So your dog has bad habits? Trust me, you’re part of the problem.

This writing is a follow-up to my previous article about having the best bird dog.  It got me to thinking this evening about common things I hear related to “my dog does this and that”.  LIke everything in life, there is cause and effect.

Every bad habit your dog has, assuming you brought the dog home at say 8 weeks of age, is probably your fault.  Yep, your fault.  You may not have done anything to start the bad habit but perhaps you haven’t taken proper action.  

Let’s review a few examples:

1.  My dog bites/nips.  Did that start the day you got the dog or soon after?  It was cute at first and now the dog is a problem. 

2.  My dog chews my shoes and potties in the house.  Hmmm, why has it been allowed to continue?  Why didn’t you begin corrective action immediatley?  If you did begin corrective action, why are you still allowing it?  If you can’t fix it, then you must take action that makes YOU feel better even if it means making the dog an outside dog.  There is a solution to every issue.

3. My dog busts birds.  You’ve shot some birds for the dog that weren’t held properly?  Perhaps you haven’t corrected the dog properly?  You continue to hunt the dog regardless of the problem thus reinforcing the problem?

4.  My dog chews his birds up (hard mouth).  Did you begin corrective training the moment you noticed it or did you continue to hunt the dog hoping the problem would ‘get better’? 

Any time a dog is allowed to continue a behavior that is unacceptable is actual reinforcement that the behavior is acceptable.  Every passing day that it is allowed makes it much more difficult to repair.

While you may not have asked for the bad habit, you have reinforced it by not taking proper corrective action.  That is why you are at fault.

This reminds me of the old saying that every indecision is a decision.  The dog has an issue but you take no action that actually corrects the problem thus you are reinforcing the issue.

Pro trainers are pros because they have solutions.  Solutions for the most common issues.  What is tough for the new dog owner is recognizing that it IS an issue and seeking help immediately at the onset of the issue.

Here’s a rule of thumb.  If your bird dog is doing something at home or in the field that makes you uncomfortable, unhappy, or dissatisfied in any way, it is an issue that you need help resolving immediately.  I mean NOW, the very second it rears its ugly head.

All is not lost!  Seek help from a professional or very experienced Brittany owner.  Be willing to accept advice.  You will be happier and resolution to the issue will forever make you and the dog very happy.  Your Brittany wants a structured life where it understands the rules.  It is our job to make sure we have presented a simple / logical way for it to understand what we want and to not let something go uncorrected / untaught to the point to where we are both unhappy.

That’s it for now.  God bless you and America!  Give your dog a treat for me and tell ‘em “Dave says you are a good dog!”

Cordially,

Dave Jones, HMC, USN, Ret