In order to train our dogs humanely and efficiently we must learn their needs and natural behaviors. Then we need to learn how we relate with our dogs, as studied in the “Human-Canine Companion Bond.” To achieve this ‘balance” or harmony of communication” we need an understanding of what motivates (drives) an animal’s behavior, and an understanding of clear teaching skills to “Shape” the behavior or actions.

We need to develop our ability to read a dog, know what is motivating the animal to respond, and have the capability to show clearly what we require from our pet (teaching skills) aka Handler Skills. There you have it! The three steps or skills needed to our dogs becoming happy, safe, and responsive pets. Reading the dog’s body language will tell us what the dog is thinking and feeling. Knowing what the dog responds to will allow us to anticipate his next move and be prepared. Showing the dog clearly what we require will take but a moment, but it will take weeks if not months of hard, intelligent practice for us to become so proficient and understood.

The number one cause of problem behavior is stress. The number one cause of stress is change. Change is spelled “New!” 

“Dysfunction” is simply an animal’s ability to deal with its stress, so it cannot relax and correctly perceive and respond to situations. The response that the animal exhibits will range from passive/submissive, avoiding the situation, to hyper-active (anxiety energy-producing over activity) to sharp explosive release, aka, aggressive.

Factors that affect expression are the same that make up basic behavior traits. Nature (predetermined genetics dispositions i.e., species, breed traits and individual characteristics) plus nurture (what its growing experience have not taught).

The amount of aggression, or degree of assertiveness that a dog has can cause difficulty in handling of our pet. One way will be referred to as positive distraction, the second way as negative distraction. A distraction is anything that solicits a response from our pet. A positive distraction the animal is working forward to see and interact, and a negative distraction is working to avoid (a “sharp” dog will attack (offense) its negative distraction (perceived as a threat).

A dog who is high in drive and wishes to lead or control the situation is aggressive without be vicious. This dog would exhibit its assertiveness by totally committing itself to games such as fetch, tag, or tug-of-war. And stopping on your command would be totally out of the question. He would be more likely to chew through the couch when his ball rolls underneath it then stop when you say so. Although this type of dog could be the biggest pain you ever had he is a well balanced pet, probably more dominant (bossy) and active than you wished for.

A hyper-active dog is not a dog who is too active for your preference, but a dog whose increase in activity is stress produced. This excessive activity starts when the animal receives stimuli that it perceives as stressful.

The dog (loads up) energy because of the stress negative distraction then “unloads” the energy as excitable behavior as it relaxes. This pet would be very difficult to control during these periods of “over-drive.”

Our most difficult dog to handle is the shy/sharp or defensive-aggressive dog. A sharp dog will react aggressively (hostile) at the slightest provocation.

I believe that the shy/sharp dogs are commonly mis-read, critically misunderstood, and definitely mis-managed as afar as controlling its hostile expressions.

Viciousness (sharpness) is not the result of an animal’s aggression, it is the learned response of an animal who has genetic nervousness or insecure (sensitivity) as well as assertive in its expression (vicious=nervous+ aggression). This animal learns with maturity and experience what we have always been told:” The best defense is a strong defense.” What happens to generate a “sharp” expression from an animal has several variables to consider.

As the leading species on earth, we feel we must know something about the raising, training, and development of our canine friends. We often take to heart when our “loved ones” disobey or act unruly. When they’re destructive, we feel they’re getting back at us for something. But why should our intelligence and common sense help us when dealing with canines, a species with different needs, drives and natural laws.

That’s why dog-and-owner team instruction is encouraged at Mutt Masters K9 Academy. Successful training depends on the quality of communication between owner and pet. No dog is too young or old to train, nor is any behavior problem too ingrained to be controlled.

Since 1974, over 40,000 dog and owner teams have graduated from the academy, leaving prepared for a more happy, healthy and controllable relationship together. Each of our training programs is customized to meet the needs of the owner and their dog whether the goal is better control of the family pet, or for a highly trained family protector.