When we bring a dog into our home we spend time with them, try to train them and give them plenty of our attention. We teach them their name, to sit, to come when called etc. This is a very exciting time for us and the dogs just love human attention. After some time we may begin to experience problems and find for example, that our dogs are not listening to us. They begin to ignore us and are no longer paying attention to our commands.
While you can spend as much time as you like interacting with your dog, there are some simple rules you can follow if you want a calm, confident and well-behaved dog.
You decide when to give your dog attention – not the dog!!
It’s up to you to decide when you want to talk, pet or play with your dog. Give him or her attention whenever you like, except for when he is demanding it. When my dog comes to me “uninvited” I don’t talk, pet, play or look at him. While watching TV I do not reach out to touch him as he approaches, or even glance at him. He looks at my face, learns that I’m busy, turns and walks away.
Remember, by giving your dog attention, you are rewarding whatever he or she is doing at the time. Unless you like a dog that jumps up and nudges you, ignore those behaviours and the dog will soon stop. Rather teach your dog that sitting quietly is the best way to get your attention. However, it is important to teach them what does work to get your attention.
You decide when the attention stops
You need to be in control of when you want to stop talking, petting or playing with your dogs. Give a clear signal that you wish to stop – say a word such as “finish!” or “enough!” You should then ignore the dog until he settles down. Always use the same word, so that your dog learns its meaning. All toys belong to me, the handler. There are no toys lying around anywhere on my property. At the end of a game the toy/s must be fetched and handed to me for ‘safekeeping’ until the next time.
Don’t reward unhealthy behaviour when you come home
When you come home only say hello when your dog is quiet. If your dog is excited or greets you over-enthusiastically, ignore him until he settles down. When I arrive home by car I open the car door and remain sitting until the dog has finished sniffing around and checking that I am well and truly back and eventually turns away. Only then do I get out, walk past the dogs who will then follow me to the house. After putting my things away I will call them to come for a proper greeting and a cuddle.
Help build your dog’s confidence
If your dog is worried about something, or acting agitated and you always respond by giving attention, he or she may become anxious (because you are inadvertently rewarding that behaviour) and develop separation anxiety. Not giving your dog attention ‘on command’ whenever he asks for it, will help ensure that he is confident on his own when you are not around.
By following these rules you can make all interactions with your dog positive and consistent, while at the same time, ensuring your dog doesn’t become too dependent on you.
(With acknowledgement to the RSPCA)
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