Would You Like A Balanced Dog? - Family - Pets

A dog can only be a dog, whether dingo or family pet.

Did you see BBCs Pedigree Dogs Exposed, and Martin Clunes on ITV A Man and his Dogs? Clunes showed us wolves, and the Australian Dingo near to the original dog before man started meddling with things. Pedigree Dogs Exposed showed just how man has genetically modified dogs to suit himself. The result being some German Shepherds that can hardly walk, flat nosed dogs that cant breathe, large-headed dogs that cant give birth naturally, King Charles Spaniels that have brains agonisingly too large for their skulls, and much more.

In earlier times we bred dogs to live alongside us and do something useful - to herd, guard, protect, fight other dogs, track, kill rats, hunt, rescue and to retrieve.

Nowadays we want looks and temperament rather than usefulness. Many of us want dogs that look cute and behave like living cuddly toys, that are quiet on demand, play on demand, toilet on demand, eat on demand, come back on demand, go to bed on demand, cuddle on demand, are friendly on demand, walk nicely on demand and most are infinitely obliging. But these same dogs may have the inherited skills to do something useful.

Placing unrealistic demands on our dogs can create terrible stress. Stress comes from TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE. Too much attention, discipline, training, fussing, responsibility, touching, noise, excitement, time left alone, cuddling, play, change, confrontation, regulation, too many commands. Too much or too little exercise, food or stimulation.We can know if our dog is stressed if he or she exhibits excessive restlessness or attention seeking, overreaction to doorbell or noises, scratching, biting or licking himself constantly, chewing and destruction, barking, howling, whining, stomach and skin problems, shaking, tail chasing, panting, obsessing, behaving aggressively and much more (some of these things may also be an indicator of pain or a medical problem).

If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms to excess and your vet has checked him over, try releasing the pressure. Give him a break for a while. DO LESS. Be calm (dogs pick up on owner stress). Move slowly. Cut out commands, remove him to somewhere quiet if things are getting too much for him such as noise, boisterous children or visitors. Dont overdo exercise and exiting play, avoid forcing him into situations that stress him whether its the lawn mower or encountering other dogs. Before you order him to do something ask yourself is it really necessary?

We all know the psychological effect of pressure on children when parent expectations are too great. A dog can only be a dog, whether an Australian Dingo or a precious pet.

If you need help with understanding your dog have a look at the Association of Intuitive and Natural Training for Owners and Dogs for a dog trainer.