The number one killer of dogs in North America is attributed to behavioral problems. Not rabies, not parvovirus, not heartworm, not distemper, etc. The answer to the problem would reasonably be to vaccinate against behavior problems. But since scientists have yet to come up with an injection, approaching the problem from another angle will help us help mans best friend. Resulting in a partnership with your dog.

Take a look at the common problems and how dogs perceive them:

Barking- “Only natural, barking is my way of letting you know how I feel”

Chewing- “Only natural, yah! I got teeth”

Separation anxiety- “Only natural because I am a social animal and need to be taught how to be comfortable on my own.”

Unruliness- “Only natural, oh! are there rules in this house? No one told me.”

Digging- “Only natural, just another motor pattern I like to carry through on”

Biting- “Only natural, but wasn’t that cute when I was a pup”

Growling- “Only natural, I used to get everything I wanted when I was a cute puppy”

From the dog’s point of view and supposing he spoke English he may be saying, “ These behaviors are natural to me. I need to learn rules as to: where, when, how, why and what.” Learning to communicate with our four-legged friends is important for them to learn these rules. Just as with children, dogs need our guidance and leadership all through their many stages of development. Although with dogs, our windows of opportunity are much smaller with dogs as they pass through the stages much quicker than humans do. And like children, dogs do not come pre-trained to our requirements.

Communicating with your canine requires finding a balance of leadership and teamwork- without dominating and without giving in to all its furry demands.

True-communication pledge- “I am a human and you are a dog. If you learn to accept some of my human (primate) ways, and since I am the more intelligent of the two of us, I will be one to do the most adjusting/understanding to your (wolf like) ways. I promise to teach you what I expect of you throughout your life with me.”

It is unnatural for humans to act as canids, we need some dog savvy, and that is what dog classes provide you with. They could be called “a way of life for you and your dog.” To succeed, they must be based on: your personality, your dog’s personality, your expectations, the dog’s intelligence and genetics (breeding).

What is the “vaccination for this number 1 killer? Training for you and your dog.