seem to finish up just eating and sleeping, but that can also
be the result of us not giving them a more active life.
51.
Investigative instinct
This starts to show from about three weeks onwards in puppies and is they way in which they find out much about the world they are to live in. Watching a dog on a walk tells us the dog is constantly investigating. Using their nose, they will be particularly interested in the urinary and anal deposits of other dogs, trying to gain as much information as possible from the smells. They will also use their ears and eyes for investigation, displaying different body language when there is a sound different from normal.
52. Play instinct
The instinct to play is in all dogs, but unless it is developed those with low levels of this instinct will probably finish up as adults with no interest in games whatsoever. Without doubt all puppies should be taught to play for the modern dog trainer can use play as a reward during training. Certain breeds are renowned for being playful but even they should be taught to play games. This instinct can be honed and developed and, as long as it is carried out during the puppy’s formative months, the result will be a dog that is always ready to play.
53. Circling down
All dog owners are aware that many dogs will circle before lying down. Theories are advanced for this such as trampling down the grass. I would have thought that it is just an act of trying to make the ground or the nest more comfortable. However, if this is the case, we must ask why they often appear to make the bed we provide less comfortable after indulging in this instinct.
Habit
54. A dog is a creature of habit
This heading explains so much about dog training and also behaviour modification. Having found a way to get the dog to perform or not to perform a behaviour and then rewarding the result we have started the process of training. Repeating it exactly then becomes habit for the dog when we use a trigger, such as a command or signal, to invoke it.
55. Good result – bad result
By instinct both we and dogs will want to repeat something that gives us a good result and avoid something that does the opposite. Therefore when we reward a dog’s behaviour he is more likely to repeat it when asked to do so because of the pleasant association of the reward having done so.
56. Will he grow out of it?
I would like a pound for every time I have heard that said. With rare exceptions the answer is usually no because the dog is a creature of habit. If anything the thing we hope he will grow out of will get worse as the habit intensifies. Therefore of it is a habit we find to be undesirable we must train the dog not to do it.
57. Never let a puppy make a mistake
Because the dog learns by habit if you never allow a puppy to make a mistake he cannot possibly learn it. That means constant vigil during those formative weeks and months but the result is so rewarding. An example is that if the puppy is always supervised in the lounge then you can ensure he never climbs on the furniture. By adolescence it is highly unlikely he will attempt to climb on the furniture even when not supervised because he has never learned to do it.
58. What is the basis of habit?
It must be that the trainer is the superior being. If not then a distraction will grab the dog’s attention rather than to concentrate on what he is being taught. The only exception to this rule is when the dog is distracted by fear. Fear breeds panic and that dictates that nothing else matters. That works for humans as well. Look back at tip numbers 2 and 9. It is spelt out there but needs repeating here because it is the basis of the right habit.
59. What our habits mean to the dog.
A dog will spend much of the day watching and listening to us and he will work out our habits, particularly those that mean he is going to get a good result. Our speech, our clothes, our body language all mean something to him. They become triggers to our subsequent behaviour. A simple example is that if the only time that you pick up your lead is to take the dog for a walk he will quickly learn what happens next. If that triggers annoying barking pick the lead up 50 times a day to destroy the trigger. However there will be other triggers such as the dog walking clothes you put on.
60. Habitual excited behaviour.
Our excited behaviour can trigger an excited response from the dog. Maybe you want to be able to excite him or maybe you find he becomes excited when it is not appropriate for you. Remember that a dog will learn what our habits mean so be careful what you inadvertently teach the dog.
Watch out for the next knowledge additions