March 2008 Archives

When a dog is transported to a new home which lacks a strong pack leader, it can lead to fear and insecurity. Jerry the German Shepherd had been adopted by an order of monks who once he arrived, were expecting him to project guarding behavior and were confused when he did not. Jerry’s insecurity by the lack of direction in his new home resulted in him running away from the monastery. By running away, Jerry may have been trying to find a place where he could return to a normal state-of-mind.

After Jerry was found and returned to the monks, the dog sensed that they still didn’t know what to do with him, which made him even more insecure and his resulting behavior was misinterpreted as aggression. But Jerry’s instincts were telling him, “Okay, nobody’s going to protect me, I have to protect myself.”

Remember, if you become fearful in front of an insecure dog, you are displaying a weaker energy than him. That gives him leverage over you. What you need to do instead is get back to the basics. Focus on the walk and projecting calm-assertive energy. This is the most important part of establishing yourself as a pack leader with a new dog.

A whining dog can be seen in three different ways. The first two reasons are normal reactions; he may sense something unusual that needs your attention, like carbon monoxide or smoke, or he’s hurt, in which case, you would want to seek immediate medical attention from your vet.

But psychological whining is usually caused by anxiety and reinforced by owners. Because often when a dog whines, he receives attention. So, he has learned to manipulate that human reaction.

To correct this problem, you can either ignore the behavior or redirect the whining. Remember what I always say: Exercise, discipline, affection, in that order. And a tired dog is a less anxious dog. So grab the leash and give him a good, brisk, walk. You’ll soon see the difference in his state of mind.

Some dogs are more naturally outgoing than others, but if your dog is so shy that it interferes with his or her normal activities, then it’s a problem. Shy dogs lack self-esteem and can jeopardize the stability and wellness of the group. Insecurity, tension, and anxiety have no place in a pack and the pack leader needs to address the issue right away.

The best way to deal with a shy dog is to gradually and safely expose the dog to the source of his insecurity. This ultimately will build confidence in the dog and allow him to remain a calm, functioning member of the pack.

How do you know if you are the wrong person for your dog?

Too many times in my work, I come across a case in which despite best intentions, the match between the dog and its human just doesn’t fit. This is why I always suggest that people look at the energy level of the dog before choosing a breed. Never adopt a dog whose energy level is higher than yours.

Researching the breed and understanding the responsibility involved in owning a dog is most important. I have never seen a dog-human relationship go well when it’s an “impulse buy.”

Remember, a dog realizes how much knowledge you have from day one and if you’re not up for the job, your new pet will know. You’ll soon create a fight, flight, or avoidance instinct in your dog and he won't follow a leader with unstable energy.

Come, sit, stay! Cesar and the pack are back! Tune in for an all-new episode of Dog Whisperer this Friday, March 14 at 8P et/pt on National Geographic Channel.