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k9 Behaviour + Training. INSTINCT + DRIVE Whatever breed of dog you own, it will have come to you with specific hard wired genetics, instincts and drives. How he develops, will depend on how much we understand the breed, and natural instincts. For instance, Dobermans, Rotties and GSDs have guarding instincts, Collies have herding instincts, Labs, Spaniels, Pointers and Hounds are hunters and retrievers, Terriers are hunters and diggers. We cannot teach these instincts, but we can either strengthen, channel, redirect or slightly reduce them, they will never go away. If the instinct is is suppressed or even encouraged, the dog may become frustrated, leading to reactivity, and difficult behaviours, even OCD. It is much better to allow the dog SOME expression of the drive + instinct in a controlled way. Using enrichment, searching, scent work, running, hunting, racing, and sports. Instinct also covers self-preservation. Most difficult behaviours are fear based, if a dog has not had good experiences with people, other dogs, traffic, noises etc, in the first few weeks and months, as he grows up he feels he has to take control of a situation himself, hence the barky, lungy dog. This is not aggression, it is fear and anxiety, wanting the thing to go away. (Until he learns there is nothing to fear, with good experiences). I have 2 Collies, one with a high prey drive, the other not, but they both have the 'Collie Eye'.. which funnily, is called 'Clapping', hence the expression to 'clap eyes on', to stare at the sheep or ball...daring it to move! It comes naturally. So, know and understand your dog's natural instincts. 
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 Preparing for ADOLESCENCE. Crazy dog..! This can happen at around 8-10 months, and maybe again at 18-20 months, in the significant stages of growth for a young dog, the hormone surge / fear phases. So, your lovely young dog who normally behaves, never wees inside, hasn’t nipped anyone for ages, and plays happily with other dogs, suddenly goes haywire. You ask, where did this hyperactive, destructive, crazy creature come from? Good news, your puppy is a healthy, normal adolescent. SIGNS of Adolescence. Reactivity towards other dogs, heaps of hyperactive energy, reduced attention span, poor socialisation, disobedience, wandering, leg cocking (males) chewing and other difficult behaviours. COPING with Adolescence. Listen to your dog, understand what is happening, keep up the training, go back to basics. Aim for mental stimulation. Right now, it’s essential to keep working on every aspect of his training: give him lots of praise and rewards to boost his self-esteem. and confidence. Don’t give up – adolescence won’t last forever. Dream Tip Training + Bip Behaviour: AROUSAL THRESHOLD.
Recently, I have come across a number of puppies / young dogs who are presenting all of a sudden with reactivity. I hear "Where has my happy puppy gone?". Have you heard of the AROUSAL BUCKET? Did you know that a dog 'collects' any stimulus (a visitor to the house, a walk on lead, motorbikes, people, rabbits, squirrels, a game of tuggy, a reactive meeting on the walk... etc etc.) These episodes are stored in the dog's Arousal Bucket.. and accumulate throughout the day. Eventually, if the stimulus, triggers and arousals are allowed to reach the top of the bucket, this is called the THRESHOLD. Onced Threshold is reached, it can take up to 72 HOURS to come back down to a happy level..! That is more than 2 days...! Potentially, the dog's choices of behaviour AT Threshold are influenced by his being over aroused, he may not listen, could snap, react and any manner of crazy things. SO...is your dog getting enough 'TIME OUT episodes, with proper switched off periods of rest through the day? This will allow the bucket to 'drain away'.. leaving your dog calmer and able to make wise decisions of behaviour. Be your dog's 'Superhero'. Help them to rest and switch off. |
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May 2024
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