Pup Behaviour and Pack Instinct

(By K.Neilsen)

 

I have done so much work with puppies over the years (through my work associated with the RSPCA & rescue homes) that are  "hypo", "Jumpy" Nippy" and ''yippy". I have never met a puppy that is not all of those things to some degree. But the thing I believe in is that it is not the puppies that need to be trained so much as the owners!!!! When you get a puppy you are not getting a toy you are getting an animal that is a pack animal and must from day one be treated as a pack animal.  In dog packs there is a never ending struggle for dominance. When you get a puppy you become the puppy's pack. Your Puppy will be looking for a leader and this needs to be YOU, your children need to be the next in the pecking order with the puppy at the bottom and nothing must ever allow the puppy dominance over any of member of your family!!

Never assume that a dog has forgotten any of its wild instincts, no matter what the breed, it is still a dog descending from wild animals and must always be treated as such!!!

In a pack the dominant dog ALWAYS eats first and leaves the rest of the pack the leftovers, so have your meal and after you have finished then feed your dog. This way it sees itself as getting whatever is left over and therefore it must be beneath you and anyone sharing your table.

The dominant dog will never allow a lesser to sit on it unless invited so you should never let your puppy assume the right to sit on you or on your chair or sleep on your bed with or without you as it will assume an equal position to you. While there is nothing better than having your dog snuggle with you make sure it is the exception to the rule, maybe you will have to sit on the floor to have that hug!! For a special treat let it be with you for only a limited time and only after it has accepted its role of bottom dog.

Again from their wild ancestor dogs are not very comfortable with patting right on top of their head -think of a predator swooping down. Also if you watch a pup being patted on its head, it will automatically bring its mouth -and teeth -up to whatever is doing the patting. So stroking under their muzzle is a much better way of showing affection.

Teach your children to do this.

Pups naturally lick the faces of their mothers in the wild -asking for food; remember in the wild the mother dog would regurgitate a meal for pups when weaning them, so they like to lick the faces of their superiors!

 

There is never an occasion for you to hit your dog.  If your dog is hurt by you it will become afraid and that is an extremely hard habit to break!!! The use of deterrents is much more effective and does not destroy the bond you have with your pet. Dogs are curious creatures and generally do not like loud noises so the rolled newspaper is more effective for the noise than the pain. Try hitting it on a wall or the floor and your dog will instantly stop what it is doing to see what you are doing and this gives you the opportunity for positive reinforcement!!! I love the use of positives as it gives you the chance to be loving and fun so that it is not all frustration I !The very second your dog does what you want it to do- praise, praise, praise!!!! I cannot stress it enough!

The other technique is one that the mother of your pup would employ and that is as soon as your pup does whatever the negative behaviour that you are trying to prevent, firmly but gently grab your pup by the scruff of the neck and growl at it using a deep loud voice say "no" or simply growl !!! As soon as the behaviour stops, praise!! So if you are trying to stop biting or nipping, as soon as your pup mouths you (do not pre-empt as this confuses the pup so wait till it has its mouth on you!!!) then scruff it and growl, when your pup comes to you without mouthing – praise, praise, praise!!!In this way she will learn very quickly that she will get the affection she wants from you by being gentle!!With small children it is often hard for them to be as firm as you may be, however they must be the ones to control the dog so as to gain the dogs respect. With very small children  I     would    use the noise to get the pups attention and then using the scruff technique teach pup that children are off limits. This may require that your children are not to be unsupervised with pup until these lessons are learnt, however that is part of the responsibility of owning a puppy.

 

Dogs are the most wonderful pet if treated well from day one. It is important to remember that dogs do not mature till they are around three years of age, so if you do not want all the work of a puppy often a grown dog is a good option. However, with a pup you get to train them to suit your family and home and that can be invaluable! This pup is a baby animal and so it is a little like having a small child around.  Unfortunately, there is really no cure to chewing they WILL chew and they will chew whatever they can get their teeth into especially for the first 18 months!! I had one dog that loved hoses I would come out to the yard every morning to find another hose chewed into tiny little pieces all over the yard!! The only guarantee you have with chewing is that they will destroy whatever you let them!!  So how do you keep your possessions safe???? Don't let your dog get them!! ! Give your dog safe things to destroy, accept you will spend ten minutes every morning picking up debris and replacing with the days new toys, especially when your pup is teething!! Do not think I own a hose fitting that has survived on my property for more than 24 hours because my girl is a great jumper and climber so no matter where we hide them she finds them and so as a result that is just a part of our weekly shopping.

 

No matter what you do, no matter what you try, you cannot stop your dog being a dog and lets face do you really want that?? Work with their natural instincts, encourage the good behavior. Exercise your dog regularly, take the time to play with them, let them love you, socialize them, pat them, be around them, let them have the time with you to get to know you and what you expect Your dog will see reactions in you that you are not even aware you are showing and this will tell them what you want from them. It takes time to form that bond. No great bonds will form within the first week of your time together, however keep in mind you have this puppy for a very long time for what could be one of the greatest relationships of your life I! It will take time - but what fun!!!

 

Recommended Reading: "Dog Man"by Martin McKenna