EMOTIONAL HELLO’S AND GOODBYE’S

Emotional “Hello’s and Goodbye’s” are when you greet your dog or say goodbye to your dog in an excited way.

If you have a new puppy or dog that jumps on guests, doesn’t listen to you or has other behavioral issues, you may want to reconsider saying hello or goodbye to them because doing so can cause behavior problems.  Petting your dog when you come home should have nothing to do with dominance or pack leadership, no matter who tells you.

I consider this one of the biggest mistakes people make and the number one contributor to a dog’s behavioral issues.  I have a lot of experience on this topic and consider myself a true dog person, sacrificing my own needs if it will benefit the needs of my dog.

I’ve learned over the years that although dogs don’t worship us, they must think we are super beings.  We tower over them, we pet them unlike any dog is able too, we provide shelter, security, food, play and adventure, things that all dogs want and NEED to survive.

Because of the way dogs learn, attention equals reward (approval).  Given at the wrong times, it can have an influence on their behavior and EMOTIONAL state.  Because of the strong bond with humans and the fact they are highly social, playful creatures, they’re not accustom to being separated from one another, especially being separated from humans.

Here is what some people think emotional hellos and goodbyes are telling their dog:

1. Were just saying “Hi”- wouldn’t a dog think we were rude if we didn’t?

2. That we really miss them and it proves that we still love them.

3. They understand we’re feeling guilty for keeping them locked up in the home all day.

4. By petting them, a dog will forgive you for your lack of companionship.

5. My dog seems happy to see me (which is true), they must have missed me (this is very true) isn’t that sweet? Is this unconditional love or what? (That’s not true)

6. I‘ll be thinking about you and miss you while I‘m gone.

7. Not saying goodbye would be rude. I also want him to understand me when I say be a good boy, because he’s not always good.

Coming home and getting your dog all excited with a high voice and praise, or saying goodbye before you leave them for hours, translates the following:

1. That it’s ok to greet you and your guest in that excited way.

2. They’re being rewarded for worrying and anticipating your arrival/departure.

3. Its ok to be hyper and jumping, and they should be even more hyper and do more jumping the next time.

4. Its ok not to listen to you whenever you give them a command.

6. You’re teaching them to develop behavioral issues, like separation anxiety, chewing, barking, digging etc..

7.  All that crying, scratching, barking really was worth it, cause it got you back home.

8.  You’re saying, “good bye, be a good doggy“, they’re hearing nah-nah-nah I’m leaving you all alone, all by yourself and you are going to be miserable!

So, what do you do? and when can you say “Hi”? or keep them from being hyper and jumping on people? Well, I can’t give all my secrets away, there needs to be a reason people will hire me. In Australia I offer private and in-home programs. I also offer Skype lessons to help people all over the world.

Use the comment form below to contact me.  You can also subscribe, to be notified when I post other new training tips