Human Psychology vs Dog Psychology

Had an interesting discussion the other day about how human psychology and dog psychology is similar (yet certainly different).

One way in which it is similar is how we reinforce behaviors. When a human or a dog does something we like, if we give them positive reinforcement, they learn by example that doing the behavior is a positive experience. On the reverse side, if we provide consequences for a negative behavior, both species learn that the behavior results in something unpleasant. This is not to say that the way we reinforce behaviors needs to be harsh nor painful. A "good girl" or "good boy" is a positive reinforcement for a dog (and similar expressions are often used with children... "Good job!" "You did great!", etc.). For the negative, a sternly said, "NO!" or other "negative" word works (perhaps better for dogs than for children according to many parents I have met).

If we look deeper into this idea, it isn't so much the words we say (at least not to the dog), but the manner in which we say it. Can you say "Good girl/boy" without smiling or having warmth in your voice? Can you say "no" with sweetness in your voice? Not likely to both. So although a human will understand the meaning of the words, the dog who doesn't can still get the same reinforcement, positive or negative. How? By the tone of our voices, the body language we present, and the overall energy we give off...often without even thinking about it.

So what can we take away from this discussion that will benefit our dogs? Simple... if your dog is doing something you like, be sure to reward it. A pat on the head or a "good boy/girl" or just the positive energy you give to your dog will be understood by him/her. If you catch your dog doing something you dislike, disagree with the behavior with a firm "No!" or "Hey!" or whatever word or sound you use to represent that you are not pleased. Don't yell or get angry. Just say it firmly and with authority. There is a difference between an authoritative voice and an angry voice. And the results of each are different.

Want to know more? Contact me at Cheryl@PetCarebyCheryl.com or visit my web site - PetCarebyCheryl.com.

Can My Dog Go on the Couch?

Clients often ask whether they should allow their dog to get on the couch or not. The answer is simple... do you want that behavior or not?

To many people, having their dog sit on the couch with them is a comforting experience they love and time shared with a faithful friend. To some, it means pet hair on a piece of furniture where guests will sit and time needed to constantly remove that pet hair. Then there are the people... quite a few of them... who sometimes want their dog on the couch but not always. There is no right nor wrong answer...as the leader of your pack, it is your call.

That said, when you bring a new dog or puppy into your home, you set the rules, limitations and boundaries. You teach your dog what you want and what you do not want. So you must decide what you want in regard to the couch.

If you don't want your dog on the couch, do not allow it. If you want your dog to have the freedom to go on the couch at will, that's fine as well. It is YOUR couch and you get to say who may sit on it and who may not. But what if you want it both ways... on or off when you say so. That is possible and attainable! (Were you thinking I'd say otherwise?)

Like so many other behaviors we teach our dogs, a dog can learn that sitting on the couch is a privilege earned. When you want him/her with you, call your dog and create a command to go with that action (think about how you teach your dog to sit on command or lie down on command...it's all really the same thing). When your dog goes on the couch without an invitation, simply teach your dog "off." It will take practice, patience and consistency. Everyone in the house must learn to use the same words and/or hand signals. If one person allows the dog on the couch at all times and another shoos the dog off, you get a confused dog. 

Need help teaching your dog your "couch" rules? Contact me at Cheryl@PetCarebyCheryl.com.