Principles for establishing a respectful and compliant relationship between humans and canines
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Article and Photos by Scott Amon
here are many systems of establishing varying levels of communication between humans and our canine companions and working partners. However, after many years of observing dogs in their natural pack environment, I firmly believe that the principles that THEY utilise to communicate with each other are what they understand with most clarity. After all, these ARE the basis of the instincts and communication system they are born with. The many and varied systems created by humans, based on human values appear to have many flaws and shortfalls.
So why do we so commonly fall horrifically short with our canine companions.
Human to canine communication
If we were to be true to ourselves and our dogs, we would make it a priority to understand more about their developmental and ongoing management requirements - many of which are mentally based, not simply revolve around more exercise or freedom like many people think. We are the only ones in this relationship that have the intelligence capacity to truly understand more about their true requirements, however we continue to be ignorant to the fact. There are some basic principles and practices that we can adopt that will ensure our dogs understand us more and inevitably lead to a far better relationship between us - and most importantly, give our canines a far better life.
Sadly, many humans do not understand how dogs interact and communicate in a natural inherited way. So, it becomes most common for humans to associate a dog’s natural behaviour with human values and interpretations. As a result, humans respond to dogs in a manner that they simply cannot understand. They are not designed to process these human values and cues, which leads to an unnatural and confusing upbringing for pups and young dogs. This is where the communication process between humans and dogs often ends in a great many problems for both handler and dog. It also does not set a dog up well for dog to dog social skills and communication. It’s a lose, lose situation for our dogs. Surely it would make sense for humans (with ultimate intelligence) to make an effort to understand how dogs communicate and operate. This concept has been proven to work with other animals. As an example, you will find that the best horse handlers have an intimate understanding of how horses communicate and operate. So too for good livestock handlers.
I would think it is because they are one of our most common pets/companions and due to this, they fall into many hands that have simply no understanding of their requirements as dogs. We mess their minds with human values. It is a form of killing them with kindness… Righting the wrongs of dog ownership
The basis of these principles is leadership. Dogs crave good leadership. It actually has a calming influence on them as they then understand that THEY don’t have to be the leader and therefore worry about all goings on. When we become good leaders to our dogs, they put trust in our leadership and feel settled and content, just as their instincts tell them to live with a good dog pack leader.
