One day, a big, friendly, rambunctious Great Dane puppy bounds up to Freddie on a walk and promptly jumps all over him and for some reason – maybe because it’s rainy, maybe because he has a bit of an upset tummy, or maybe because this is the FOURTH TIME this Great Dane puppy has jumped all over him in the past week – Freddie gives a growl, and lunges toward the puppy. When on walks, the leash restricts Freddie’s option to move away from another dog if he feels uncertain (unlike when he is at daycare or at the dog park, where he is free to move away from dogs he doesn’t want to interact with). In this example, your dog – let’s call him Freddie – is nervous of big dogs while on leash he doesn’t lunge or bark or growl, but you’ve noticed he gets a little stiff during greetings. Why does it happen? Here’s one common example of how learning history comes into play: Let’s consider a dog who develops the behavior of lunging and barking at other dogs while on leash walks. Learning History: Your dog is always learning specifically, she is learning which behaviors are valuable (worth repeating) and which are not. If you are struggling with this part, remember that your dog’s behavior is shaped by many things, including: While it’s true that you are the path forward, it’s important to leave any feelings of guilt behind. Step 1: Get in the Judgement-Free zone by saying this: “It’s not all about how they’re raised.” Then say it again “It’s not all about how they’re raised.” This is a myth that still persists throughout the dog community. ![]() The following steps can help you get started along the path to a happier, safer, less stressful life for you and your dog: If you answered yes to any of the above questions, read on.
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