Certified Dog Trainer Heike Diekhoff
Phone 0151-57367704 · info@hundeschule-grosse-freiheit.de
Certified Dog Trainer Heike Diekhoff
Phone 0151-57367704 · info@hundeschule-grosse-freiheit.de
Große Freiheit can be translated with Great Liberty.
But liberty of the individual involves the tolerance of others. Therefore we have to teach our dogs to behave adaptive to their environment. This includes not to chase after joggers or bikers and not to nick the ball from playing children.
Luckily a lot of dogs behave well and do not cause problems – and that without tremendous obedience training. But just as every human also every dog is unique. Some know perfectly well what they like to do and turn a deaf ear when summoned. They will come, but not until they have finally finished sniffing. Especially those dogs need clear rules and limitations.
The essential element for the dog owner is to learn to play the social part within the dog-owner-relationship, that makes decisions, has the right to give orders, to deny things but also to allow them. Dependent on the dogs personality this might result in a conflict, which should be accepted and used as possibility to learn and for further development.
It is illusory to assume, that conflicts can be solved just with praise and treats. A confident dog wouldn’t wait until the a submissive dog drops the bone voluntarily and reward that. It would make it physically and unmistakably clear to keep away from the bone.
It has nothing to do with violence to block the dogs way, to bump into it or to pinch the dogs coat as an interruption of unwanted behavior. It is appropriate to the species and fair to communicate physically with your dog. It enables the dog to learn quickly what is not allowed.
When the dog knows and respects the limitation, you can restore your dog more liberty. This will also affect you as you don’t have to keep an eye on the dog all the time.
The dog with no limitations however is condemned to a life time leash sentence. A 5 to 10 m leash might mean more freedom for the dog. But the dog owner does nothing for his own liberty, he only frees tree roots and twigs from the muddy leash.
