Just lately I've seen quite a few posts from people struggling with doggie behaviour. Been there with several issues myself with my beautiful 18 month old boy and the hoomans around him, and we've not finished yet. Due to lockdown as well, behaviours previously under control started to reemerge so been quite a bit of going back to basics as well. In context as well Hero gets anxious quite easily, doesn't take much to tip to over excitable and has had a lot of food sensitivity problems. Add to that the fact my asthma can affect the sound or tone of my voice on a daily basis. Worked with a lovely trainer and behaviourist and they suggested several months back that I concentrate more on non verbal commands. I have to say that this has worked brilliantly. I use a system of whistle signals when out off lead and hand signals for everything else. Hero has taken to this so much better than voice commands and it is of great benefit when he has lots of people talking around him, out in noisy high traffic areas, when he is showing signs of anxiety or overexcitability. We have so much fun at the same time and I don't get stressed so neither does he. The only other signal I use to get him to look at me if lots is going on around him in close quarters is a simple finger click. This helps to divert him from getting in to mischief which he is very capable of doing. We have days where we just do totally silent sessions and Hero has proven so responsive to this as he has to concentrate and watch what my hands are doing. I've found that along with scentwork, that this gives Hero lots of mental stimulation, we both stay calm and we have fun at the same time. It's totally changed our relationship for the better. Part of the enjoyment comes from finding your own signals which work for your dog and you. We have a hand signals for sit, down, settle, come, return(come here, go round back of me and sit on left side in heel position), wait, no bark, no teeth, go to bed/crate, settle, touch hand, heel walking, stop, leave it, drop, go find, fetch, stand as well as the various tricks he has learned - peekaboo( goes round back of me through legs and sits between legs) , leg weave through and round both legs, spin, rollover, say please, take arm, chin, touch with paw, walk back. By changing to this way of doing things Hero is much more settled than he was, walks and everything else are now a pleasure and 'bad' moments are so much less. Just like with any training it takes a lot of hard work but associating a hand signals with verbal command to begin with then gradually drop the verbal command altogether, intersperse sessions with periods of play and you get to see just how intelligent your beautiful doggie really is. I certainly have so hopefully this may just give someone else a bit of food for thought.
