Dog Behavior struggles are just misplaced strengths.
What the heck does that mean, Samaya?
It means your dog is actually quite skilled at what they're doing, it's that us humans find it incompatible with how we want the dog to behave so we throw a label on it and say the dog is "bad", "reactive", "territorial", "stubborn", "crazy"...
The list goes on.
Example: a dog barking at a stranger, other dog, bird, food, sounds, or anything else they find novel or concerning or arousing is simply a dog who struggles with Disengagement.
Probably Pessimism too, and/or a lack of Tolerance of Frustration.
But if that dog were not cared for by a human, and they were living on the street, that Pessimism and Disengagement would be facilitafing their survival. Barking, growling, lunging is (often, not always) dog-speak for "hey, back off."
You know that saying, "the spider is more scared of you than you are of it."
Okay, that in itself is a controversial statement 😬
I digress.
Maybe we think about an intact male dog seeking out a female dog who is in season. The Disengagement struggle is all about perpetuating the species.
Despite dogs being emotional, sentient beings, they are still animals programmed to procreate and survive.
So what do we do?
We help them shift their perspective and reapply those skills in ways that are more appropriate to our lives and lifestyles.
Instead of a dog who struggles with Disengagement from the environment, how about we turn that into Engagement and Focus on us?
Instead of a dog that goes 0 to 100 with the survival tactic of making a kill so they have some dinner, how about we exercise their ability to work in the mid-range, embracing fluid flowing movement through games.
(Did you know there is a direct correlation between body movement and emotional state? Fun fact 'o day! I'm getting off topic again...)
By playing games and creating fun experiences with our dog we can quite literally reshape their brain.
"Accio neural pathways!"
We can take those misapplied skills, and turn the behavior struggles into strengths.
Think of it like walking down a path in the forest.
There’s the obvious path, the one that is always traveled. It’s wide, easy to navigate, packed earth and exposed roots.
The idea of traveling down any other path doesn’t even cross your mind because it’s just not what you’ve ever done before. It would require beating down brush, climbing over fallen trees, and the outcome it leads to is uncertain - will there be a cliff blocking your path, or will it result in a beautiful view?
Chances are, the idea of getting lost or reaching a dead end is punishing unto itself, so you keep traveling the path you’ve always used because its easy, its reliable and you know exactly what to expect at the other end.
Now let's imagine, suddenly one day, there is a gate in front of your usual pathway.
There’s no longer the option to go that way.
But as you glance to one side, you see a glimpse of a beautiful view, and with curiosity and hope that you may discover a hidden gem, you start to explore a break in the brush. And the further you get into that break, the more enticing that view begins to look.
With eagerness you forge onwards, relishing in the gorgeous view you’re about to enjoy.
This is what training new neural pathways is like for our dogs.
To reapply those misapplied skills, we need to limit the option of the outcome we’ve always gotten, i.e. our dog hyper focusing on the cat to chase or the mud to roll in, eating the random hotdog on the ground, and make the choice of engaging with us super obvious and rewarding.
There is a brilliant quote from James Clear, the author of a brilliant book, “Atomic Habits”, on the 4 Laws of Creating Good Habits
Make it Obvious
Make it Attractive
Make it Easy
Make it Satisfying
And this is exactly how games based training works.
We set up the situation in which for your dog to win, they have to make a choice. We start by making that choice obvious and communicating to them with a clear marker that they made the best one.
The fun and enthusiasm we add to the experience makes it attractive, “hey best friend, come have an awesome time with me!”
The game is set up in easy environments to start. The idea is for your dog to win. We want them to win! Because when they win, you win, and thus you are closer to living that dog owning dream of yours.
The last pivotal component - Rewards, rewards, rewards!
And I’m not talking about food rewards. Sure, we use them, but it's not even about the food! It could be toys, praise, affections, dashing away so they get to chase you! It's about fun and interaction. It’s about this great experience they get to engage in with you. The outcome they get from making this great choice is satisfying.
Which is ultimately filling your relationship bank account, which makes your communication and connection stronger, and leads you down the path of a fulfilling companionship.
Do you feel inspired to reapply your dogs skills with games?
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