Shepherd Dogs or Shepherd’s Dogs?
Do you own a Shepherd dog? Do you find any aspect of their behaviour challenging? At Dogtaggs we can help you to understand why this is happening, and more importantly, what you can do about it.
Shepherding breeds such as German Shepherds are THE SHEPHERD’S DOG: the clue is in the name.
When you are experiencing problems with your dog’s behaviour, the question, once pain and fear have been ruled out, is not “what is up with this dog”? Instead, the most important question should be “how knowledgeable, clear, communicative and shepherd-like is the shepherd to whom s/he is attached”?
I try very hard to bring this to attention in Shepherd School.
People who accept the role of shepherd in a shepherd dog’s life need to understand that the battles that arise between human and dog over control and self control can only end with the realisation that it is the human that must, as a priority, find their own self control. Only when the shepherd is self-controlled can the diminishing need to exert control over the other be truly evaluated.
The pain caused when the need for a space in which self-control can thrive in both parties is either not recognised or ignored is chronic for shepherding dogs. Because the shepherding dogs inherit a behavioural history that equips them to operate at distance from the shepherd, in complex, animal-rich environments with independence. For independence read SELF-CONTROL: control in their own life. The shepherd must find safe ways for their dog’s independence to emerge in human environments.
Shepherding dogs inherit a behavioural history that equips them to operate at distance, in complex, animal-rich environments with independence. Badger: photo credit Rachel Wynn
At Dogtaggs this concept starts with Tracking, initially within the small-group foundation course Get Cracking with Tracking. Following on from this there are options to learn more about being a good Shepherd for your dog in Shepherd School, and to take tracking into a wider range of environments in the Variety Track Pack workshops. These courses are also very beneficial for non-shepherding breeds and their people. For more information about all of these courses please go to https://dogtaggs.co.uk/courses-and-booking/ Any questions please email hello@dogtaggs.co.uk
