15/08/2016
WALKING YOUR DOG
This is a "ritual" that is very much underrated. Walking your dog transcends simply dawdling with your canine companion or catching some fresh air in clement weather. It’s an exercise that teaches your dog basic obedience and strengthens your position as "the boss" in that human-canine relationships.
Before I delve into the art of dog walking I wish to state, and rather emphatically, that there’s no such thing as a "badly-behaved dog". Bad owners? Yes, those are rather pervasive. Your dog is not a human being. There is a reason why it walks on all fours, is covered with fur and barks or yips. It is a dog, a canine and thus a beast. Just like a child, you train the dog to behave in a certain agreeable way. Your inability to do this is your failure and not your dog's. That’s like blaming your car when you drive it into a tree or off the road.
Dogs are naturally pack animals. No matter how tamed our domesticated your dog is, that’s not going to change. When dogs move in packs they're always led by the leader, the alpha dog. It’s very important when you walk your dog to NEVER ALLOW IS TO WALK IN FRONT OF YOU!!!!. When your dog walks in front of you he assumes the position of alpha dog which puts it in a very undesirable mental state. A dog walking in front does not drain their mental energy. They are not relaxed and following, as they have a big responsibility to be leading the pack. This mental anguish can build up inside of a dog. When a dog is hyper or high strung it means the dog is not getting the proper amount and or type of exercise. If your dog runs laps around your yard or house it is an indication that they are not getting enough exercise.
A HYPER DOG IS NOT A HAPPY DOG! For a dog, excitement does not indicate happiness. In most cases it is a sign of a dog who is not mentally stable. When you come home after being gone, avoid speaking to your dog in an excited manner for a few minutes. Go and do something else first. If we see dogs has human, the thought of a dog's excitement not being a sign of happiness, does not make sense, however, we must remember dogs are canines, not humans.
These are steps I would advocate you follow in walking your dog.
1.Call the dog to you when you want to put the leash around its neck to go for a walk. it is very important that you dog knows whose decision it was in the first place to have the walk. Call it, let it sit quietly in front of you for about a quarter on a minute, then put the leash on it.
2.Lead the dog outside the house. It is very important that you do this, even if it’s a mere step in front of the dog, the dog should know it’s you who's taking it outside its familiar territory, i.e your home.
3.The lead should be short and hang loose. If the dog starts to pull, snap (tug) the lead up and to the side throwing him off balance, then hold the lead loosely again (a very quick tug). If the dog starts getting too excited and you're not keeping him beside or behind you, stop and make the dog sit. Wait until he is calm than start again. Do not call to the dog when you start walking again, just start walking. Pack leaders do not call the pack to come with them, the pack instinctually follows. The dog needs to learn he is following you, and tune into the person walking the dog. Do not praise your dog for walking calmly. This only creates excitement and you are more likely to pull your dog out of his calm, submissive mind.
4.The dog is not to sniff the ground and relieve themselves where they please; they are to concentrate on following their handler while walking. The person walking the dog decides when the dog is allowed to sniff or p*e, not the dog. It is ok to allow your dog to sniff around and do his business, however, only when you decide it is ok. The dog needs to see you are leading him, he is not leading you.
5.If you pass a barking dog or other distraction, keep moving forward. If your dog averts its attention to the distraction, give a tug on the lead to avert the attention back to the walk at hand. If the tug does not work you can also use your foot, not to kick the dog, but to touch him enough to snap his attention back on you. If you find the dog pulling, stop and make the dog sit. Correct any excited behavior over the distraction with a tug, and if that does not work you can also use a firm touch to the neck using your hand as a claw. Do this as soon as you see the dog starting to avert his gaze toward the distraction, or as soon as you see a look in your dog's eyes that tells you he is going to begin barking or growling. Timing is everything. This must be done right before the behavior happens or at the exact moment it starts. You do not want to wait until it escalates. If you wait too long before correcting a dog (were talking seconds), the dog may not even hear you; he will be too focused on the distraction. When correcting your dog, match your dog’s intensity.
6.Walk at a good pace, keeping your shoulders held high. Dogs can sense tension or lack of confidence. Walk proud, like you are a strong leader. A dog will respond to this, it will sense it.
And always remember, a hyper dog is not a happy dog......WOOF!
