Human Affection - from how a dog sees it!

When I think of affection I think of how us humans see it as in hugs, kisses or maybe doing something caring for another, but my dogs don't see affection the same way!

In fact any attention from me is affection, affection is a reward to my dogs. Think about that and you'll soon understand why some dogs seem to love being told off - if I nag at Peter "Bad Boy" or "Stop That" he doesn't get it as a correction he just sees it as my attention upon him...he laps it up! So rather than getting him to stop what I don't want him to do rather I am encouraging him to continue...Another say Eddie will understand it as "me cross" and will become fearful but still does not associate it with her doing anything wrong - even though she may look like she's guilty that's fear! Even laughing at their naughtiness can be an encouraging signal....bit like how we as adults know we shouldn't laugh when children do wrong but what they are doing is funny!!!

If my dogs ask for affection, the old paw on the knee trick then I try to ignore them ...hard as it is as they're such a darn cute bunch and have some great manipulative tricks to get me to give-in..Jack especially who turns around presenting me with his back over and over as he knows I can pick him up in one hand...or Monty who gives me a half smile, bright eyes then bounces off outside hoping I will follow to walk him! If I do give-in though I immediately become a follower and not a leader, so I ignore them/claim my space so they have to move away, then later once I know they have resettled I call them over to share affection, no negotiation...only on my terms reinforcing my leadership!

How do they know when I am pleased with them? My energy tells them...words are not always necessary to communicate with my canine chums! Neither do they need cuddles, treats, toys etc to feel my love....... don't get me started on designer coats, collars etc that really is for the owners pleasure and is not understood as affection by a dog! I show them my love everyday - every time I feed them and take care of them in the way they need their leader too.

Sounds like I'm being tough? - not to my dogs it doesn't it's how they expect a Pack Leader to behave! So if you want to teach a dog new rules or change a behaviour - remember exercise then comes the discipline then affection as a reward.......in that order it works!