Years ago, when I received my personal protection dog from CC Protection Dogs, the trainers went into detail about how my dog was trained. In addition, I remember a story they told me about another trainer who called them seeking advice on how to work with a dog that had reached a learning impasse due to behavioral issues.
This trainer explained one of his methods for becoming the dog’s “pack leader” involved biting the ear of the dog, something wolves in wild packs do. Another ritual he adopted as a training technique involved “alpha rolling” the dog; again, something wolves do.
The problem this particular trainer had is that he viewed dogs and wolves in similar ways due to ancestral history. In fact, this well-meaning trainer was correct in his desire for control but his misunderstanding of the real dynamics of the human/dog relationship meant he was going about it the wrong way.
Over the years, I’ve heard other people advocate similar types of flawed training and I’ve concluded that dogs understand their role in the human world better than humans understand their role in the dog world. Simply put, dogs are smart enough not to confuse a human for a dog. I’m certain my executive protection dog doesn’t get the two of us confused.
Considering the complexity and intricacy of canine interactions, it would be arrogant to think that humans are able to accurately replicate a dog’s view of the world. Given that dogs are masters of body language, they view human attempts at imitating canine behavior as abnormal at best. When a dog bites another dog’s ear there is much more going on than meets the eye. We shouldn’t presume we understand what’s happening.
By observing wolf behavior, we really are highlighting the differences between wolves and dogs. The two behaviors are not interchangeable. The ways in which wolves interface with one another should not be applied to our own interactions with dogs; nor should the way dogs interface with each other.
The differences in the two species are apparent. While wolves do all that they can to avoid humans, dogs readily leave their litter mates to join them (the reverse of the pack instinct). Dogs will even defend their two-legged human companions against another dog. They are fully committed to defending their human handlers whereas wolf pack leaders often have to defend their position from rival members within their own pack. Such behaviors, a few of many, demonstrate that dogs view us differently than they view their own kind.
So when asserting yourself with your personal protection dog or canine companion, please keep in mind that he or she does not see you as another dog. Dogs see us as something they think is even better: a human. To learn more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com
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