Pre-Training Dog Behaviors: Why It's Essential

So, is this kind of behavior right or wrong? Today's article will delve into the importance of "foreplay" in dog training. Let's explore why it's crucial to have a proper introduction to the training process.

Forced Dominance

For those who have been in the social world for a while, you naturally understand the significance of foreplay.

However, training a dog without any foreplay is clearly problematic. From a dog training perspective, this approach is not only wrong but can also have the opposite effect.

Why? Because when a dog displays submission, showing its belly is the final step!

Foreplay

Firstly, when a dog exhibits submission, it communicates through various body languages. These gestures are designed to ease the awkwardness and stress of meeting new situations, such as wagging its tail, allowing others to sniff its bottom, and so on. This is what we refer to as "foreplay."

Only when the dog still feels the possibility of a fight will it lie down and expose its belly.

Curious friends can observe that any dog attempting to show submission will go through this "foreplay" before lying down and exposing its belly. The duration of the "foreplay" depends on the dog's courage and age.

Shy, younger dogs will complete the "foreplay" quickly and then lie down to expose their bellies. Braver, older dogs may find it difficult to lie down and expose their bellies.

What are the consequences of skipping the foreplay?

Confusion

Dogs naturally understand these foreplay gestures, but if humans jump straight to the final step, the dog's logic can become confused.

Imagine the gap that can form between people when they lack foreplay in their interactions. Dogs are no different; they can become bewildered, and some may even attack their owners due to the confusion caused by the lack of foreplay.

Fear

After such treatment, many dogs may appear to be "wellbehaved," but this is not genuine compliance. It is fear.

While fear can make a dog appear compliant, it can also deepen the dog's distrust of its owner. Such dogs may not truly become wellbehaved and could become disobedient in many situations. Owners might then mistakenly think the dog is mischievous and repeat the same mistakes.

The true purpose of dog training is to build trust between dogs and humans and teach the dogs to obey, not to instill fear and distrust.

Summary:

Foreplay is an essential part of a dog's daily training. This step may be initiated by the dog itself or provided by the owner. Although it may seem unimportant from a human perspective, it is incredibly significant to the dog.

We all know that dogs are very direct animals with straightforward thinking. However, their thinking is also influenced by genetics. Dogs have been able to accompany humans for thousands of years because the memories passed down from generation to generation can be reflected in their descendants, and these memories are the result of our ancestors' training.

While these memories can be inherited, they also need to be activated by the owner. But when activating them, it is crucial to use the right methods and avoid taking shortcuts by skipping the "foreplay" steps.