A few years ago, it was easier for dogs “to just be dogs”. Did you ever get told as a child “let sleeping dogs lie”! If you think about this for a moment does this mean we had more respect for dogs just being ‘dogs’?
Fast forward a decade and huge advances in the science behind learning and now we have almost unreasonably high expectations of them, the quest for “the perfect dog”. We’re expecting our dogs to act less dog, and more human, Why?
The more time and dogs I work with, the more I’ve come to realise that there’s no such thing as a “perfect dog”. Each owner has a different idea of how their dog should be, just as each mother has a different expectation of their child! and as so they are all perfect for their owners! It’s our understanding of innate behaviours that is unrealistic. When a dog does something that is not liked by its owner it’s not because they are showing off, or trying to teach them a lesson, it’s because in their doggy brain it’s the right thing to do at the moment, there is little more planning than that…
That’s not to say that if your dog has reactions that are making your life a little difficult, we just have to accept them there are ways to work with them to make things easier for you and your dog. 
The message I have is Love your dog and have fun, Don’t worry about what other people think in all honesty we all have little problems with our dogs. If you have a  “difficult” dog, it can often seem like the whole world is judging you, but in reality, most people are too concerned with their own dog is doing to even notice!
Just because their dog isn’t barking and recalls to their first command, does not mean they haven’t howled at the wind all night or eaten three sofas in the last 6 months. 

If you need advice on training or behaviour please contact http://www.facebook.com/doghampton

or call 07966 649676