Dog, please say something: Learning to understand your dog

By Petra Koehler

Relationship and trust. A dog is a dog. At this point I would like to start with what most people are not prepared to accept: we are dealing with a dog and not with the replacement of a partner, family member or even stuffed animal. Unfortunately, I often find that a dog is bought for a child, but this child is understandably unable to cope with the upcoming responsibility. Problems are thus inevitable. If we are willing to deal with the origin of the dog to start with in the first step, we will approach the dog with a corresponding appreciation and more respect, which we should also show the dog. The most important thing we should be willing to accept is the fact that we are dealing with an animal. An animal capable of self-acting and thinking, which is intelligent, has its own character and differs from others, not only in species or breed. At the same time, we should have the willingness to accept that there are many deep-rooted dispositions and that the innate social structure may not be underestimated. But whether in a pack or a social community (group), they are all looking for guidance and therefore for someone who is not only able to provide food, but at the same time can protect their social structure and lead them competently through life. The moment we become too fixated on loving, cuddling, overwhelming, or even humanizing our dog, this can cause problems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: tredition
• Release date: Feb 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9783748223474

Book preview

Acknowledgements

I would like to begin by thanking everyone who has pushed me to write this book, all those who have accompanied me over the years, all those whose words I mention in some examples, and all the trainers and mentors with whom I have had the honors to work with up to now, and with whom I could exchange experiences and be friends with.

My special thanks go to the hundreds of dogs that have made me what I am today. Whether your own dogs, foster or board dogs, dog students or the so-called camp visitors, which have all inspired me in their own special way. Of course, I do not want to forget the people and dogs who have participated in seminars, workshops, social groups and pilgrimages with and for dogs. Thanks to every single person who has come into my life.

Foreword

In recent years I have been asked again and again why I do not finally write a book. I asked myself the question, why should I write a book? There are already so many books on dog training, education, body language and much more. And, at the moment everyone seems to want to write a book. Do I really want to become part of that queue? But whilst I was reading a post from one of my students on one of the social networks, I thought, maybe it is time to write a book but a different type of book about dogs and dog training. Maybe even a book that goes much deeper, a book that teaches us to perceive ourselves, which allows people a new insight and that inspires us to finally become what we all want to be with our dog.

A strong, trusting and respecting team.

Please note in this context that this is not in any way a science or guidebook. On the contrary, you will receive recommendations from me about titles and authors of whom you might want to read further and, with which you can immerse yourself more intensely in the theory subject. I, on the other hand, would like to try to give you something tangible for living with your dog on everyday basis. Experiences, information and examples from and for everyday life.

For you to understand why I begin, how I begin, I would like to share the words of one of my students as mentioned earlier with you:

"I've had dogs for most of my life, and I've seen and attended many puppy classes and other obedience training sessions. But I never attended for long, I was bored, frustrated, dissatisfied and my dog seemed to feel the same. I also felt as if we were not really being taken seriously. I've tried many times to put into words why Petra´s training is so different. Working with her makes me wish I could win the lottery just to join dog training every day of the week or even become a dog trainer myself. Because it's not really about training the dog, it's about teaching people, like me, something. That is exactly what I started to understand in my work with Petra. Every day, bonding and living with my dog became a bit clearer, defined and logical for me. More than anything else, I felt I was being taken seriously every single day, no matter what difficulties or questions arose. That's what most other dog trainers had never done before. They had not taken the time for the owners, and they had mostly followed school book guidelines. I´m not saying that this is bad, but the individual facet was lacking, which resulted in frustration for me. I struggled somehow, but ultimately, I was never happy at the end of all. What was it that inspired and motivated me in training with Petra?

1. She works with each dog individually and yet in the group.

2. We as human beings are important and are taken seriously.

3. We humans are taught to understand our dogs and not just to train.

Best of all, it's such intense and heartfelt work that you suddenly have 50 new friends who have all experienced similar, have been or are going on the same path. And that's exactly why I want more, every day. Thanks to Petra, I understand that it is much more than just dog training. it's life changing."

Susanne L.

I was flattered and happy to read these lines. But at the same time, it made me realize that there is apparently really too little education around for dog owners.

Lumpi, my first real dog experience, including a bite into the cheek. From an early age everyone should learn that a dog is an animal, acting instinctively and we have to respect this in all dogs no matter what size.

Who am I?

Petra Köhler, trainer,

IACP CDT PDTI,

IHK Potsdam

Dog trainer / behavioral consultant

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Petra Köhler, I was born in Germany in 1977 and have lived in the USA and Spain for several years. These experiences have certainly influenced my approaches in the world of training. Different countries and thus different perspectives. The more open and flexible a person journeys through life, the more likely they are enabled to recognize situations, evaluate them and thus find the fitting path. In this case, tailored training approaches for dog and owner. I have always, in every single step of my life, tried to remain open and flexible. Today, from experience, all I can say is that there are many stones along the path, never a way to go back, but at the next crossroad, you can choose to follow another direction. That is and always will be a firm basis in our lives.

When Pedro, a yellow Labrador mix, came into my life, my entrance into the world of training was sealed, even though he was not my first dog. He taught me, that dogs are never the same, that every animal is an individual, that everyone has their own characteristics, and that we as humans have to respect that. Pedro is still, after more than 13 years, my soul companion but was a dog of highest energy in earlier days, who challenged his limits every day, was up to a lot of monkey business, chewing on shoes, glasses, cushions, and more and declaring them to be his toys. Yes, he took great pleasure in investigating all these objects with his teeth. He did not respect people's space, jumped on everyone, fought little battles with my brother when he brought his girlfriend or friends into the house. He sometimes drove the people around him to the edge of sheer despair. My mother regularly threatened to auction him on eBay. Although meant as a joke, it clearly showed the seriousness of the situation.

My soulmate Pedro

But Pedro had not expected my very tenacious determination at that time. The willpower to make us two individuals a team. To help him, Pedro, to become what every dog owner desires: the perfect dog for oneself. After nearly 20 months, we had made it. A beloved, energetic, yellow Labrador puppy had become my beloved, reliable, bright and happy companion for life. That's one of the reasons why he accompanied me to Spain. To say it in the words of Heinz Rüh-mann: You can live without a dog, but it's not worth it. Even today Pedro helps me with his strong social skills in working with others, in the eyes of their owners’ crazy dogs.

Pedro kept me on the right track. I started dealing with the psychology and understanding of dogs. An enormously important, if not the most important tool to properly evaluate a dog is to watch them closely, respect and understand the animal. I came to grips with dog psychology, body language and various evaluation approaches and began to study these areas more intensively. I should remind you all, who take the time to read these lines, that theory is and always will be an important part of training, but theory alone does not help the dog when there is a lack of practice and experience. In practice, we see things, behavior, reactions and live situations, learning to see what matters. Being able to share and exchange these observations with experienced colleagues makes the difference. I have learned this the hard way, went through tough times on an international level and with hundreds of different dogs, no matter what breed, and I am grateful for every four-legged friend who broadened my horizon and just as thankful to every trainer who shared their knowledge with me.

To explain or clarify it better, I would like to share some more stories with you, from the daily lives of dog owners, I was allowed to work with. They will tell their own stories and report on their experiences. I am sure that many dog owners will believe that they are reading scenarios from their own lives, thinking oh, I believe that, is that me, or is that us?

Shiva – Let me teach you

"This is my short story about my American Stafford girl, Shiva and me. When we got Shiva who was four weeks old, we had no idea what an impact she would have to stirring up our existing pack of two Lhasa Apsos.

At four months, she was constantly trying to become leader of the pack, taking this position away from our Lhasa male. Consequently, I needed to