Welcome
in our new section
about dog behaviour
Never forget the « NILIF » rule
NILIF ?
Nothing In Life Is Free.
Not a magical technique, nothing like a cookbook, but an every day life pattern,
that will spare you a lot of trouble, and misunderstandings. Keeping « NILIF »
in mind is getting closer to a better understanding of your communication by
your dog.
In practice, this simply imply to never reward a dog who has not done something
to deserve a reward ! (Reward should be understood as anything that pleases the
dog, game, walk, belly rubs, titbits…).
Your dog just cannot understand that you give him a treat, just because he is
such a cutie, or that you feel like draining your own stress by cuddling him.
He will try to link this up to one of his atavistic behaviours, and come to the
conclusion you are showing an alleviating or submissive behaviour. To simplify,
you are telling him “you are the dominant, and I’m sorry”. Obviously, your dog
has no idea of what on earth you are sorry for, but gradually, this will sap
your hierarchical position.
This will show by excessive attention demand: You cannot answer the phone, talk
with friends, read or watch TV without your dog claiming for you to take care of
him. Then more serious trouble may appear, related to a bad hierarchical
positioning, that can be pretty serious, especially after puberty.
Furthermore, if treats are for free, how will you express your satisfaction when
you need to, and thus how will you train your dog?
I can hear you objecting: I love my dog, he knows that, and above all, I don’t
want to be deprived of these moments.
There’s no question of you having none of these bliss’s times! But just avoid
mistranslation.
Just always remember to ask your dog do actually PERFORM something you ask (give
a paw, go and fetch…) before giving him a gratification.
Cuddle or titbit then take a different meaning “I, as the leader of the pack, am
pleased by what you’ve done”
By this attitude, you’ve reached three goals
- reassuring your dog on your pack leader ability
- having his attention, and tightening the bonding between you
- providing mental gymnastics, which he needs just as much as physical exercise.
Your dog is happy, more self-confident, and you can then share a tremendous
time!
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