Let me paint a familiar picture…
You’re out on a walk with your young dog. Everything starts well – they’re responding to you, checking in, taking treats. Then suddenly, something changes. It’s that moment every dog owner knows too well. Your usually responsive companion seems to vanish into their own world, even though they’re right there at the end of the lead.
You know what happens next, don’t you? Those treats in your hand – the ones that were working perfectly just moments ago – might as well be invisible. Your voice, which normally gets at least a flicker of an ear, becomes background noise.
Your dog has spotted something in the distance. Maybe it’s another dog, or a jogger, or something moving that you can’t even see yet. You feel that familiar tightening in your chest as you watch their focus intensify. The approaching trigger gets closer, and despite your best efforts, your dog’s behaviour escalates from intense focus to reactivity.
There you are, struggling to maintain control, while receiving those all-too-familiar disapproving glances from passers-by. Your cheeks flush, your heart races, and you wonder how this keeps happening despite all your efforts.
If you’re nodding your head right now, if your stomach is doing that little flip of recognition, know that you’re not alone in this.
Perhaps you’ve heard all the usual advice? Those well-meaning but often unhelpful suggestions:
“You need to be more assertive!”
“Show them who’s boss!”
“You’re too soft with them!”
But something in your gut tells you there must be a better way. A way that doesn’t damage the precious bond you’re building with your dog. A way that actually makes sense of what’s happening in these moments.
And you know what? Your instincts are absolutely right.
Understanding Your Dog’s Heritage
Let me share something fascinating about your working dog. You see, whether you have a Border Collie, Spaniel, Terrier, or any of their crosses, your dog comes from generations of carefully selected working partners. These dogs were bred for specific jobs, and that’s left them with some pretty incredible natural behaviours.
Think of it like a dance sequence – we call it the Predatory Action Sequence (PAS). It goes something like this:
First, they ORIENT – using their senses to detect something interesting. Then comes the EYE phase, where they focus intently on what they’ve spotted. This might lead to STALKING – that beautiful, focused movement you sometimes see. Then there’s the CHASE, followed by GRAB, and finally, that moment of triumph we call the PARADE – you know, when they’re so proud of what they’ve achieved.
How This Shows Up in Different Breeds
Let’s talk about how these natural drives show up in different breeds.
Working With The Dog In Front Of You
Now, here’s where it gets really personal – because while knowing about breeds is helpful, your dog is unique. Think of it like getting to know a new friend. What makes them light up? What gets them excited? What makes them want to engage with you?
Let me walk you through what to look for:
First, watch for those joy triggers. You’ll see it in their eyes, in their body language, in how they respond to different activities. What part of that sequence we talked about really gets them going? Is it the thrill of the chase? The satisfaction of carrying something special? The excitement of tracking a scent?
Then, pay attention to their ‘switch on’ moments. Every dog has them – those times when they’re absolutely in their element. Maybe it’s when they first catch a scent, or when they spot movement, or when they get to grab their favourite toy.
Here’s the beautiful part – once you understand these things about your dog, you can use them to create amazing training experiences. Instead of fighting against what comes naturally to them, you can channel these drives into activities that you both enjoy.
Remember, your dog is an individual. I’ve met Collies who weren’t interested in herding, Spaniels who preferred eye contact to sniffing, and Terriers who were gentle as lambs with their toys. What matters most is the dog right there beside you.
Additional Section: The Agility Dog Paradox
Here’s something interesting about working with dogs in agility – we often seek out dogs with strong drive and focus. After all, these are the qualities that make for brilliant agility partners. But there’s a catch, isn’t there?
Those same wonderful traits that make your dog light up on the agility course can feel challenging during adolescence. That drive, focus, and quick response to movement? They’re like a double-edged sword. Your future agility star might also be the one who seems overwhelmed by everyday life right now.
You see, these dogs we choose as our agility partners are often:
– Highly motion sensitive (perfect for reading our handling signals!)
– Environmentally aware (great for working at a distance!)
– Quick to get excited (fantastic for maintaining drive in competition!)
But here’s the thing – these same traits mean our young dogs can sometimes feel like they’re running on overdrive. The slightest movement might trigger their focus. A new environment might send their excitement levels through the roof. This is where understanding those natural drives we talked about becomes crucial.
Starting them off on the right track isn’t just about training agility skills – it’s about helping them navigate their world while maintaining that precious drive and enthusiasm we’ll need later. It’s about building a partnership that can handle whatever the environment throws at you, whether that’s at a competition or just on your daily walk.
Understanding Changes Everything
When we understand our dogs, frustration turns into opportunity. Those moments of disconnection? They’re actually windows into your dog’s natural drives and instincts.
Would you like to:
- Better understand your dog’s behaviour?
- Learn to work with their natural instincts?
- Build a stronger partnership together?
I’m developing resources to help you and your dog thrive together. I’d love to hear about your journey – you can reach me at suekew3@gmail.com.
Let’s make your journey together more enjoyable.
