Introducing Yorkshire dog trainer, Rebecca Doveston of Dovemoor – my first guest blogger! She has some unmissable tips on our human interaction with dogs and how we can all enjoy dog walks in the Yorkshire countryside without any fuss!
“Raising a well-mannered dog has become so complicated and it is the human end of the lead making it this way.
It has now become a frustrating experience for many taking their dogs out on a walk. The rise in puppy parties and this need for our dogs to be ‘social’ is causing issues for both ends of the lead. Disrespecting the dog for the awesome species it is by humanising them is common occurrence.
In trying to create harmonious living with such a wonderful species, we are in fact making it much less harmonious to be a dog owner in day-to-day life.
There is lots of confusion around what we should and shouldn’t be doing with our pet dogs.
I aim to end the confusion here.
Our dogs are social creatures, but that doesn’t mean they need friends or to meet lots of dogs. You can be their social life. Domestication happened because of the partnership between humans and dogs. For dogs to work alongside their master. We developed breeds for our own purpose, companionship, and warmth, guarding, herding, and working. The best thing humans can do is honour the dog for being a dog and spend time with them training to live in our crazy world.
Being socialised is adopting social norms. It is knowing how to have self-control, be aware of your surroundings and behave appropriately for that situation. As humans we learn to do this through our lives in social situations as we develop. It is a lifelong skill. Dogs require us to teach them what is acceptable and isn’t acceptable in those situations. We do that through training.
If your dog isn’t trained yet, keep on a lead, don’t allow it to be a nuisance for others, some dogs do not like other dogs in their face. It is as simple as that. Some owners do not like your dog in their face either. You are responsible for your dog. By law, common sense, and courtesy. If your dog is off lead and you see another dog and owner, just recall your dog, and put their lead on until necessary. It is kind, polite and ensures everyone can enjoy their walk.
If your dog struggles and becomes frustrated around other dogs on lead and off, because they “just want to play.” Then teach them what you do want by taking them to places with dogs and training them there. Just make it easy at first, keep them on a lead and then increase the difficulty slowly. Take your time and have fun. Make YOU the reward. Play games, chill out and give them belly rubs or a nice massage. Get them to do basic obedience exercises in a corner of the park with you. Teach them that the fun is you, not other dogs.
If you aren’t lucky enough to own a dog, or you do have your own but struggle to pass another by without interacting, I want you to think about this. Not all dogs like to be touched by strange people, not all owners want their dogs being touched by strangers. Again, it is a simple as that. Learn to say “no” to people. It can still be polite and doesn’t warrant an explanation from you. You are your dogs’ advocate. Be their voice. You can always use your body language to help stop people from interacting with them. Keep your dog close and behind you.
Holding your hand out to a dog is not a great introduction. Neither is going over its head for a stroke or bending down in their face. It’s not how dogs greet each other so we shouldn’t be doing it. Unfortunately, old habits are hard to knock on the head. If you are invited by an owner to interact with their dog, I want you to not interact with the dog. What I suggest is that you stand, side on to the dog. You leave your arms by your side and just allow the dog to come into your space and then leave again. Just ignore the dog. Simple.”
For expert Yorkshire dog training you can contact Rebecca via her website here or follow her on Instagram @Dovemoor.
Images in this post also feature Yorkshire gun dog training equipment business Field and Fireside.
And of course if you’d love some beautiful dog photography here in Yorkshire or beyond, just pop over to my contact form and we can start planning your photo shoot!