Growing a puppy or trying to call an adult dog to order, we sometimes do not understand the reason for our failures. Why, despite the tiring weekly trips to the training ground, attempts at a strict attitude or affectionate treatment, the dog behaves, at times, in an utter way and brings you a lot of disappointment. Most of the owners tend to blame the problems with raising a dog on the “wrong” breed of a pet, puppy diseases, the lack of qualifications of a training instructor … Or they sigh sadly: “What can you do, she was born so stupid with us!”. In fact, the box of harmonious relationships with a dog (and with anyone else) is extremely easy to open. we ourselves, without realizing it, continuously shape the behavior of all living beings around us. Moreover, often we are also responsible for their physical and mental health!
How does this happen? Let’s explain with an example. Once, while walking, your young dog heard a gunshot or any other loud sound. Naturally, she instinctively twitched and flattened her ears. Your actions? Naturally — quickly reassure, explain that everything is in order. What does a dog learn? First — most likely, something really terrible happened, since you paid attention to it. Second — if you want to be caressed once again — pretend to be frightened as much as possible! Of course, the dog does not reason in this way, but, nevertheless, the attitude “to be afraid of loud noises” is successfully fixed in behavior. How will an experienced and reasonable owner behave? will not pay the slightest attention to the fright of the dog, and in the case of a particularly diligent demonstration of horror, he will also “give up” — so as not to encourage cowardice! Say — no, it’s too cruel, it will spoil the psyche of the dog … Not at all! A dog brought up so harshly, not meeting sympathy for his fright, grows up confident in his abilities and in the power of his master. The psyche of the dog will suffer if every time you hear a loud sound or encounter any other situation in which the dog can “rescue”, you will behave unpredictably for the dog. For example, one day you will sympathize with her, and another time you will get angry at your own formed timid behavior. Not knowing what to expect from you next time, the dog will start to be afraid of you. Observing dogs and their owners, we noticed that, as a rule, dogs of owners who are rather kind and attentive to the dog, but tend to behave unpredictably from time to time, turn out to be cowardly. The conclusion suggests itself — the owners almost always form undesirable behavior in the dog by their own efforts! How does this happen?
First of all, let’s understand the terms. In modern training (as well as in the training of any living creature in general, including humans), the concept of «reinforcement» is now accepted. Reinforcement — an action or a conditional signal that accompanies any action of the object, carrying information to it about the expediency of this action. Simply put, — the dog climbed into the buffet, ate all the gingerbread (delicious!) — positive reinforcement (excellent, we will continue to do this!). I stuck my nose in a hornet’s nest — oh-oh (I won’t go for any more gingerbread!) — negative reinforcement.
Similarly, the behavior of the dog in everyday life is reinforced. Here is an example. At the moment, our young Caucasian Shepherd Dog Kari is vigilantly watching from her favorite hillock in the yard as cows are being driven into the field. With nothing to do, she diligently notifies the entire district about this outstanding event. When we get tired of listening to her outpourings, we go out into the courtyard. Kari is so excited that someone came out to chat with her that it’s useless to chastise her for her idleness — in any case, the situation is clearly pleasant for her! Two or three repetitions and Kari will learn to bark for no reason whenever she wants to communicate …
And here is an example of how you can organize a serious illness for a dog with your own efforts. Our elderly Newfoundlander, Chalzee, lived with our relative for some time. A fairly healthy dog, despite the most sophisticated and well-organized care, began to get seriously ill — it got to the point that she stopped getting up. Having moved to our own house, we took the dog to us, thereby isolating him from sympathy for his ailments. We did not make any difference between cheerful and cheerful (despite a decent age) German Shepherds and a «dying» invalid. Three days later, Chalzee got tired of lying and moaning, she began to slowly get up and resent why she was not given legal yogurt, quail eggs and validol, and two weeks later she hunted mice in the fields and forgot to think about her sores. The dog’s illness was, in fact, shaped by a touching display of concern for her well-being! And your dog and your children never get sick from the desire to receive more attention and sympathy? Do not think that by seeking attention from you with the help of illness, your animals and loved ones are feigning.
Reinforcement is a powerful weapon that primarily affects the subconscious and the physiological processes occurring in the body. Have you noticed how you do not want to go to the dentist, although you are absolutely convinced of the need for a visit? On the eve of any unpleasant event, you have a headache, just before the exam, your stomach gets upset … All this is a consequence of the negative reinforcement received during the previous unpleasant event for you. Your body has learned to be afraid!
Think about it: what do you really want — for your dog to be really healthy, or are you ready to fight heroically with continuous sores, thereby proving your devotion and care?
To reduce your dog’s chances of getting sick, don’t make him into a hypochondriac by overprotecting him when he’s sick. Perform all the necessary actions to care for her mechanically, if possible, do not give her any indulgences, continue training (reducing the intensity of training, but so that the dog does not realize this) and under no circumstances cancel the previous prohibitions! A sick dog allowed on the sofa is more likely to remain sick forever, so as not to lose this privilege.
Regardless of our desire and imperceptibly for us, continuously throughout life we are participants in the learning process of other creatures, and, in particular, our dogs. We urge you to be conscious of this process and take full responsibility for the behavior of our wards. Teach yourself to constantly evaluate how your action reinforces the behavior of the dog.