Learning from Dogs
Over thousands of years, dogs have adapted to us. It’s time we adapted for them. As a dedicated dog owner, I’ve spent years immersing myself in the world of canine knowledge. I’ve buried my nose in books about dog anatomy during vacations, attended countless seminars, completed years-long certification courses, shadowed various trainers, and taken my dogs to consultations and classes. All of this in a quest to learn how best to care for my dogs and others. Along this journey, I’ve come to realize: when our heads are buried in books, lectures, and human interpretations, we often miss out on the most informative resource of all – the dogs themselves.
The Power of Observation
The next time you’re out with your dog or see a dog in your neighborhood, take a moment to truly observe. Ask yourself:
– Is that dog walking, trotting, cantering, or galloping?
– Does the dog look stressed or relaxed?
– Is the dog calm?This simple act of observation can teach us more about dogs than hours of reading or lectures.
It’s about tuning into their natural behaviors and body language, understanding their needs and states of mind directly from the source.
Walking with Dogs
One of the most common misconceptions I see is how people walk their dogs. Many dogs I observe are trotting, not walking. This highlights a crucial lesson: we need to learn how to walk for a dog as a dog would walk. Dogs walk differently than most people. They walk, then stop, walk, then stop. This natural rhythm often drives people nuts. Many people want to walk without stopping, treating the walk as a chore or with an end goal in mind – multitasking: get to the mailbox, send a letter, and tick “walk the dog” off the to-do list. This approach often leads to one of the most unkind behaviors many people unknowingly engage in: pulling their dog. Next time you’re out walking your dog, count how many times you pull on your dog, to get your dog to go. It happens when people walk to the end of the leash and keep going. It happens when people stop, before pulling, pause for a few moments and then start walking before their dog is done, pulling their dog to walk. Observe others, and you’ll often see this human behavior.
Slow Down, Stop and Wait, to be Respectful of Dogs
Take a breath. Let the dog have some time to do the same. What’s the hurry? Is the goal to mail a letter or to walk with our dog? If it’s to mail a letter, you might not make it to the mailbox with your dog – and that’s okay. Instead of pulling your dog along, consider going back out without your dog to complete your errand. The key is to remove pulling from our menu of options entirely.
The Lessons We Learn
By truly observing and adapting to our dogs, we learn invaluable lessons:
1. Patience: Dogs teach us to slow down and appreciate the journey, not just the destination.
2. Mindfulness: By tuning into our dogs’ behaviors, we become more present and aware of our surroundings.
3. Respect: Understanding and accommodating our dogs’ natural behaviors shows true respect for their needs and nature.
4. Communication: We learn to read non-verbal cues and respond appropriately, enhancing our overall communication skills.
5. Flexibility: Dogs teach us to adapt our plans and expectations, leading to less stress and more enjoyment in our daily lives.
While books, seminars, and expert advice have their place, the greatest teacher is the dog. By learning to truly observe, understand, and adapt to our dogs, we become more patient, mindful, and empathetic individuals. The next time you’re out, with or without your dog: observe and learn from dogs. Just look and see for yourself what goes on. Really look, and ask yourself how you would feel if you were that dog. How does that dog feel? You can see it, if you look.
About the Author:
Lennox Armstrong is an International Dog Trainer School (IDTS) certified Dog Trainer, Calming Signals and Dog Behavior Specialist through the Nordic Education Centre for Ethical Dog Training. His primary professional focus is educating himself and others about how to take care of canines.