Dominant Dog
What is the dominant dog? Some people attribute all inappropriate or aggressive dog behaviors to "dominance", while others do not want to use the "dominance" label at all. It is useful to recognize dominance behaviors in your dog so that you can better manage your dog, keep him s
afe, and set him up for success. Refusing to use the word dominance, or denying its existence in dogs is unhelpful. Any pack animal, including humans and dogs, have to deal with dominance because it is part of pack dynamics. Similarly, trying to explain everything away by using the dominance label or excuse is also unhelpful. To really fix a problem, we must fully understand it, and correctly identify its source. A dog may bite, for example, because he is trying to show dominance. However, a bite can also be a result of fear, stress, play, curiosity, boredom, or something else.Dominance, is a fluid concept. Some dogs may assert more dominance in particular circumstances, for example, when they are on home turf, or when their owner is around. Under different circumstances, these same dogs may be less dominant, or even submissive. Observe your dog carefully, and identify when he is more likely to show dominance, and why.
Dominance is a relative concept. My Shiba Inu, for example, is more dominant than most dogs I have owned, most of the time. He challenges me more frequently, and is constantly testing his boundaries. His posture is usually one of dominance, and he will not back down when challenged by other dogs. My Siberian Husky, on the other hand, is a much more submissive dog. She usually stops doing whatever she is doing when I tell her to. She very quickly backs down, and uses submissive body language, when challenged by other dogs.
What is a dominant dog?
1. A dominant dog challenges you more frequently and is constantly testing his boundaries. My Shiba Inu is always testing to see if particular rules (no getting on furniture, no humping other dogs) still hold true.
2. A dominant dog is more likely to fight when challenged. My Shiba Inu likes playing with other dogs, but he generally does not get along with dogs who try to dominate him. When challenged, he will not back down, and this can result in a dog fight.
3. A dominant dog will more likely respond with aggression when frustrated; and will likely redirect that aggression onto you if you try and stop him.
Note that certain behavioral issues including resource guarding, biting humans, dog-to-dog aggression, sensitivity to handling, growling at humans, and disobedience, are often attributed to "the dominant dog". However, each of these problems are unique, and complex. They usually are the result of a range of issues, one of which may be dominance. Many behavioral issues may also be the result of stress and fear, and not be related to dominance at all.
Dealing with a dominant dog
1. Dogs with more dominant personalities need an owner who is always calm and firm. Anger and shouting at your dog will only worsen his behavior. Fear and uncertainty will cause him to become even more dominant. The best way to deal with a dominant dog is to remain calm, and to firmly remove him from the environment or object that is causing him to act out.
2. Contrary to common belief, physical force or physical corrections is not a good way to deal with dominant dogs. If not perfectly executed (with perfect timing, force, and technique), a physical correction may further frustrate your already frustrated dog, and cause him to get more aggressive. Instead, stay calm, keep physical interactions to a minimum, and quickly remove your dog from the stressful situation. Using physical force against a dominant dog may end up teaching him the wrong lesson, i.e. use violence against violence. True alpha dogs lead by controlling the pack's resources, i.e. following the NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) program.
3. Dominant dogs should be carefully managed and watched. You want to step in and stop any aggressive behaviors before your dog escalates. Prevention is key when dealing with a dominant dog because it stops your dog from practicing his dominant behaviors, and it enforces the important lesson that your are calm and in charge.
4. Dominant dogs should have more rules, and you should always be consistent with enforcing those rules.
5. Dominant dogs should have short but frequent, obedience training sessions, throughout their lives, so that it is clear that you are in charge.
6. Use proper equipment to control a dominant dog, so that you and others remain safe, at all times. However, be careful not to aggravate your dog's aggressive behavior by overly constraining him, and causing barrier frustration. When in doubt, consult a professional trainer. It may be useful to leave a drag lead on your dog, so that you can easily control him without physically laying hands on him or his collar, and without resorting to chasing games. Make sure to use a flat collar and not a training collar.
7. Remember to always set your dog up for success, and try to minimize the number of dominant displays. Identify objects (e.g. other dogs, cats) and environmental conditions (e.g. loud noise) that trigger dominant behaviors, and avoid those triggers. Then, gradually desensitize your dog to those triggers, in a controlled fashion.
By Sephy Shake
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น