PERCH is purpose, energy, respect, connection and health
Do not assume that your dog is less intelligent than a human. A dog’s intelligence is different. Unlike humans, their thoughts and actions have no ulterior motive. Dogs are very honest, if they are behaving in a certain manner it is probably an honest reaction to what they are perceiving.
“Do as I say and not as I do.” This is a phrase we have all heard at least once in our lives but with dogs it’s truly the opposite. They’ll do what they see you do not what you tell them to. Much like what likely happens with a mother who smokes but tells her child not to, this advice falls on deaf ears.
Purpose
Dogs see things in black and white, both literally and figuratively. If a dog feels that you are not doing the job of a parent or leader, she may likely try to take over that role. Think about a school bus driver sitting in the driver’s seat with a bus full of middle schoolers. If the bus driver get out of the bus and walks away, one of those students may get in the driver’s seat and attempt to drive the bus. When you drop the proverbial ball (or steering wheel), don’t be surprised if your dog grabs that ball and runs with it. Think about your own purpose as a parent or elder sibling and imagine that your job is to care for those younger or weaker than you. If you are entrusted with responsibility to provide for a child’s needs and protecting them from harm, then you accept responsibility for that very weighty job.
How many times have you heard a child being told, or perhaps you as a child were told, “Go to your room!”. Unfortunately, that may not necessarily the best way to handle a misbehaving child or teenager. You are essentially telling them, “Go to the room that I legally have to pay for until you turn 18.” We love our kids and we love our pets, but we are the ones who have the responsibility for what we have worked hard for. We want our children and our pets to enjoy what we have given them, but those things belong to us and not to them. That is why dogs and children technically own nothing unless they’ve earned it for themselves. Your dog cannot protect something he does not own. He doesn’t own his bed, bowl or toys. If a human or other animal approaches, he should not feel like he has to protect what he doesn’t own. It is the human’s responsibility to take care of the needs of his family, and to protect the family. Any human should be lovingly above every pet.
Energy
Your energy affects your dog’s behavior just as your dog’s energy affects your own. Other humans, pets and even environmental factors, can impact your dog’s energy. The energy we are discussing is not a mystical, magical concept but rather the way in which you can either reflect your dog’s excitement and hyperactive moments or to calm that moment. Think of yourself as a mirror. If you walk into a room with chaos and you reflect that chaos back by yelling and screaming or crying then you are exacerbating the unstable energy in the room, much like what occurs in an emergency room when a critical patient is brought in for treatment. We would hope that the doctors and emergency room staff would be calm and reassuring rather than screaming, shouting and running around frantically. Calm energy helps ease a stressful situation. We call this the spiral of energy™ effect. If the dog is barking or anxious, then he begins to spiral. But if we are able to calm the situation by remaining unflappable and behaving in a confident manner, the dog will look at us and begin to mirror our calm and confident energy. However, if we also behave in an unstable and erratic manner, then the dog will continue on that upward spiral until everyone is out of control and the behavior has been exacerbated.
Respect
Garnering your pet’s respect does not mean that have to be a tyrant. It means that you are his provider and protector. Your dog trusts and respects you in the same way we respect our parents and grandparents. We need to show them in a very kind and reassuring manner that we are protecting them so they do not need to feel fearful or protective themselves. Do you remember as a child, the feeling of being safe and sound in mom or dad’s arms? Projecting that feeling of safety is being a truly good leader.
Think of yourself as being your dog’s boss but you are a very kind boss. You are not dominant, mean or demanding. Your pet’s respect is not something you can demand, but rather command. Respect is something the dog will learn to give you as it sees you providing for and protecting it. Losing your temper, yelling or being overly stern only breaks down respect and trust. Also, be careful not to reward with food or praise when a dog is in a fearful or unstable state of mind. A child can understand when a mother says, “Honey it’s ok, it’s only a thunderstorm and we are safe.” A dog in a fearful state will only sense the comforting tone of that sentence and learn that it is ok for him to be calm. Reinforcing fear or dominance or aggression by saying “it’s ok” – tends to exacerbate rather than eliminate it.
Connection
Connection is chemistry. Connection is why we love our dogs and it is a concept that is abstract yet very concrete in our hearts and souls. It goes much deeper when we relate it back to animals and why some of us, particularly those who are very social and outgoing, seek the love and connection of a pet. Dogs NEED us as much as we NEED them.
Connection is built on trust and respect. Think about the people you feel closest to. Do you trust them? Do you respect them? We generally do not respect someone we do not trust and generally do not trust someone we do not respect.
Health
Health encompasses genetics as well as environmental factors. The health of your pet, much like that of humans, is determined at birth to a large degree. When dogs are born, they have a predisposition to health conditions, diseases, and general temperament. Environment can certainly help or hurt this process, but genetics are unmistakably at the foundation of most health concerns.
Think about completing a new patient form at your doctor’s office. What are some of the common questions? History of heart disease, stroke, diabetes? Certainly, genetics plays a huge part in our health. It also plays a huge part in your dog’s health.
So, how can you set your dog up for success and long healthy life? Start out the right way. Do not patronize pet stores and backyard breeders who care not about your new puppy. Virtually all “designer” breeds come from parents with no genetic or health testing, and most likely poor genetics to begin with. There is no reputable AKC Breeder of Merit who would ever breed their grand champion show dog to a grand champion show dog of another breed to create designer puppies. Similarly, no grand champion show dog breed would breed to a pet store puppy to make mixed breeds. By very definition again, most designer puppies start out behind the proverbial eightball. Temperament is also a function of genetics and also of development.
Regardless of where you have acquired your puppy or dog, treat him or her right and get the best you can afford for your dog. Don’t skimp on items such as food or vitamins, as they are the staple of life that will enhance or detract from your dog’s ability to thrive. Even a dog with weak genetics can live longer and healthier when receiving the proper diet and exercise.
