In a wild (natural) environment, canines live in packs. The pack has a much better chance of survival than a lone individual. Packs can hunt much more efficiently; defence of territory and protection of pups and food caches can be shared by many individuals. The safety of the pack is essential for survival; any strange smell, sound, sight or event in the environment can be a clue to a danger that needs to be addressed. The dog instinctively investigates any change in the environment. We call changes distractions – the boy on a bike, the truck horn, the new dog next door. The problem is that in a home, a dog can become confused. His alarm bark in the house can alert to strangers lurking outside. That’s a good thing. When he barks at the TV during programs with dogs or scary sounds, we may be annoyed.
In my opinion, training can be accomplished without completely dumbing the dog down. I like my dog to be on the alert. What your goal should be is that when the dog is with you in a training situation, he must learn to trust that you will handle the situation. In the sit-stay work, we walk around the dog, shake the lead and other moves to teach the dog that he must not move until he is asked to. The decision to move must be the purview of the handler. In a human environment, the handler must make the calls as he most often will know best. Having said that, animal sense must be respected. I once had a palomino gelding who kept me out of more than a few bogs and sinkholes as I ventured into the forests of western Alberta. His call was always the right one.
Keep in mind that cars whipping by on the road can frighten a young dog. This is natural; it does not have its origin in disobedience. Stray dogs and dogs who are on leads but out of the handler’s total control are also legitimately threatening. Tightening up your leash and thus limiting your dog’s space can lead to aggression. Give the dog some room to meet the other dog and keep your dog between you and the other dog. If the other dog gets between you and your dog it may lead to protective aggression by your dog. Allow for a friendly encounter or a timely avoidance as the situation calls for.
Over time, these adventures will habituate the dog to various stimuli and what once were distractions will become just normal aspects of life out there in the big world. The dog will learn to trust you and the world he inhabits. The distractions, worked through, will help him get there. Eliminate tension when a distraction occurs. They help you and the dog become seasoned and competent. Calmly dealt-with distractions soon become commonplace non-events and you and the dog will have just moved up a huge relationship notch.
Ravinn O. West is kennelmaster and trainer at Ravendale Kennel and Training Centre at Cochrane, Alberta. Her latest book, The Tao of Dogs is available from www.ravinnwest.com You may send questions or comments to her via [email protected]
