Helen@helshounds.co.uk +44(0)7356 072133
Raising a young one… do the legs matter?
There are many similarities between raising a dog or any pet really and raising a child. When we look at training techniques, they are often the same skills we use with our human children with different languages. So, in one way, being a pet parent is an understandable perception of the relationship.
However, many people argue against this; you are not your dog‘s mother or father. You are their owner, their handler. But how does one own a living, thinking, feeling being? And handler, well technically that may be correct and yet so cold and unfeeling.
Premacks principle
Premacks principle is a simple theory that states we can use the things that our dogs want to reinforce the behaviours that we expect.
For example, asking them to sit before we put their food bowl down.
Basically if you do X then you can get Y.
Now think about your childhood, or raising your own children. How many times have you used this exact same technique? If you eat all your vegetable then you can have ice cream, if you put sun cream on then you can go out and play.
Ethics
The ethical treatment of animals has evolved over the years, with training theories being discounted and practices being discontinued.
Much like the treatment of children has changed over the years.
We have discredited the likes of, say, dominance theory in dog training, much like we no longer leave babies to “cry it out” before they have the emotional regulation skills to be able to self-soothe.
Consistency
Much like teaching children anything from potty training to sleeping in their own bed or reading and writing, consistency is essential in dog training.
Everyone must be on the same page, using the same techniques, words and gestures. Every activity must be repeated over and over until it is perfect. And even then, there are often slip-ups and regressions.
The Kahu
Finally, going back to what we were thinking about at the beginning of the page. Who are you to your dog. If you do all the things that you do for your children and yet you are not a mother, the alternative owner cannot be true and the final alternative handler is simply too cold then who are you?
I recently learnt an interesting fact, in Hawaiian, you do not call yourself your dog’s owner. You are their Kahu.
Now, what does this mean? Kahu in its first meanings is an honored attendant, guardian, nurse, keeper of bones, regent, keeper, administrator. It is also a warden, caretaker, master, mistress. Even one who has a dog, cat, pig, or other pet.
The keeper of something precious. We are our pets guardians, we are their caretakers, the one responsible for interpreting them for the rest of the world. We love them with all our hearts, we keep them safe, we honour them and attend to all their needs. We are their Kahu.
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