DOG LIFE
My dog is a spaz
BY HARRY KALAJIAN
Why is my dog a spaz?
Was he born that way? Did I as an owner cause that?
A dog is not a domesticated animal; we as the owner domesticate them. If not taught or guided and were left on their own; they will poop, pee, chew and destroy your home. They don’t know better it’s their nature. Owners need to teach and guide their dogs to behave, and not to allow them to act like wild animals. That is why the importance of obedience training is needed.
Owners tend to be amused with their crazy antics and find it cute, so they allow it. What you show or allow your dog from day one is what’s going to be projected later. If you want a spaz of a dog that’s hyper then excite them every time. If you wish a calmer less spazy dog, then do the reverse. A few months later the cute behavior becomes too much, and annoying. At that point the owner tries to calm the dog down but that doesn’t work, so they decide to burn their energy off by taking them to the dog park. Big mistake, why? All that is doing is increasing the craziness for play and not addressing the issue. Why do you think after a few times you go to the dog park, your dog is whining, jumping and spazzing out all over the place as you are headed to the dog park.
After a while when you just want to go for a walk; your dog will start pulling every time for any number of reasons, especially when it sees another dog.
In their mind its play play play… So you allow your dog to go say hello, well how do you know how the other dog is going to react? What if the other dog doesn’t like your dogs jumping behavior on them and decides to bite, then what. Now your dog will have 2 mental thoughts for the next encounter either to be aggressive or be very submissive.
Any true professional will tell you dog parks are not good, in reality it’s where people go to mingle and it’s not so much for the dog. Yes the dog runs around, but most people aren’t even paying attention to their dogs.
From day one socialize your dog with others and people. If you mentally challenge your dog through play or training it will have a positive outcome to their spazziness. Constructive mental stimulation is better for your dog than a trip to the dog park. Take them for a walk, spend time with them, and let them have an opportunity to sniff around aka (leisure walk).
(Remember you bought the dog to keep you company and for you to spend time with them.) When they get home they will be content and less spazzy. Take your dog to a training school you both will benefit. You will be happy to go for walks without your dog dragging you out the door. Those dogs you see well behaved, happy and content, are always spending time with the owner either in play, training or walks…
Same as the Police or military dogs they spent countless hours with their handlers by way of mental stimulation in working, playing, training and more… Many go home with their handlers and those dogs enjoy their time in the home. Ask yourself this; those working dogs that you see well behaved, happy and content do you see them in dog parks “No”.
What you instill and allow from day one, will be projected later on.
Spend quality time with your pet, train them, play with them, socialize them with people and other dogs and always try to take them to different environments.
Just like kids; when you take them to the playground they become hyper and unfocused, and will always be anxious for the next time. Now take your kids to different places, subject them to see, learn and experience different things and they will be; more calm and focused as well as mentally stimulated.
Also don’t allow your dog to pull you they are showing disrespect, just like if 2 people are walking together but one is always way ahead. Harmony is when you both are walking side by side.
Training isn’t hard as long as you are willing to put the time and follow my formula to have success; Patience, Persistence, Consistency & Repetition.
If you still fail, it’s on you not your dog. You didn’t stick to the formula.
Have a woof woof of a month.
Harry Kalajian
M.D.T. With over 35 years experience
All Aspect of training, Behaviorist, Ethologist & Psychologist
Executive Dog Training Inc.
941-447-8234
www.executivedogtraining.com
