Radical behaviourism combined with trust technique, what is it?
Our system is a relationship building methodology which centres everything on the bond between human and animal. The bond that is built, which is a relationship based on mutual trust and respect, becomes the foundation for everything that you go on to do with the animal.
How do you build a relationship based on mutual trust and respect with your dog?
Exactly as you do with human friends. Show them the real you. Share activities, spend time relaxing, meet the exercise needs, value their concerns, allow them to express themselves, give them choices to make.
Trust and respect are earned. So too are mistrust and disrespect.
How do you use it, practically?
Application of the technique is about giving the animal space and choice to make decisions and follow you because it wants to, because it trusts you and wants to be with you.
Those things only fall into place once you have a relationship based on mutual trust and respect, hence relationship comes first, everything else, whatever those goals you have are, after.
There’s give and take in any relationship, an animal’s needs must be met, just like ours. Your dog has a purpose, something it was born to do, find it, let the dog do it somewhere appropriate, watch and smile.
But my dog is reactive / doesn’t listen / gets way too excited/ has a bite history, do I just sit back, say nothing and watch the carnage?
Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing to do. Only you know if your dog has intent to harm or not.
Where the rubber meets the road in the trust technique is finding your own calm first, in all situations, and under intense provocation and frustration. The calm centre you become is the most attractive thing in the world to a scared / reactive / (insert problem behaviours) dog, or really any dog that’s not in a calm state. You are demonstrating leadership. It’s not an instant fix, it’s a process, but it starts with you being the exemplar to and for your dog. Be the change you want to see in your dog, they are more tuned in to you than you know. There’s no time limit, every dog is different.
What about problem behaviours?
Always find out why they are happening. Every problem behaviour has a cause. Once you’ve identified that, and can work on it, the problem behaviour will naturally extinguish.
How do I know it’s working?
Only you know the state of your relationship with your dog. I could only offer personal anecdotes here, but if you want to find out how it is, a good test is to go somewhere, take off the tools, the leash and say nothing and walk off. What do you think your dog will do? Does the idea of doing that scare you? It did me once.
Food for thought;
If it’s easier, think of it the same way as building a relationship with your human best friend(s). They are sentient beings, with wants, needs, joys, fears etc. A relationship with another person acknowledges those things and provides shared outlets for them, and activities you do together strengthen your bond (friendship).
Think how quickly relationships go south when someone doesn’t feel listened to, or their every waking move is micromanaged and commanded, or if their fears are brushed aside with a shout and a yank on a chain, or an electric shock on the neck.
How fast would your friends leave you if every time they got excited about something when they were with you, you said no don’t do that, have a chocolate bar and keep walking? Pretty damn fast.
Would you wish to be around someone treating you like that? Why would a dog?