By knowing our canine companion’s fears and triggers, we can prevent problems from occurring, and can better work alongside them in their training, says Rosie Tilley
The world needs different minds to work together. We are all different, our dogs included – we all have our quirks, characteristics, our personality and opinions. It’s what makes us unique. It’s what makes us stand out, and gives the world colour – and our dogs are no exception, they have their very own personalities too! Much like children, a dog’s character begins forming at an early age. Puppyhood is when core memories are built, associations are made, and a dog first begins to show its true colours. This is such an important stage of life for a pup, and thus, we must be on hand to create positive experiences, guiding our pup to become a happy, healthy adult dog.
Puppies learn through their senses, much like children do, albeit leaning more towards scent than other senses, due to their incredible sense of smell. Did you know, a dog can smell as far as 11 miles, and scents as deep as 15 feet underground? In the way we use our eyes to perceive the world around us, a dog uses their sense of smell to learn new things. Dogs essentially ‘see’ with their noses, and therefore, the smell is a very important part of character building for a puppy. At this young age, we should ideally begin introducing a puppy to the world slowly, giving them the best chance of becoming a confident, mature canine. This is also the case for older rescue dogs who must find their feet in their new surroundings. The latter was the case when I took home my wonderful rescue dog Mishka, six years ago. Initially, a very skittish, nervous girl, Mishka came to me with an abundance of fears and behavioural issues.
Aggression towards tall strangers, flinching when being pet, an aversion to confined spaces, fleeing unpredictably at the drop of a hat! But she’s come a long way since those early days of uncertainty and, often, on my part, frustration. From the moment I met Mishka, I could see, through bewildered and troubled eyes, a gentle soul. I could see that somewhere inside this traumatised canine, there was a very special character just waiting to shine through. This dog had the potential to be an amazing companion, a loyal friend, and a very emotionally supportive one too! Something about this little white dog, as I sat with her on the floor of her foster home’s kitchen, reached deep inside my soul and touched my heart. Her gentle nature shone through immediately and still does to this day. The way she so delicately offers a paw, touches her nose to my hand, and softly licks at my face. She’s a very loving creature, and a forgiving one at that, having been poorly treated by humans in the earlier stages of her life. A very maternal nature also, Mishka was a Mum to three puppies when she was rescued from the woods of Romania. She was found in a bad way, and still sometimes shows a lack of trust in the humans she meets. This is something we are constantly working on, but it’s very difficult for her. It’s become a part of her character to be reactive towards people she is wary of. While comfortable and trusting enough of me, my partner, and my close family, Mishka’s behaviour changes dramatically when she is frightened. A behaviour which I have discovered after years of learning her ways is her twitchy whiskers. In the presence of a ‘scary’ human, those whiskers are the first telltale sign that she is not impressed. This has become useful in training as a warning to remove her from the situation before it escalates into aggression. It’s very important that we understand us dog’s behaviour and their quirks. I’d never be angry with her for the aggression she has shown, as she is simply scared, and it is not her true character. While we have been training together for six years now to improve her reactions to the world around her, the fear of selective strangers is one that we are yet to overcome fully. And a reaction that I completely understand. Whether a rescue, or a puppy, learning a dog’s ways is vital in their training, and in ensuring they have the best quality of life. After all, we want them to be as happy and comfortable as possible. Say a human is afraid of confined spaces. We’d never go ahead and lock them in a small room. It’s the same for our dogs. While it’s good to work on exposure therapy towards fearful situations with your dog, it requires careful planning and should be done very gradually, over an extended period.
These days, Mishka is generally a very relaxed, friendly girl who loves cuddles, kisses, treats, and being near her favourite people. She loves to be involved in our plans, and dislikes days when I have to go to work, or if she doesn’t get to come along when we go out. Still not a fan of confined spaces, bath time, cows, horses, and a few, (according to her) ‘scary’ people, she is otherwise a very happy, healthy dog with a fun, easy-going personality. She’ll happily be a part of any plans we make, is a well-behaved girl in the car, and on public transport, and has no trouble whatsoever in the house. A perfect companion to live with, she brightens up the lives of my partner and me and is always ready for a cuddle when we come home from work.
Allowing Mishka’s personality to shine through took time, but it was worth the wait! I’ve found my best friend in her, and it’s been a pleasure to watch her blossom. Knowing your dog is nothing but beneficial for both you and them. We can ensure they feel comfortable in their surroundings, and that they can grow into the very best versions of themselves. By knowing their fears and triggers, we can prevent problems from occurring, and can better work alongside them in their training. We can begin to understand them better, work through their troubles, and most importantly, learn to accept them for who they are, just as I have done with my Mishka. There comes a time when we must better understand our dog’s thoughts and needs, and sooner is always better than later. I encourage you to begin this with your dog if you have not done so already. Let your dog’s personality shine, and allow them to be themselves. Understand them, accept them, and let them live their best life!
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