Over the years I have come to realise that words such as ‘discipline’ or ‘punish’ are only applicable where a moral intelligence exists, meaning a capability of discriminating between right or wrong.
The canine mind is not designed to produce feelings of shame, guilt and embarrassment, among others. The structure controlling functional dog behaviour is a pack hierarchy, or pecking order. Therefore a dog’s body language can only indicate dominant or submissive behaviour and it is impossible for dogs or puppies to draw any other conclusion.
However, because humans do not have this ability, canine body language is often misinterpreted. For instance, when my pet approaches me with tail erect and wagging, it must be happy or glad to see me. Or tail down with ears drawn back, indicates submission. Many people believe the latter occurs when we `reprimand’ our pets after the commission of an ‘offence’.
When dogs raise their tails with ears forward, it indicates a dominant state of mind. The antithesis would then mean that, lowered or curled tail with ears drawn back, is a submissive mindset. I have shown many people examples of video footage where dogs can be seen wagging tails, baring teeth and growling, all at the same time. Logically, this cannot be perceived as being ‘happy’.
One of the saddest aspects of human/canine relationships is that people become angry when dogs ‘misbehave’. Even worse, it may result in physical violence being directed at pets via beating, kicking or throwing objects. The perpetrator may feel better in the moment, but the reality is that one might then just as well hold sixteen-month-old children accountable for their behaviour. The actions, or reactions, of our dogs will always be the result of an environment that we control.
It is impossible to accord a sense of wrong-doing in the absence of a moral quotient. A dog’s sense of value and appreciation is vastly different to ours. That which we hold dear, or care for, will often be insignificant to the canine mind. When our intention is to reprimand or discipline, a dog may sense danger and, depending on the intensity, could resort to baring teeth, or worse, attack. Human emotions of anger, frustration or irritation are meaningless to dogs. In such situations it is therefore impossible to expect them to experience a guilty conscience. Canine behaviour can only be re-shaped, or modified, and to achieve this quickly and permanently, without creating more problems, it is essential to address the mind, not the body.
Please contact Steve or your vet’s practice should you have any behavioural concerns. Steve van Staden is a canine behaviour specialist and can be contacted via www.dogtorsteve.co.za
Advice is only dispensed in face-to-face meetings with owners and their pets.
