To understand and communicate effectively with your dog, we need to learn how a dogs brain works and remember that they operate differently to humans.
Although sometimes we could swear sometimes that they can read our mind, have a memory like an elephant and can see into the future, the truth is actually far from it. Yes, they are excellent at reading our body language and cues, but they can't read our mind and no, they don't have a crystal ball either.
Dog's are, however, masters at pattern recognition. Ever told your dog off for chewing something they shouldn't have - perhaps as a puppy?
I am willing to bet the very first time you came home to find your favorite pair of sneakers chewed, your puppy ran up to you happily - not a clue what he had done wrong!
However -the second time you come home and your shoes are chewed, what did your puppy do? He cowered and slunk into the corner, didn't he?
That's not because he "knew" what he had done, its because he remembers what happened last time you came home and is expecting the same again. What happens next is that your dog develops an anxiety about you coming home and starts chewing things to relieve that tension, because chewing things releases those "feel-good" hormones.
So, telling him off has had the opposite effect - sorry Nike Air's!
The brains of dogs differ from our brains in these fundamental ways:
•Dogs live in the present
•They don’t ponder the future or dwell in the past (unless we constantly remind them of it!)
•Their brains work on Cause & Effect (if I do "x", "y" will happen)
•They are masters of pattern recognition (Mum usually picks up the leash and her car keys before we go on a walk)
•They pick up on your energy & mood (whether you know it or not!)
•Will either lead or be led (leading your dog appropriately is actually a relief to your dog!)
•LOVE structure (knowing what usually happens and when)
•Behavioural problems can occur with no leader (dogs without leaders will naturally try and lead themselves)
Dogs don't "know" what's going to happen unless it's a pattern that has occurred previously. They don't whimsically spend time pondering the future.
So what should you do when you get home and the dog has chewed your shoes? Give yourself a slap. You shouldn't have left your shoes out. Do better next time. But don't make your dog pay for your silly mistake because he'll have no idea what he's being told off for when you get home.
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