A world champion gundog trainer with 25 years of experience has some useful advice for dog owners
A world champion dog trainer with years of experience has shared useful advice for dog owners. Many dog owners might be very protective of their pets wherever they go.
But world champion dog trainer Jason Mayhew says dog owners need to rethink what they are doing. And he says we need to stop being so over-protective of our pets.
He said: “A huge part of modern-day pet ownership involves pampering pets, being overprotective and treating them like children, but they are not people and forcing them to behave as such often leads to issues. Although instinct training is one of many ways to train a dog, and is not a one-size-fits-all all approach, there can be benefits to tapping into a pet’s instincts and natural behaviours if done in a controlled and appropriate manner.
“There are many examples of instinct-based training methods, including leveraging a natural communication behaviour by using non-verbal cues to create different tones of voice and allowing off-lead time so they can roam freely and get the necessary exercise.
“My tips and techniques may seem crazy to some dog owners, but ultimately I am trying to get people to fulfil their instinctual needs instead of forcing them to comply with ours and improve the bond between pet and owner.”
Jason has bags of experience in the field. He has made TV appearances on shows like Britain’s Favourite Top 100 Dogs and James Martin’s British Adventure.
Jason believes that owners have forgotten dogs are animals, and must understand their pet’s natural and intuitive behaviours to ensure positive development. Jason insists that his unconventional training methods improve behaviour and create a stronger bond between owner and dog, reports Wales Online.
Five tips to help with instinct training, according to Jason Mayhew
Ditch the lead
Jason says that at the puppy stage, dogs learn to follow you. Allowing a pup off-lead to freely explore its surroundings taps into its natural curiosity, exercises its senses and provides essential physical activity, crucial for their physical and mental well-being as hunters and pack animals.
As trust develops over time, off-lead training also discourages the dog from bolting in real-life situations, he says.
Communicate with sounds and tones
Jasons points out that dogs naturally understand and react to sounds, tones and pitches. Understanding the influence this has on dogs allows owners to better communicate with their pet in a way that aligns with what they understand.
For example, a sudden sharp and singular sound will get attention, a deep and guttural tone is threatening so will help the owner show dominance and a higher pitch tone is a great way to show praise.
Games
Jason says participating in games that mirror natural abilities and fulfil instinctual behaviours caters to a dog’s inherent needs. Simple games like fetch, scatter feeding and hide-and-seek can be introduced, allowing them to utilise their innate scent, tracking and hunting skills, he says.
Engaging in dog play
Jason says interacting with your dog through play mimics the social exchanges dogs have amongst themselves. If conducted in a controlled and positive manner, getting down to a dog’s level and engaging in play where it can exhibit natural behaviours like wrestling, rolling, pouncing and chasing, will foster a stronger bond between owner and pet.
Research
Finally, Jason notes that before buying a dog, potential owners must research the breed to ensure its instincts and suitability align with their family, environment and lifestyle. Owning the right dog involves understanding the owner’s needs and the dog’s drives, instincts and requirements for a healthy, content and fulfilled life, he says.