So what is it all about and do we really need to know about it?

Does your dog really have to start wanting to wear sunglasses for you to consider consulting a canine psychologist?

Well, the fact is that these days we live in a somewhat dog-intolerant society and it is therefore of utmost importance that ours dogs conform to what society expects.

There may have been times when it was the norm to hear dogs barking constantly or for Aunt Susie's Yorkie to nip her grandson when he stole her toys, however this is just not acceptable today.

So how does dog psychology help today's Fido and his owner? Well quite simply if we know what makes a dog tick then we are one step closer to helping it to live in a way that is harmonious to both man and his best friend.

It's all about education, and by that I don't mean just going to an odd dog training class, it goes deeper than that. Prevention has always been better than a cure and with dog psychology this couldn't be truer. If we understand why it is important to do something one way then we are more likely to go ahead and try it. There is no shortage of help at hand these days whether you are taking on a new puppy or rescuing an older dog. Gone are the days of a certain Barbara W and the choke chain gang!

Today we train our dogs with kindness and understanding and the best part is that it really works. Of course you still only get out what you put in, however knowing your dog psychology is the biggest "shortcut" you hope for. If training is based on a sound behavioural knowledge (as it is at K9 Capers) then it can be truly effective.

The modern world is potentially a very stressful place for our canine counterparts, we expect all sorts of things from them that are truly foreign to their nature a prime example is how we expect a new puppy to sleep alone in the kitchen as soon as we get him home. The poor little mite has never been away from his mum or siblings before, never been denied company or comfort and then all of a sudden he is all alone in a strange place no wonder he cries! Of course we need to start as we mean to go on and if he is going to be spending his nights alone in the kitchen then he has to get used to it but there are many things we can do to help ease things for pup for example a comfort blanket that smells of you, a heated safety snuggle pad, a radio left on, and of course an understanding of dog psychology. If we understand why he cries so much we can tolerate it better, if we understand that going back to comfort him when he cries will actually make things worse then we can help by not going back. This is just one small example of how knowledge of dog psychology can help you live in harmony with your dog, there are hundreds more.

No one is suggesting that the everyday dog owner becomes an expert in dog psychology however a little understanding goes a long way and if more people ask for help before a problem becomes a problem then perhaps our rescue centres wouldn't be over-flowing with unwanted pets.

Where to get help?
Here at K9 Capers of course! Obviously we cannot cover all areas of the country but by email we can offer help and advice and point you in the right direction.

If you are thinking of taking on a new puppy then I cannot emphasize enough the need for good puppy socialization classes. These classes are held at many Veterinary clinics and if your clinic isn't doing them then ask why! A really good start is invaluable not just for the puppy but also for the owner.

I have an older dog what shall I do? The answer is go to classes, they are out there you just have to find them, if you don't fancy the everyday obedience class then why not try agility or flyball instead.

Finally the most important thing you can do for your dog or puppy is learn a little about the psychology of your "best friend". There is no end of reading material on the subject. Your dog trainer should be a wealth of information too although you may need to invest in an occasional private session to get his/her full attention. (Do try to choose a trainer that is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers). However the most important thing I can say to all of you reading this is that if you are not 100% happy with how your dog behaves or interacts with you then don't sit on it go and ask for some help, just about all dog problems can be solved its just knowing how to do it!

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