If a dog however sees the guardian acknowledging their concerns and dealing with the problem by using a convincing body language and a calm tonality each time no matter how trivial it appears to us, be it a leaflet coming through the door or a dog on the other side of the road, the dog will then assess our language, see that we acknowledge it and are doing something. In turn this will allow the dog to learn to trust the guardian in their role of protector and feel reassured of its environment. In short, understand the world from your dog’s perspective. If your dog looks scared go and have a look or move away from the situation depending on the scenario. This is where a dialogue communication starts and demonstrates you understand their concerns and are providing for their needs, so they don’t have to do it themselves.
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Blog 2 – Understanding the world from your dogs perspective
Nigel Reed • July 7, 2020
The most common mistake made by dog guardians is to assume their knowledge of the world on to the dog. The problem stems from an overfamiliarity of our environment knowing we are safe and so think the dog should know what we know. This assumption can be detrimental to the relationship if the dog does not fully understand you make the decisions relating to their needs.
We know the postman coming to the door is delivering mail, the dog on the other side of the street has no intention to come near us, the jogger is just jogging past, the vacuum cleaner is there to clean the floor, so we don’t get up and check the situation out.
The dog only has it’s guardian to look to for guidance when an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous situation presents itself. If at this moment the dog is fearful and we are not seen to act because we know the situation is not a problem. Then often the dog does not think we are doing anything about it. If a dog does not feel safe, it needs you the decision maker to be seen to be dealing with the problem. If you are not, they will have no choice but to do it themselves.
“A dog wants to feel safe or in control but will only give up control once they feel safe”
We know the postman coming to the door is delivering mail, the dog on the other side of the street has no intention to come near us, the jogger is just jogging past, the vacuum cleaner is there to clean the floor, so we don’t get up and check the situation out.
The dog only has it’s guardian to look to for guidance when an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous situation presents itself. If at this moment the dog is fearful and we are not seen to act because we know the situation is not a problem. Then often the dog does not think we are doing anything about it. If a dog does not feel safe, it needs you the decision maker to be seen to be dealing with the problem. If you are not, they will have no choice but to do it themselves.
“A dog wants to feel safe or in control but will only give up control once they feel safe”
Rant Possibly a controversial opinion, but I wish fireworks night didn’t exist, and frankly, I think we should ban it. Or at the very least, get rid of the loud ones. It’s not that I’m a killjoy, nor am I unfamiliar with big, exciting productions. I was in Sydney for the millennium—one of the biggest fireworks displays ever—and still, I didn’t feel the urge to say, "wow wee." In fact, after about 10 minutes, I was honestly a bit bored. Add to my lack of enthusiasm the fact that we know hundreds of thousands of dogs and other animals will be scared out of their fur, and I’m even less thrilled about it rolling around again. Now, I can already hear the counterarguments: "But it’s tradition!" "It’s fun for the kids!" And sure, I’m not saying we all sit in the dark knitting while the 5th of November passes by. But is the fleeting thrill of a multiple bangs really worth the mass hysteria it causes in pets? Let’s be honest, if we can switch to paper straws nearly overnight to save the turtles, surely we can rethink the whole fireworks situation? But we are where we are, so this blog is all about how to prepare for the upcoming chaos.
In this blog, complemented by an engaging video, we embark on the journey of Oreo, a dog who faced extreme reactivity challenges. The narrative unfolds through my engagement with Natalie, a single mum of three, exploring the depths of dog-on-dog aggression and its effects not only on the family but also on Oreo himself. Understanding Canine Aggression Understanding why dogs like Oreo exhibit aggressive behaviours towards other dogs and certain individuals is paramount. Factors such as fear, territorial instincts, misunderstanding of authority, and inadequate socialisation often lie at the core. Identifying these triggers is the first step in our approach to tackle the issue at its root.
Stress on both dogs and humans Addressing in-house dog aggression is an extremely stressful situation for the guardian and the dogs' fighting. The dogs often don't feel safe in each other's company and will react in many ways to demonstrate their discomfort, sometimes ending up into a full blown fight, as they have nowhere to disperse and calm down. This article offers practical advice for managing and addressing the aggression within your home, featuring a case study on two Labradors. For a more in-depth exploration and tailored guidance, our online dog training courses provide extensive resources and expert instruction. Key Strategies for Mitigating In-Home Dog Conflicts Strengthening Leadership and Structure : Learn the crucial role of establishing yourself as a consistent leader. Many problems arise when dogs fight for their owner's attention. If both dogs see you as leader they will understand you will give out attention when you decide and therefore not believe they are telling you what to do. Keep them apart: Once they have fought, their stress levels will be heightened and anticipating the next fight leading to agitated behaviour where they cannot properly rest. If you keep them apart for long enough, the memory of them fighting will fade. Reintroduction in stages: There will always be a place where they are comfortable with one another be that in another room where they can hear the other dog, or out on walks 5 meters apart. This will be your starting point. Then you can gradually get them closer over time, if they are comfortable. Case Study I was called by a client called Tony re his two Labradors, Max and Charlie. Max, the older of the two, had always been the more dominant dog, but as Charlie matured, he began to challenge this hierarchy, leading to tension and fights that disrupted the household's tranquility. Initial Assessment and Observations Upon my first visit, the signs of stress and anxiety were evident not just in Max and Charlie, but throughout their home. Both dogs exhibited signs of distress such as pacing, growling, and avoidance behaviours. Their owners, deeply committed to their pets' welfare, were understandably distressed by this sudden shift in dynamics. Implementing a Structured Leadership Approach The first step was to re-establish a sense of order and leadership within the household. This involved training sessions focused on reinforcing the owners' status as the decision makers and protectors. Simple commands and exercises were introduced to build respect and a bond between the dogs and their owners. Zone-Based Management for Stress Reduction To address the competition and human guarding that were fuelling the aggression, separate zones for feeding, playing, and resting were established but all was now done on the owner's terms. Max and Charlie were given their own spaces, equipped with their own beds, and feeding areas. This separation was crucial for reducing immediate tension and preventing further conflicts. Gradual Reintroduction With the household structure and individual needs addressed, the next phase involved the careful reintroduction of Max and Charlie under controlled and supervised conditions. Initial interactions were short and always positive on walks staying far apart but getting closer as they looked calm. They were in the front room separated by a divider with a blanket on it so they would be calm together but couldn't see each other. Over weeks, the blankets on the boundaries were removed, so they could see each other. On walks they were happy to interact so the last stage was to remove the boundary. At this point there were no issues. Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Strategies Throughout the reintroduction process, close monitoring was essential. If they hard stared one another they were put in timeout and the boundaries were brought back for another week. A Harmonious Conclusion After several months of consistent application of these strategies, Max and Charlie's relationship transformed. The aggression that once marked their interactions gave way to a calm coexistence, with moments of playfulness and mutual respect becoming the new norm. Their owners reported a significant improvement in the overall atmosphere of their home, reflecting the success of the tailored approach to managing in-house dog aggression. This detailed journey of Max and Charlie from conflict to harmony underscores the effectiveness of structured leadership, time apart to calm, and careful reintroduction strategies in resolving in-house dog aggression. For those seeking more in-depth guidance, our online dog training courses offer extensive resources to navigate these challenges and more, providing dog owners with the tools needed to foster peace and stability in their homes. Please find a video below for a before and after transformation.
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