To get an obedient, calm dog, each pack leader must understand how they work. To do this, you need to understand their psychology. It is explained by Siza in the book “Five natural laws of dogs”. He writes: “If you are going to be a bellwether for your dogs, you need to understand who they are and what they need.”
It is one thing to learn all the laws, and another-to learn to apply them in practice to help the dog. Here are the instructions to learn.
- Dogs obey instincts
As dogs obey their instincts, they live in the moment, react immediately to what is happening. Therefore, it is important to correct them when they behave incorrectly, and not to pay special attention to their missteps.
Encourage dogs’ instincts, let them be dogs, don’t humanize them – don’t treat them like children. Learn to listen to your instincts and live the moment.
- Energy is a life for dogs
Energy is the main way dogs communicate with each other, while humans do it with words. Dogs can associate words with special objects or actions, although in most cases it’s just your energy and tone. The dog understands what you want with their help. You can say any nonsense, like “digital shoes for the toaster clown,” but excitedly, and your dog will be as happy as if you said “Do you want to go for a walk?”
We transmit our energy through words and body language, and dogs respond best when calm, confident energy comes from you. When our intentions become clear, it is easier for dogs to understand. When we are stressed or unclear, our words confuse dogs, and they react accordingly.
- Dogs: animals, species, breeds
Dogs identify themselves as animals. This makes sense, because animals obey instincts and are guided by energy flows. Since they have no words, dogs see themselves as a separate species that is different from squirrels or cats, but similar to all other dogs.
They don’t understand what a breed is. They just demonstrate typical traits to some of them – for example, huskies drag, Terriers hunt. A dog name is just a word you say to get their attention. A dog will never think like people “I am (name)”.
To get used to this rule, you need to allow the dog to be a dog and communicate with it as an animal, not a person. Never call the dog by name when correcting it – it will create negative associations.
- Dog’s feelings create her reality
Dogs explore the world through sensory organs in the following order – nose, eyes, ears. Long before you notice anything, they have already known where another dog or squirrel is lurking. They can smell them. A dog’s instinct is a thousand times stronger than a man’s.
That’s why the sense of smell can be such an important tool in training. Eyes and ears follow the sense of smell, the dog will focus on the goal, and this will help treat or praise. You can also use smells unpleasant to dogs (but not felt by humans) to create invisible boundaries.
- Dogs are social animals
Dogs feel better when there are several leaders around. Most dogs don’t want to be responsible, and they’re happy when the leader says what he’s doing. Without a leader, they can get confused, fade away, become aggressive and try to fill the void.
By adhering to these laws, you will become the leader they need: confident, calm, allowing the dog to be a dog.