The day, or rather the afternoon, has been full of entertainment for me. I, Boyo and Lilo met Lilo's mother outside Ica, because I needed to go in and pick up a package. After all, we've tried this thing that Boyo stands and waits with Lilo and her human – not to mention goes along with them, and it was an adventure. However, a little more for humans than Boyo. 😀
When I go with Boyo and Lilo I make demands. For example, there should be no fooling around or otherwise rushing around and be polite. That's what you get (perhaps!) do indoors. Nor should one weave the leash together or entangle me by walking back and forth around me. You stay calm and composed and walk neatly and neatly.
It kind of exists nothing to discuss there. I'm not ok with dogs barking and barking around me – I have tried it, and i don't like it.
I actually have not a good excuse because I find it hard not to laugh when Lilo's mother takes the leashes of both dogs. Today she got to walk the dogs while I led her bike, and I laughed out loud as she tried to keep track of herself and two dogs, one of which (Boyo) fought hard to get to me. It really was a struggle, and it took a while before things got better.
This is truly the world's best example of how differently one or more dogs respond to different people's energy. I am a very calm and composed person (despite my bipolarity), and when it comes to dogs, I've learned to be very matter-of-fact, straight and clear. You have to be, otherwise it will just be difficult – both for the dogs and yourself.
But by someone For this reason, Lilo's mother has a hard time handling both at the same time. To me it feels very strange, because I have no problem with them (except that Boyo is a puppy and thus a bit naughty from time to time). But I have known her long enough to be able to form some kind of picture of what is missing.
We stood one long time and talked about it when we got to my house. I really like that she is aware that she is the root of the situation, and that she wants to grab it so she can walk with both dogs. She really is the best in the world who wants to be able to help me if I need it, and in that case she needs to be able to handle both dogs together. Especially considering that she already thinks that both dogs together are very strong. Boyo is only four months old, roughly, and will be both larger and heavier. So she needs to learn to get control over them already now.
Most of it me writing now, I have spoken to Lilo's mother about. Most of what this is all about is incredibly abstract, because it's about how the person holding the leash feels, how to function, how to think about and relate to the dogs, and so on. Therefore, it is not entirely easy to address, but I thought I'd boil down a few points that I think are important.
A dog is as a barometer for us humans. The dog reacts to the smallest nuance in how we feel in the moment. Are we stressed, nervous, worried, when tired, the dog likes to be a little extra rough and unruly. As society looks like, the dog depends on us to function. It needs us to lean on, and as soon as we are the slightest bit unstable, we shake the dog's safety.
Because a dog to function, it needs the person to be calm, stable, balanced and safe. If you don't do it naturally, you simply have to practice it – it's that simple. Then of course you have good and bad days – but on the whole you need to be all that. If you have all that, the rest becomes so much easier, regardless of whether it concerns everyday obedience, elite obedience, trace/search, protection or anything else.
You need also have a target image and an expectation. It's almost like I often even before I go out I start thinking about where we're going to go somewhere. If I don't, there's a risk that I'll get sick when we're out, and it won't be good either. Being the one to show which direction is super important. Then we have a goal – at least one like that. Expectation is about the ability to make demands.
Clarity is too extremely important. Clarity is something I think is best achieved with body language, actually. Words in all glory, but try to be quiet and show with your body what you want your dog to do, and you have the beginning of significantly better communication. And when I say clear, I mean so clear that a mountain understands.
There is so incredibly many parts in this. One thing that may be worth thinking about is how much space you give your dog. Lilo's mother usually welcomes Lilo with open arms when we meet in the afternoon. Lilo becomes hysterically overjoyed and likes to bite her mother's mitts. We all do it in our own different ways, and personally I ignore my dog if he were to behave that way. Another thing worth thinking about is whether you back off or move forward when your dog is behaving like a muppet.
With all that said; we have decided to change a few things when we meet in the morning and afternoon, and Lilo's mother will also start walking around a few houses with them every day. I will coach her the best I can, and make sure that there is some order and order on the farm.
Because believe me when I say it; it's actually not hard at all to join them together. ♥ From, like any dog, need guidance and form on the walk. But Boyo is still a puppy, and it's easy to be a little too kind and soft then. Been there, done that, me with. 😀