Contact is effective and comfortable communication between the dog and its owner, when they experience the pleasure of communication and any interaction with each other. Without contact, it is difficult not only to train a puppy, but also to live with him in the same territory. But what needs to be done to make contact appear?
Before starting to train a puppy, it is important for the owner to realize that, although he is furry, he is still a person with his own temperament and character. The paradigm “master - dominates, dog - obey” is hopelessly outdated, giving way to mutual respect and conflict-free training. Therefore, it is important that there is contact between the puppy and the owner.
Developing contact with the puppy
A person and a dog will not be able to communicate and interact well if contact is not established between them. But what needs to be done in order for it to appear? The following rules must be observed:
- Talk to the puppy as much as possible. Dogs can memorize dozens of words and associate them with various actions of the owner. Hence the magical effect when it seems that the dog understands and obeys the owner perfectly.
- Control your actions and your emotions. The owner who constantly breaks down at the puppy will not get the ideal behavior from him. Even if he does not respond to the call, walks in the mud or rummages in the garbage, he behaves as a dog should behave. If this behavior does not suit, then the puppy should not be scolded, but taught to act differently.
- Learn to notice signals. Puppies communicate with us using body language. To show that he is happy, scared or uncomfortable, the puppy gives signals to his owner. An example of such a signal is growl. If the dog growls, then the first thing the owner should do is to analyze the reasons for the appearance of such a signal, and not try to respond with aggression to aggression.
- Give your puppy freedom of choice. The puppy is not a robot, but a restless explorer. Therefore, it is important to provide him with the opportunity to explore. For example, after "toilet work", you can give him the opportunity to choose where to go next: to the path, along which many people walked, or to the bushes, where there are many smells of other dogs.
- Make walks as varied as possible. Walking the same route every day or never leaving the yard is a dull exercise. Games, hikes, jogging, repetition of commands - what diversifies the walk.
- Be consistent. It is impossible at first until 3 months, to allow the puppy to do whatever he pleases, and then abruptly begin to educate and train him. It is necessary to set clear and feasible for the puppy framework of behavior and gently but persistently hold them.
How to understand if there is a contact?
Elena Molodtsova, biologist, dog behavior specialist and founder of the humane dog training school, identifies three components of contact:
- attachment;
- understanding;
- confidence.
Affection - when a puppy not only strives for its owner, follows him, but also feels a sense of security and comfort. The puppy becomes more self-confident if his owner is around. He runs to the owner if he is afraid, and becomes a more active explorer, feeling his closeness.
Trust from the puppy's point of view - when he knows that the owner's actions and reactions to behavior will always be safe and predictable. That is why many modern training methods eliminate punishment: they lead to mistrust and fear.
Mutual understanding - when the puppy and the owner have not only adapted to living together, but understand each other's reactions and are able to cope with them.
Is it possible for a person and a dog to live comfortably without contact? It is possible, if their existence is forced, neutral, and all interactions are minimized.
