by Anne-Marie Mayes
For this week's Dog Talk column, let's talk about giving dogs choices.
I have two questions that I would like to pose:
Should dogs be encouraged to make their own choices?
And if so, what choices should they be offered?
I have raised my dogs like I've raised my children, given them guidelines to live by so they stay safe, to learn different skills and reward the good choices they make.
Over the years I have found that traditional training methods have the owners signalling their dog to do behaviours. If the dog misunderstands the signal or can't respond for some reason, they may receive a punishment.
Dogs trained this way are often too worried to do anything at all unless the owner gives them a signal. Modern training methods take the dog's mental well-being into consideration by allowing them appropriate choices instead.
One such method is called "shaping."
Shaping is rewarding your dog for the small steps towards the final behaviour, allowing the dog to offer behaviours and being rewarded for the ones we like.
This method may take more thought, but when you have your dog go through the process, they remember the outcome more efficiently and will feel good about offering it in the future.
For example, I teach "go to mat" through shaping and my dogs happily offer it in different situations.
Once I have trained a few behaviours I enjoy standing in front of my dog without asking for them to do anything. The fun part is to see what they have to offer.
Sometimes it is a spin or a down or multiple tricks in a row. I can also bring an object such as a cardboard box and they will offer different things like putting their paws on, circling around it, or even getting inside the box.I believe that when dogs are allowed to make choices that it is a form of mental stimulation.
Instead of my dog becoming bored, having lack of confidence or developing anxiety, they will be thinking about how to draw my attention or a snack through making good choices.
I have just described some training choices, but what about the real world.
When I offer them choices, I always make sure it is safe and appropriate.
For example, where do they want to go to the washroom? Which direction do they want to go for a walk? Where do they want to nap? Who do they want attention from or to pet them?
We can help them make safe choices by setting them and the environment up for success. This does not mean I will let my dogs lead me to an unsafe place on a walk, or let them eat something dangerous. Just like with children, the key is to give them the right options.
Too many people assume that their dog is alright with our choices for them.
When people ask me about how to navigate different situations, I ask if they have asked their dog.
They seem to think that I am joking.
Dogs can be quite expressive of how they are feeling about situations or people based on their body language. Are the ears loose, down or pulled back? Is their body relaxed or rigid? Is their mouth tight shut or loose panting?
Are their eyes soft or staring or dilated? Is their tail wagging high or low or is it tucked underneath?
I recommend that if you own a dog or are thinking about obtaining one that you educate yourself on how to observe dogs. There are many great websites and books to learn from, check out the resources page on my website for more information.Take a step back, and once in a while let the dog decide, it can be one of the best adventures that you have.
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