SkellyWags Dog Training Kent

Bert’s Friday Blog.

“It’s that time of the week again for my Friday blog, its been a busy week As Dad and I have been filming content for some new course material…oops I was asked not to mention that! We better dive straight into my blog. Don’t let on you know about the filming!

Let’s have a chat about something a bit juicy today, shall we? I’m talking relationships, not the kind where you share your sausages (though I wouldn’t say no). I mean the real, deep, tail-wagging, soul nudging kind of relationship between us dogs and humans.

Now I know what some telly trainers say: “Be the pack leader!” “Show ‘em who’s boss!” or “Make ‘em submit!”
But let me tell you if someone said that about their relationship, you’d be worried, wouldn’t you?

So let’s set the record straight, from a dog who knows a thing or two, the best relationships are built on trust, not control.

The love hormone.

Did you know that when you gaze into your dog’s eyes (don’t stare as some of us dogs are a bit scared of that), your brain releases oxytocin the same hormone that bonds mums and babies?
Guess what? So does ours! That’s right your dog’s brain gives a lovely little oxytocin squirt when we’re connected with you in a safe, loving way. I’d call that scientific proof we’re not out to dominate you we’re wired to bond with you.

Emotional Sponges

We’re not just furry shadows we feel you, literally. Studies show dogs can read human facial expressions, mirror your emotions, and pick up on your stress before you even know what’s going on.
So when you’re anxious, we feel it. When you’re calm, we can relax. That’s not a dominance hierarchy, that’s coexisting. We’re emotional support in four legs and a tail.

Myth Busted: “Dogs Need to Know Their Place”

Ugh. That old chestnut.
The idea that we’re all secretly planning a canine coup if you let us on the sofa is outdated nonsense. 

This idea that we’re trying to “dominate” you came from a dodgy study on captive wolves in the ’70s. Wolves in zoos were thrown together with no real family ties no wonder they scrapped! But even they don’t run around trying to overthrow the sofa monarchy.

Real wolves the ones in the wild live in family groups. Mums, dads, and pups. It’s not a dictatorship; it’s a team a family unit.

Humans already control where we sleep, what we eat, when we eat, when and where we go out and so much more, I think we dogs are a very tolerant species to put up with that!

And us dogs? We’re not wolves. We’ve spent thousands of years evolving alongside humans, we look to you for guidance, not control, for friendship, not fear

We’re not testing you. We’re not plotting your downfall because we walked ahead on the lead or slept on your pillow. We’re just being dogs, sniffing, playing, learning and hoping  more than anything that you’ll meet us halfway.

Bert’s Tip

The next time your dog “ignores you”, pause and ask:
“Does my dog feel safe, heard, and understood?” “Was it clear what you asked”
Because connection isn’t built in the moment we do the required behaviour, it’s built in every moment you choose to respect us.

Go on give us a scratch behind the ear, tell us you love us, and maybe drop a biscuit or two. We’re not trying to be the boss. We just want to be your best mate.

Woof and respect,
Bert 🐾

See that handsome chat in the photo, well that is my mate Prince. Prince has a best friend and its a hedgehog, thats right a hedgehog and that relationship is built on trust, otherwise that friendship would not work. Check them out enjoying some scatter feeding!