February is all about having fun! No dog shows this month, we are getting ready for the next one which is in March.
This month I have been paying close attention to what my dogs like, what makes his tail wag and what gives her bounce. We all want to feel loved and appreciated, our fur friends want that too. In an earlier video I talked about the R-A-T test. In that video I talk about Mutual Respect, Admiration and Trust and how it must come from both the dog and the handler to be 100%. Both need to invest and serve each other. Making my dog do what I want isn't mutual. I need to find ways to serve and please my dog if I expect my dog to serve and please me. If chasing the ball is fun, do it. If rolling around on the floor is fun to my pup, I'll do it. I need to know what my dog likes to do and serve that up to my dog if I want to pass that R-A-T Test!
This month I am finding the things, activities, sounds, body language, words, treats and toys that makes my dog happy.
Since the R-A-T test is mutual, I I need to figure out what my dog likes. My dog knows what I want, we are working in the training studio on the things I want. But are we working on the things that my dog wants?
If you have ever read Gary Chapman's "Five Love Languages", then you know what I am talking about. Learning how to read someone's love language is a bridge to knowing what they want. Since my dog doesn't speak in my language, I have to figure out his language. In the book the author identifies 5 different love languages:
1. Words of Affirmation
2. Acts of Service
3. Gifts
4. Quality Time
5. Physical Touch
Each dog has their own thing that makes them tick. For us to have mutual Respect, Admiration and Trust, I need to know their love language, they need to know mine, and we both need to invest in each others love language.
So what are my dog's favorite activities and what gives them the most joy?
The first thing to do is refer to the AKC Breed Standard. My pure bred dog has a long line of purpose and reason for his being. Water dogs probably love water activities, hunting dogs probably love hunting.
I have Italian Greyhounds whos purpose is to sit on a warm lap and hunt varmints. That is what my pure bred dog was used for for 4,000 years ago and still good at today. The Italian Greyhound Club of America and AKC both publish on their website a definition of the characteristics and correct structure of an Italian Greyhound. When I show my dog in an AKC Conformation show, my dog is being judged on that published definition of his character, structure and movement. So when I win at the show, I am proving I have the quality to breed a really good lap dog who chases varmints!
So what can I do to serve my dog in her love language?
More than anything, Boerne wants to spend the whole day with me. On my lap. That love language is "Quality Time". Her love language is Quality Time above anything else. This breed of dog is very co-dependent. She also likes empty water bottles, she goes nuts when I crunch and toss her an empty water bottle. That love language would be "Gifts". She is also motivated by snacks when we are in the training studio and the show ring. Bait would be "Gifts" and when I toss the Bait for her to catch it, (another love language here) that would be "Acts of Service". I constantly talk to her, and I can get a little bit of a tail-wag when I praise her, that love language would be "Words of Affirmation". Petting her isn't her thing, but she will press in when I am kissing her head, and that would be, "Physical Touch".
Well I hope this has helped you, we will be working on all this in the Dainty Acres Training Studio. Please let me know how it is working! And please hit the Subscibe button if you want to see more free videos about Italian Greyhounds!
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