Basic Manners For My Dog

Do you remember why you got a dog? There are many reasons for this, however essentially the desire is to improve ones quality of life through companionship. All too often though, we are frustrated by all the new troublesome issues we now have to handle as a result of our new companion. Recent studies show the most common behavioral concerns are nuisance activity, such as jumping, barking, and digging, not following directions, lack of socialization (with people and other dogs), and soiling in the house. Essentially what most people want from their dogs is basic manners.

In order to correct the issue, you must have a basic understanding of the psychological needs of dogs. Dogs are pack animals, social creatures. Dogs live in a social unit referred to as a pack. In order for a pack to be successful, the pack must work as a cohesive unit. This is accomplished by establishing order within the pack with a leader, the alpha dog. When there is order, the pack is successful in surviving and as a result passes on their genes to future generations.
When there is no order, for example, as a result of an ineffectual or non-existent leader, the pack fails. The individuals of the pack sense the threat to their livelihood, which results in anxiety. The anxiety leads to fighting and chaos within the pack. Order is only restored and the pack can return to hunting and reproduction, only when a new alpha is determined.
There are numerous opinions on how humans establish this with their own pack. It was a common thought during the 1980's that we must make our dogs physically submit to us. This is referred to as Alpha Rolling. Alpha rolling is a contest of who is stronger both physically and emotionally. Webster defines a contest as a struggle for superiority or victory, a competition. In a competition, the outcome is undetermined. It is a dangerous thing to leave the emotional well being and your personal safety to chance. In too many circumstances the dog only learns that if he struggles hard enough, he will win. This only teaches that he has the power to contest humans.
Current animal behavioral research has shown that the use of force, such as alpha rolling, pinch collars and choke chains often times creates more anxiety for dogs. This is especially true when using these techniques in correcting an undesirable behavior. It is well established that learning with positive reinforcement for correct behaviors is twice as fast as and longer lasting than the use of negative enforcement (punishment). Anxiety only exacerbates the behaviors that you are trying to correct!
The proper method for obtaining manners in dogs is to use a training technique referred to as deference training. Webster defines deference as respect and esteem due a superior or elder. In other words, out of respect to us, they defer to us for direction. The way this is accomplished is by controlling the actions of the dog so that they can only respond in the fashion we wish and then lavishing them with attention. The reason this method works is that it takes advantage of the primary characteristic in dogs that has allowed us to domestic them over hundreds of years ago: they want to please us.
The first step is to perform an honest assessment of yourself and current living conditions. Are you truly committed to having this dog as a companion? Do you and your family have the time and ability to invest in your dog? If you and your family are unable to devote the time and effort necessary, then it may be necessary to make changes in your lifestyle or perhaps find another loving home for your dog.
Deference training is all about control. The objective is to control a situation so that the only response your dog can give will be the desirable one. This is accomplished by a few simple changes. First of all, when you are not there to supervise his activities, he must be confined to a kennel. The kennel provides a safe place for your dog and prevents him from doing activities that are undesirable without correction. On the surface this seems cruel to "cage" your dog. To the contrary, dogs being den creatures often times find this to be comforting.
A routine, predictable schedule should be created. This will allow your dog to fall into a routine that they understand. This reduces anxiety and clarifies for them what they are to do next. I want to have my dogs going to bed roughly the same time everyday, and arising the same time every day. Schedule two feedings per day, with a maximum of 5 minutes to consume their allotted amount of food. Also schedule a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity daily. The type of play and duration will need to be adjusted based on your dogs' physical ability, age and temperament. Remember that the alpha in a pack controls the activities of its members.
Careful observation of natural canine behavior has also elicited many new opinions of how the alpha maintains control. Physical force is a technique reserved as a last resort. Common sense would tell you that the last thing the pack needs is self-inflicted injury. The pecking order is often established and maintained by much subtler actions. For instance, elevation is relevant to status, with the subordinate below the superior. This may be exhibited by placing the paws or head over the shoulders of another, or it may be simply by getting the choice resting area that is higher than the others. Therefore, it is recommended that dogs be only on the floor. It is not recommended to pick them up to your face, let them on the bed or furniture and we should never lower ourselves to them. When interacting with dogs, they must always sit before they get any attention, food, etc. They must earn our attention, and we will only give it to them when they sit. For older dogs or dogs with arthritis, it may be more comfortable to lie down. This is fine as long as we are always above them, even bending over them to pet the head/ shoulders.
We let our dogs know that we are in charge by our physical stature, our posture, and position. You as the owner can do this in simple steps to bring order to your dogs' daily life. You reinforce the good behaviors, which I define as being relaxed, calm and receptive, by giving your attention. You allow negative behaviors to extinguish by withholding attention/ rewards. The end result of your work is a loving relationship in which the roles are well defined and expectations are clear. Not unlike a parent-child relationship, dogs thrive when they know what is expected of them, the rules are clear and the consequences of their actions are consistent.
This article "Basic Manners For My Dog" by Dr. David Steele can also be found in the published April/May 2007 issue of Lowcountry Dog Magazine.