‘THE PHRASE ‘YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS’ IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE’
Top dog behaviourist Nigel Reed – praised by Derren Brown as ‘a real magician’ – answers your queries.
What do I need to do to be a good owner from my dog's point of view?
To be a good owner/guardian to your dog it’s vital you’re aware of your dog’s needs in each moment and are able to communicate your leadership position with a swift response. For example, one minute your dog can be playing nicely with another dog and the next minute she may feel threatened. If you, as her needs provider, act accordingly in each moment, i.e. when she feels unsafe, unconfident, when she is cold/hot, anxious or questions your authority, she will trust you as her leader.
How do I stop my dog chasing wildlife and livestock?
Have your dog on a long lead around wildlife so you have control of the situation. This will ensure you are able to teach him what he should be doing. If he pulls on the lead to chase the wildlife, stop, bring him back to your side, move back a few steps – wait for him to calm and then move on. Repeat this as many times as needed so your dog realises the consequence of his actions and learns to control his own behaviour. After many lessons his tunnel vision to wildlife will dissipate and he will be conscious of what you expect from him. While on long lead, practise recall by calling him to you. If he responds desirably, treat him. If he doesn’t listen, bring him back to show him what you are asking. He will eventually work out not to pull and to come back each time you call him. This will ensure he’ll become less interested in wildlife and responsive when you call him. Once you have taught him the recall response and he stops chasing wildlife you can take the lead off and allow him to run free again.
What’s the best way to keep my dog at a comfortable temperature on long, hot day walks?
Many people will tell you not to take your dog out on a sunny day. While this advice is applicable for some breeds, for example brachycephalic dogs and dogs with thick coats, I believe it is down to the individual dog’s ability to cool himself down with your help by ensuring they have access to plenty of water and are able to rest in the shade. I always encourage people to use their instincts – if your dog struggles in the heat then don’t go out. If he appears to be running around too much then put him on lead, take a long break in the shade or go home.
My dog thinks all other dogs should play with him. How can I teach him to be more circumspect?
This issue could have started off in the home between you and your dog’s interactions. My dog, like all dogs, has a need for play and attention but as his guardian I decide when the interactions start and when they stop. I cannot allow him to believe he dictates when playtime is as I have things to do. This, in our case, has also translated to him reading other dogs’ cues when out and not pestering them. Teach your dog that you decide when to interact inside the home by not giving him attention when he decides, but when you do. When walking ensure his recall is perfect by teaching him the response on a long lead around other dogs so you’re able to read their cues and act accordingly. Over time he will look to you to make
the decisions of who he can play with and learn to read other dogs’ language.
I’m anxious about how my dog will react to other dogs. How can I stop that being infectious?
Your behaviour can reinforce your dog’s for good or ill. Avoid close contact with other dogs for a while so you can get your confidence back. Then start walking past them from a distance and gauge your dog’s reaction. If he appears happy you can slowly close the gap over time. As you get closer communicate you are happy with what is going on by saying in a jolly tone “Look at that, dog isn’t she lovely?”. Your reaction will have a knock-on effect to your dog’s state and your own. This also works with people – recently my partner told me in a sad voice that the oven had finally broken. I said in a jolly tone “Great, it wasn’t cooking pizzas very well, time to get another one” which immediately changed her state.
Is it possible to train a dog to be well behaved if you’ve missed out training it in puppyhood?
Absolutely, you can train your dog to come back when called. Everyone has heard the phrase ‘ You cannot teach an old dog new tricks’. The statement is simply not true. The person who originally said it has played a part in influencing many failures with dogs and people all around the world. So often, clients ask me, ‘My dog is X years old; is it too late to correct their behaviour?’ To answer this question, I mention one client who had a 12-yearold dog, to whom they successfully managed to communicate their position, making a significant change in their behaviour. Dogs can get set in their ways, as can people, granted, but while a dog is healthy and responsive, they are always capable of learning something new. In fact I’ve found that some older dogs who have exhibited undesirable behaviour for some time can improve faster than younger ones!
How can I make encounters with other walkers less confrontational/stressful?
If your dog invades other dogs’- or people’s space, even if he is friendly, then this is bad manners. If he is big as well it will cause others to feel afraid, and that’s only natural. To address this, ensure you have control over your dog’s behaviour at all times – that he comes when called and he respects others’ space. Ensure the other walkers have plenty of room to get past you and your dog, and talk to them in a jolly tone. Just say “hello” or be stereotypically British and comment on the weather. This will instantly put them at ease.
Do I have to have my dog on the lead in the countryside by law? And what’s the best policy to adopt generally?
You do not have to have your dog on lead in the countryside by law but you do have to be in control at all times. So if your dog doesn’t come back when called, invades other dogs’ space, chases wildlife or shows any other undesirable behaviour it’s necessary to have control over them by having them on long lead so you’re in a position to teach your dog how to behave before letting them off.