Hemmings On Dogs

HEMMINGS ON DOGS

Dogs are like children; you can not improve them with training, you can only make them worse. So to live at peace with your dog, do the minimum ‘training’ consistent with having them behave in a civilised manner. The following words should help.

Dogs (like children) are born with an innate desire to please. This is entirely natural; we feed them, exercise them, protect them, and, in any case, it is nicer to live in peace than at war. So if you let them know what you expect, they will practically always accommodate to your desires.

The problem is how to let them know what you desire. Because they can not speak does not mean they are stupid. They know immediately if you are angry, or happy, or concerned, or ill, or confused. So do not think you can fool your dog, it knows. "Good Dog" or "No" spoken firmly is really all you need to communicate clearly with your dog.

There ae two things of supreme importance to your dog; who is the boss and what are the rules/routines.

Your dog needs to know you are the boss. If you are not the boss, then the dog has to assume you want it to be the boss. It is very confusing for a dog to be the boss. Who are the enemy against whom he has to protect you, why do you not go walking with him when he wants you to, how come he can not jump onto the counter and eat the steak. Being boss makes the dog aggressive, anxious, and generally unpleasant.

So make it clear that you are the boss, he eats when you say, he walks when you so desire, you go through the door first unless you tell him otherwise, he does not jump onto the sofa unless invited to do so.

He also needs to know the rules/routines of the house. These need to be consistent and reasonable. It does not really matter what they are - the dog can cope. What he can’t cope with is a rule on Monday that is different on Tuesday or rules with conditional clauses.

There are few rules which have to apply to all dogs; come, heel, sit and stay. To have a dog which does not come when called is to make your life purgatory. To have a dog who won’t walk to heel, who jumps around and who won’t sit still is nearly as bad. And to have a dog which won’t stay put when told to do so is dangerous. These rules take a little patience and practice. But these is absolutely no reason why your dog does not learn these rules and does not obey them on every occasion they are expressed.

Do not issue an instruction you can not enforce and make no exceptions. Start with a lead but he should learn to obey these without a lead.

You and your dog both have the right to happy life. Remember, it is never the dog’s fault when things do not go well, it is always your fault. If the dog is doing something not to your liking, your behaviour is the source. Fix it and harmony will prevail.

HEMMINGS ON DOGS - TIPS
　
If your dog runs off and does not come back when called, turn around and walk off in the opposite direction. Dogs are pack animals and do not like being left alone. He will notice you are not there and will coming running back to find you. Tell him how good he is to come back (a few ‘good dog’s should suffice). After few experiences he will keep an eye on you and come when called.

If your dog has a tendency to jump up (muddy paws on clean white skirts!), put your hand out so he bumps into it and say ‘no’. Do it without exception until he learns that this behaviour is not acceptable.

Dog’s behaviour is largely determined by its breed. Some dogs are bred for biting (bulldogs), some for fetching and carrying (retrievers), some for herding (sheepdogs), some for protecting stock (shepherds), some for seeking out prey (spaniels). Do not own a spaniel unless you are prepared to walk it a mile or more per day. Choose a dog whose innate behaviour matches your circumstances.

Dogs stray and bitches don’t. If you have an unfenced garden, your dog will wander off looking for a little action. Bitches prefer to stay at home (and let the action come to them!).

Dogs characters are formed in the first four to six months of their lives. Get as young a puppy as you can and then both socialise it and familiarise it. Socialise means get it used to being around people and other dogs without being anxious.. Familiarise means getting it used to being in unfamiliar surroundings without being afraid. In both cases, if you are at ease, the dog will learn to be at ease.

Dogs learn quickly who are members of their pack and where are the boundaries of their territory. They learn from you who is friend and who is foe, where they belong and where they are visitors.

Dogs live in the now. If your dog runs off and does not come when called but rather returns when if feels like it, it is pointless (or worse) to reprimand it for not coming back when called. It will assume it is being reprimanded for coming back and get very confused. You will be angry, the dog frightened and misery will prevail. Start again at Tip 1.