The Siberian Husky, the Shiba Inu, the Basenji or even the Akita Inu... These primitive dogs, often appreciated for their physique, can present a challenge in terms of learning and behavior management.
The reason ?
They don't react like other dogs.
To discover
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Are primitive dogs more difficult to train?
Primitive dogs are known to be more difficult to train, but that's not entirely fair.
These dogs, very little genetically modified, have retained their
“
primary instincts
”
, which allow them to survive in the wild.
They therefore reason differently from other dogs.
Paul is the owner of Picasso, a charming Shiba inu, aged 4 and a half years.
“
He is physically handsome, he
looks like a fox
.
He is endearing and independent.
He likes to be in his bubble and chooses the moments when he leaves it.
He doesn't give himself to cuddles like that.
He is reserved, he needs to know people.
You have to gain his trust to enter his circle, but then you are in his pack!”
.
Exuberant with affection at times, he can be stubborn, reveals Paul.
“It’s complicated to make him do something he doesn’t want to do.
He has his ideas about things.”
The master points out that the Shiba is not docile like other dogs
.
“We have to negotiate,
” he explains.
After a while, you understand it.
I try to respect his rhythm, I anticipate what he doesn’t like.”
This very intelligent breed of dog knows how to show what it wants.
“
He steals an object
to make trades: it is not stealing for the sake of stealing, but it is a currency of exchange for him.
To get a
treat
for example.
He knows how to do business!”
But he's not a stuffed dog, Paul warns.
Did you know ?
The Shiba inu hunts in Japan in an ancestral way.
It is an endemic breed, selected by nature.
This also explains his strong temperament.
Abdel Najib, a dog trainer specializing in primitive dogs, confirms that Shibas were not selected for their affection and docility towards humans.
“If an owner tends to like his dog to be docile, servile, he might as well opt for a
Malinois.
With a Shiba, you negotiate like with a 15-year-old teenager!”
Primitive dogs are independent thinkers and ignorance of this quality is at the origin of the educational difficulties encountered by some owners.
As they are intelligent dogs, they learn quickly but need the owner to be consistent in the rules given.
Likewise, you should not give him very high value treats for simple behaviors.
“
A primitive dog wants to work with man but not for man
,” explains Margaux Rieu, dog trainer at Primitif Addict.
They are considered uncooperative because they do not blindly and unconditionally obey their master.
Thus, according to the educator, a Shiba will not necessarily retrieve a ball thrown into the water by its master if it has no desire to go swimming.
While a breed of shepherd may go into the water to retrieve the ball just to please its master.
Did you know ?
So-called primitive dogs are
very sensitive
and absorb emotions.
They know how to read their master extremely well: “My human is not sure of himself, neither am I!”
What are the communication signals of primitive dogs?
Another important point to know about primitive dogs: they are 80% focused on the environment and 20% on the master.
Fear or anxiety among primitive people can be explained in particular because they perceive “frightening” stimuli more easily.
They have an increased perception of dangers or threats (approach of another dog for example).
It is therefore necessary to know the canine communication signals of these somewhat unusual dogs.
A primitive actually expresses signs of discomfort when he:
turn your head
licks his lips
freezes, stops moving
growls
when the white of his eye appears
If the owner does not perceive these signs and does not resolve the problem that is bothering the animal, then the dog may become aggressive or even bite.
For example, these dogs are particularly sensitive to handling.
As they are naturally suspicious of contact, these are sources of anxiety or fear for them.
They are therefore often complicated (cleaning the ears, etc.).
Also, if they growl or howl, you should stop handling them immediately.
But they can become easier if the masters get them used to them.
Good to know
Growing is often punished by the master.
However, it is an important indicator.
Abdel Najib emphasizes the importance of obtaining the animal's consent.
For a caress, for example, have a little ritual with your hands positioned in a certain way.
The dog knows that this means being petted.
He will only come closer if he wants to be cuddled.
Behavioral problems, such as aggression, are often linked to forced or inappropriate contact, petting on the head (primitives don't like it at all) or handling by the veterinarian.
But for the trainer specializing in primitive dogs Margaux Rieu, their origin also often comes from a problem of fear and misunderstanding.
These primitive dogs are extremely sensitive to their environment, to rude dogs, to insistent humans, to stressful situations... “
The primitive dog is sensitive and does not leave much room for error in its human”
summarizes Margaux Rieu.
What are the tips for a successful education?
Margaux Rieu, herself the owner of 3 Shibas, notes that the primitive dog “
above all seeks the right effort/reward ratio
”.
In its natural environment, it will not run 20 km for a small prey.
“
The effort has to be worth it!”
He's not going there for nothing.
This way of thinking is often resented by owners who perceive a lack of motivation for their requests
.”
But we must not lose sight of the fact that they are intelligent dogs.
“
They know how to run their boat!
“, she warns.
So, with a primitive, the master must adopt another way of thinking and acting.
“
You have to take it as it is,”
says Abdel Najib.
A Husky is adapted to the far north, he has the call of the great outdoors in him.
If you don't like running, don't get this breed of dog."
This animal actually needs to run 2 hours a day.
If he does not have respect for what he was created for, insists the educator, this will create discomfort and he will not listen to his master.
Margaux Rieu finally advises the owner of a primitive dog to understand that these dog breeds have very
little resilience.
The owner can very easily break their trust.
She explains that as these dogs mark a lot, you only need to pull 3 times too hard on the collar to permanently restrain the dog.
3 golden rules for a successful education
Abdel Najib recommends observing 3 golden rules: quality rather than quantity, care first time and the importance of reciprocity.
Prioritize quality over quantity
“
It is better for your dog to have fewer experiences in his day but for each one to be of good quality
.”
Example: meeting only 3 dogs with whom things go well rather than 10 dogs with whom things go badly.
The first time counts more than all the others
The first time a primitive dog is exposed to a new situation (a new dog or a new person), the experience will matter much more than the others that come afterwards.
He will remember it.
This first time won't make him want you again forever if it went wrong.
The dog trainer advises a person who is meeting the family puppy for the first time, for example, to give him treats (fresh cheese, ham).
“
It will mark his mind in a good way, even if the next time this person doesn’t give him anything
.”
Conversely, if grandpa, for example, discovers the dog for the first time and steps on its paws, the primitive will associate this bad experience with this person and it will stick... as well as for all individuals who resemble to grandpa!
Think about reciprocity
It’s give and take.
Always ask yourself: is the dog benefiting?
Margaux Rieu illustrates the point of reciprocity with the example of her dog Shiba, when she is in the garden.
“
If I call her and she doesn’t want to come home, she won’t move.
But the question to ask myself is: do I really need her to come in or not?
If she can stay outside, then I leave her in the garden.
That way, if I really need her to come home, I tell her “you’re coming home”.
Like the other times, she was not forced to come home, she is coming this time because she has to and knows it
.
» We must not think unilaterally, points out the educator, but ask ourselves if as a teacher, I do not ask difficult things too often.
Good to know
If you want to reduce your dog's behavioral problems, you must respect his
physical needs
(once a week, 2 to 4 hours outing in the woods, forests) his
mental needs
(mental occupation toys to keep him occupied during your absence) and his
social needs
(seeing his friends regularly during the week).
You can do many things with a primitive dog, even agility, but you have to know how to make it do it.
A shiba will not do a perfect recall like another dog can.
As Abdel Najib sums it up very well: “
It’s like a car, there are all kinds of cars: 4X4s, family cars, classic cars, etc.
They all have 4 wheels and a steering wheel but fundamentally they are not made for the same thing.
It's the same for dogs!
»