The thing with expectations

Some dog owners' expectations of their dogs are extremely high. The 12-week-old puppy is supposed to sit quietly for several minutes at a time in the puppy group - despite huge distractions from other people and dogs. At the same time, he has not even been taught to sit or consolidated in various situations.

Correct! A dog is not born programmed and knows what we want from him and fits into our society without any problems.

Another example: The 18 months old puberty animal does not come back when called, looks every girl under the skirt and seems to have forgotten all signals again. In addition, it gets into fights more often. Hormones go crazy during this time and the dog's head is in chaos. A quite normal process. Under certain circumstances very tedious and nerve-racking, but normal. And what does the human being do? He is annoyed, massages and tries with always new methods to bring the dog into the right track.

The training approach of dog school A does not work, although you had tried it for a whole week 😉 Well then just go to the next trainer. Here you are told something completely different. Doesn't work either, so on to the next one. And don't forget, you can get a lot of tips for free on social media and the web 😉 .

Why is that? Why do we demand so much from our dogs in such a short time?

Although they are still in the child or adolescent age. I hardly believe that parents deal with their children in such a way (exceptions confirm the rule here, too, unfortunately). I, at least, was allowed to go to elementary school after kindergarten and didn't have to graduate directly from high school. I was allowed to develop, to try things out. Of course, within given limits, which I tried to test again and again. My parents, however, stood by my side with patience and loving consistency and accompanied me through this time. And they really needed enough patience. Why don't we do the same with our dogs? Why don't we support our dogs?

Often the everyday life of our dogs looks different. There are senseless commands shouted around, tugging on the leash, much too difficult tasks set, etc.. Frustration builds up on both sides.

Quite often the result is a misbehavior of our dogs (jumping at the owner, barking, restlessness, overexcitedness, etc.) and this in turn leads to even more frustration and thus mass regulation on the part of the owner. A vicious circle.

Especially young dogs, which are at the beginning of the learning curve, are not fully receptive and resilient. This is also true for adult dogs. They all struggle with various environmental stimuli, are expected to concentrate on the owner for long periods of time despite enormous distractions, and master the most difficult tasks directly. Mistakes are then acknowledged on the part of the human annoyed with eye rolling... At the same time, for example, a sit in the presence of other dogs is a huge number for a puppy, to stay with the example from above. This should be taken into account during training! And did a constant no or ban stop you from sneaking a smoke or trying alcohol with your friends?! Let's be honest - no.

Then why are we so bossy with our dogs? Are we embarrassed if the dog does not obey perfectly, if he barks at the leash or after 5 lessons of dog school he still does not know the 1*1 of the dog ABC?! Because we do not belong then to the norm? Because we do not want to attract negative attention? I do not know! But a little more serenity and less high demands would help everyone to a much better quality of life.

Life goes on, even if the dog does not yet "work" as you imagine. Relationship and maturity need time. Children must be allowed to grow up and discover. They have to be allowed to try things out and make mistakes.

Take a good look at your dog and get to know him with all his strengths and weaknesses. How does your dog learn? What type is he? Set the tasks so that he can do it and slowly increase the difficulty. THAT is the exciting part of your journey together.

Let him try within the limits you have defined and be a support. Let it go for a while instead of just wanting and demanding. Less is more, without losing sight of the goal. Have fun together.

This creates more satisfaction for you and your dog. Then learning will be much easier.

Your Anja with Sammy

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