Leadership Is...
Being
that thing first that you want your dog to be - attentive, aware, calm,
grounded, patient, respectful - comfortable, confident and normal.
Leadership Is Not...
Step One Training for the Human
a) Be aware of what and how you communicate;
b) Have a basic understanding of how dogs communicate
Step Two - Basic Does and Don'ts
Common Mistakes...
Most dogs, will instinctively know what they are being asked to do if they are communicated with & shown in the right way at the right time & provided with the right tools to navigate safely & confidently through situations.
Step Three - Your Dog Needs Structure
Humans
require structure in their lives - so do dogs. In the absence of work, a
hobby, something productive to focus on, a goal(s) to keep wits sharp
and mind fulfilled a human becomes aimless, anxious, depressed...and so
it is for a dog. As a species we mentor our children - helping them to
cope with normal daily life situations - when this is done properly the
child becomes a grounded and confident being. Dogs require that same
mentoring.
Why do humans have so many rules and laws within their societies? To provide consistent, clear direction for the mass of humanity. Why is this necessary - well because most humans are not born leaders - they look to specific individuals to 'light and pave' the way. Given the opportunity most people will make decisions based on emotion and impulse - not logic. Inadequate training in strategic decision making gets people in trouble - and so it is for dogs as well. Most dogs are not born leaders - they are by natural disposition followers.
While some dogs are natural leaders, most are not and as such they look for leadership.
A dog requires:
An overarching structure in his/her life. Within that broad structure there should exist...
A framework for each and every typical daily situation, i.e. social and life skills for example:
To exit from the house out the door and into the backyard...
The dog must go through a series of steps - psychological and physical to 'ask' permission and in this way the dog learns to connect and work with its human by navigating through a series of what I call 'gateways'. In so doing the dog knows that it will be provided with direction, that it will not be permitted to escalate to intense behaviour, that it must stop and think...
More on The Basic Tools of Leadership
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Observe
a dog interacting with another dog. Dogs that are psychologically well
balanced dogs - not anxious, reactive, fearful etc. A confident, well
socialized dog uses subtle means of communication to teach or correct
another dog. Most of what occurs is posturing primarily conveyed through
body language, although there may be verbalization at times. Have you
ever watched dogs playing and observed what happens when one dog is too
pushy with the other dog. The dog who objects to the pushy behavior
disengages from the play by calmly ceasing physical contact and turning
his/her head away from the other dog. this is leading by example. Calm,
patient , non-confrontational, logically directive and respectful - not
dominating, not unnecessarily intrusive, not aggressive.
Leadership Is Not...
Leadership is not domination and has nothing to do with being an ‘Alpha’ - a much misunderstood, over-used and misused term. You should never aspire to being an 'alpha' to your dog - read why here. It is unfortunate that many veterinarians, trainers and people have adopted the false concept of the alpha dog.
The
starting point, the very core of teaching a dog to be a good dog is not
about habituating a dog to sit, stay or lie down. Teaching a dog to be a
good dog starts with educating the human about the true nature and
requirements of the dog. Dogs in their natural state are generally
'good'. Without intending to do so many humans take away a dog's ability
to fulfill themselves as a dog. This sets the stage for 'unhealthy' dog behavior.
When the human understands the basic principles of how to fulfill the
'dog in the dog', the human is in a better position to enable the best
in their dog and themselves.
Step One Training for the Human
b) Have a basic understanding of how dogs communicate
Step Two - Basic Does and Don'ts
- Not controlling your own emotions;
- Not engaging in a working, logical mode.
- Engaging in emotive mode;
- Providing incomplete direction to a dog
- Arguing, complaining rather than directing -
- i.e. 'I wish you wouldn't do that', 'Oh, stop that' etc. There is a vast difference between complaining and instructing!
- Not stopping -
- i.e. if your dog is 'not behaving', 'not listening', stop what you are doing, don’t keep moving forward; stop and address - then continue.
Most dogs, will instinctively know what they are being asked to do if they are communicated with & shown in the right way at the right time & provided with the right tools to navigate safely & confidently through situations.
Step Three - Your Dog Needs Structure
Why do humans have so many rules and laws within their societies? To provide consistent, clear direction for the mass of humanity. Why is this necessary - well because most humans are not born leaders - they look to specific individuals to 'light and pave' the way. Given the opportunity most people will make decisions based on emotion and impulse - not logic. Inadequate training in strategic decision making gets people in trouble - and so it is for dogs as well. Most dogs are not born leaders - they are by natural disposition followers.
While some dogs are natural leaders, most are not and as such they look for leadership.
A dog requires:
An overarching structure in his/her life. Within that broad structure there should exist...
A framework for each and every typical daily situation, i.e. social and life skills for example:
- Entering and exiting a door, room, etc.
- The use of couches and beds
- How to take treats
- How to wait for food and respect others food
- How to share toys and treats
- How to get ready for a walk
- How to great a human or another dog
- How to play
- etc.
To exit from the house out the door and into the backyard...
The dog must go through a series of steps - psychological and physical to 'ask' permission and in this way the dog learns to connect and work with its human by navigating through a series of what I call 'gateways'. In so doing the dog knows that it will be provided with direction, that it will not be permitted to escalate to intense behaviour, that it must stop and think...
- The dog should not be pressed up against the door, but instead should yield the space by the door and wait several feet away from the door
- The dog should make eye-contact with its human
- The dog should wait for the human to yield the space in-front of the door and/or wait for a gesture or signal that it may proceed out the door
- The dog should be calm and attentive throughout this entire process.
More on The Basic Tools of Leadership
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Important Note
1.0 Use of Foods, Herbs, Alternative Medicines:
Safe use of items and protocols in the article above, is your sole responsibility.
Foods, herbs and alternative medicines have health issue, condition and conventional drug interactions. Safe use of all substances and protocol are your responsibility.
Before you use any substance or protocol do your research. Check for cautions, contradictions, interactions and side effects. Do not use substances or protocols not suitable to your animal's individual circumstances.
If your animal has an underlying condition substances and protocols may conflict.
2.0 Definition of Holistic…
Food, herbs, alternative medicines are NOT ‘holistic’ they are a substance and MAY, or may NOT be ‘NATURAL’.
If you use a ‘natural’ substance (ie. an herb) you are using a natural substance, not a holistic substance.
Holistic is not defined by use of one or several substances. Holistic is an approach.
Definition of “holistic” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press
Adjective
"relating to the whole of something or to the total system instead of just to its parts"
"Holistic medicine attempts to treat the whole person, including mind and body, not just the injury or disease."
Holistic is a way of approaching life, and within that health, and well-being.
3.0 Expectation a natural substance remedies a health or behavioral situation.
A natural substance used to treat symptoms. But, if factors causing the underlying issue remain you do not have a remedy.
Remedy requires a comprehensive approach. It is necessary to identify root cause. Remove items that trigger, cause or otherwise contribute to issues. Holistic approach includes design, implementation to treat, remedy and maintain long-term health.
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Wishing your dog and cat the best of health!
Karen Rosenfeld
Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer
Holistic Behaviorist - Dogs
Holistic Diet Nutrition Wellness Adviser – Dogs and Cats
karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca
1-613-622-1139
1-613-293-3707
00-1-613-622-1139
00-1-613-293-3707