HOW DO WE HELP OUR DOG TO BECOME CALMER
Calmness in our dogs is actually very easy to achieve, by studying natural behaviour in dogs we can use their expert skills to deliver signals through body language/eye contact and body posture.
UNDERSTAND BODY LANGUAGE
Dogs are born understanding body language, in fact the dog does not need training in the skill because he is already an expert, it is the Human who needs to learn the valuable skill. Time taken to study the signals and messages given by the dog is invaluable, the dog can’t tell us his needs he has to show us, it is up to the human to understand and enrich the dog with his needs.
WHY DO DOG’S HAVE GREETING REPERTOIS
When a dog greets an animate being (human/dog) after a separation, he goes through a repertoire which involves Pacing trying to get eye contact, excited and erratic movements including jumping up and barking. This is all an effort to attract attention to gain eye contact.
IMPORTANCE OF EYE CONTACT
When dog’s greet after a separation they gather information about each other, one of the prime objectives is to gain eye contact so the greeting will be on their terms thus making them superior to the other. So the question being asked is Ok you have been away, so who’s in charge now. The superior dog will refuse to give eye contact, so the message given is “I’m fit and strong and I’ve got this. When the subordinate dog receives this message he will back down and accept the message, the repertoire will now be over and the subordinate dog will find a place to lay down and relax in the knowledge he has nothing to worry about because the leader is in control.
SIGNAL TO INTERACT
When the Alpha dog decides to interact with another he will summon the subordinates to him and give the eye contact on his terms. When a dog receives eye contact then he expects interaction, so indeed when we constantly look at our dogs they can’t settle because they are expecting something to happen for them and they continue to pace, when they receive no interaction they become stressed and attempt to attract attention to themselves, (WHAT DO YOU WANT OF ME) this could result in unwanted behaviours for example steeling objects, chewing etc.
CONCLUSION
So in real terms if we want our dogs to be calm and relaxed, take away unnecessary eye contact, take the pressure of the dog, as a result the dog will relax and look to you as leader creating a lasting bond with you.
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