Natural Dogmanship is all about understanding our dogs by observing how they naturally behave and then using this knowledge to communicate with them in a way that makes sense to them. Instead of trying to make dogs think and act like humans, we learn their "language" and use it in training and everyday life.
In today’s world, it’s common for us to think of our dogs as little humans. We love them and treat them like part of the family, which is wonderful. However, dogs are a different species, and they communicate differently from us. They value different things and think in simpler ways. When we try to understand how to live happily with our dogs, considering their natural instincts and how they see the world can help us communicate much more effectively than if we only use human ways of talking.
As humans, we can learn new languages and adapt to different ways of communicating. If we want to live peacefully and happily with our dogs, it’s our job to learn how to speak “dog.” This is the heart of Natural Dogmanship.
While Natural Horsemanship is well-known and widely practiced, Natural Dogmanship is still a relatively new idea for many dog owners. Sure, there are different dog training methods that use parts of this approach, but overall, it’s not as common as it is with horse training.
If you think about it, understanding how a horse thinks is really important because horses are big animals. Without understanding their behavior, things could get dangerous. On the other hand, dogs are smaller and seem easier to manage, so people might not see the need to learn how to communicate with them on the same level.
Dogs come in all sizes and are relatively easy to bring into our homes. Many people get dogs and figure out how to live with them as they go along. This can sometimes lead to confusion and behavioral issues, especially in new or stressful situations for the dog. Simply saying "it's okay" might not be enough. Communicating in a way that makes sense to them will be more effective.
The sooner you start speaking “dog” to your dog, the better your relationship will be. It helps both of you understand each other on a deeper level and prevents many problems before they start.
It’s easy to forget that dogs aren’t humans. They have their own instincts and ways of thinking, which we need to understand. Dogs do well with boundaries, consistency, and calm, confident leadership. They like knowing what to expect and where they fit in. They feel safe and happy when there are clear rules and structure.
Practicing Natural Dogmanship doesn’t mean being strict or harsh. Most disagreements between dogs aren’t about fighting, and neither is this way of communicating. It’s about being kind when kindness is needed, firm when firmness is needed, and letting go of negative feelings.
By practicing Natural Dogmanship, we not only become better at understanding and training our dogs, but we also learn to be more patient, understanding, and calm ourselves, which leads to a happier life for both us and our dogs.
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