Living with a dog that is commonly referred to as a demanding dog fits in above all with working breeds that need more involvement in everyday life. This is a popular term also among behaviourists and is not a bad thing, i.e. one whose behaviour in everyday life is disruptive (hyperactivity, destroying objects, excessive barking) or even unacceptable (aggression) is not easy. The environment does not make it easy for us – noises, rush, crowds, tall buildings our emotions when walking do not help the situation. Walks, instead of giving us joy, are stressful. Let’s think about how to deal with such a pet, and what to pay attention to.
Let the dog go!
There is no denying that our emotions like stress, anger, and joy have an impact on our dog. If we are stressed during a walk, our four-legged dog will be more sensitive and its reactions will be intensified.
To help our dog, it is essential to find inner peace ourselves. Yes, we can take three deep breaths before a walk, but this may not be enough. The most important thing is for us to accept that our dog is demanding. Accepting this will help us to stabilise our emotions. And seeing the positive qualities in our pet will make the process of working through problems easier!
Our stress and negative attitudes towards our dog, comparing him to others, will make it more difficult for us to go through therapy, so the first step: let go of your dog and…
Rest!
Our well-being and energy are really very important. And living with a dog, not just one with special needs, can be very absorbing. Taking care of ourselves has a huge impact on our well-being, and in order to help the dog, we ourselves need to be rested and exude inner peace.
Taking care of the space and the advice and comments of third parties
A very important rule of thumb is to keep a good distance and take care of the space. Overstimulating a dog can have the opposite effect. However, it is common for carers of anxious dogs to hear advice to familiarise themselves with every dog they meet or to throw them into difficult situations so that they get used to it.
Wanting to avoid an outburst of aggression, carers try to run away with their dog, but are unable to do so because other dog owners follow them constantly. It is also common for passers-by to stop for the stressed, barking pooch to calm down and hold out their hands to him or say something.
Situations like this are the perfect lesson for practising our assertiveness and clearly setting boundaries with strangers. Looking after our pet’s comfort is an important skill, but unfortunately very difficult in these situations. This comes from the fact that it is hard to make a rational decision under stress.
Yellow ribbon
A yellow ribbon or yellow elements on the leash or collar are elements that should give passers-by pause for thought. It is a clear message that a dog with such markings needs space. It is not a decoration. Unfortunately, a large part of the public is unaware of this or ignores such signs and pushes against dog guardians. This is a situation that often affects our emotions, the restriction of space, which unfortunately has a very big impact even stopping progress in behavioural work.
Therefore, if we see a dog with a yellow ribbon or any other yellow item on the horizon or a handler trying to leave, let’s make it easy for them and get out of the way.
Advice from the internet or a behaviourist
When seeking help, we must be clear that every dog, case and situation is different. By suggesting advice from the Internet, we may or may not be able to help our pet. It may happen that we make the situation worse.
Therefore, it is very important to think about whether it is worthwhile to consult the subject with a specialist in person or online, preparing recordings in advance. The behaviourist can select working techniques for the specific situation, which is important.
Summary
Guardians of problem pets do not have an easy life. They are rarely understood and their dogs are judged as unmannerly and aggressive.
All of this makes them reluctant to walk, which ultimately makes the problem worse. Wanting to help a person with a problem dog takes very little – step aside, let them go. These small gestures are huge steps in a dog’s therapy and can make a difference in their life.
