ESL--DSL

You may be asking what I am talking about???

English as a second language(ESL) for your dog and Dog as a second language(DSL) for the owner.  Dogs are not born to understand what us humans want. They must learn and observe our behavior. Dogs are instinctual and read body language. Dogs that were not well socialized with humans at a very young age are very instinctual and have a hard time understanding human behavior.

On the other hand humans are born with the same capabilities, but we learn to ignore body language and lose our instinctual way of being. Humans are the only creature that follows unstable energy. We can learn from our dogs if we channel our instinctual self. 

For example: When your dog hears fireworks and starts to panic most humans want to coddle and sooth their dog to easy his troubles.... the only problem with it is that by doing so it is confusing for your dog. By giving affection and trying to sooth your dog through that stress we are reinforcing the dogs unstable behavior. To show your dog there is nothing wrong we can't react like there is anything wrong. (Why may be a question you ask?) There is nothing wrong with fireworks and yes we know they are loud so why give affection to a dog displaying a behavior that is unwanted. Redirecting and shaping the appropriate behavior can help you achieve your behavior goals with your dog.

There are hundreds of examples that conflict between ESL and DSL and if you need help understanding why your dog does something or why they react in certain ways, I can help you with that. Also we have to look into ourselves. What am I doing to affect my animal? We are all guilty of being human. :)  Be instinctual, with training we are building a bond, creating balance between our differences and remember it is all about structure and discipline. Not about punishment. Humans  use punishment with their dogs more then I ever want to see. Dogs need discipline. Dogs and even children thrive with rules, boundaries, and limitations.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Happy Training,
-Hera Minkove.