A leading dog expert with a quarter of a century of experience is urging UK pet owners to radically rethink how they raise their canine companions, claiming that common practices are fundamentally wrong.
The Problem with Modern Dog Ownership
Jason Mayhew, a world champion gundog trainer with 25 years in the field, argues that the modern trend of pampering pets and treating them like children is creating behavioural issues. He insists that dogs are not people, and forcing human expectations on them ignores their core animal instincts.
Mayhew, who has appeared on television programmes such as Britain's Favourite Top 100 Dogs and James Martin's British Adventure, believes his methods, which some may find "crazy", are key to improving behaviour and forging a deeper, more positive connection between owner and dog.
Five Key Tips for Instinct Training
Jason Mayhew's approach focuses on tapping into a dog's natural behaviours in a controlled way. Here are his five essential tips for owners looking to improve their dog training techniques.
1. Ditch the Lead
Mayhew advocates for supervised off-lead time, especially during the puppy stage. This allows a dog to freely explore, satisfying its natural curiosity and providing crucial physical and mental exercise. He states that this builds trust and actually discourages the dog from bolting in real-world situations later on.
2. Communicate with Sounds and Tones
Since dogs naturally understand and react to vocal cues, owners should leverage different sounds. A sharp, singular sound grabs attention, a deep guttural tone establishes dominance, and a higher pitch is perfect for praise, aligning communication with what the dog instinctively understands.
3. Play Instinctual Games
Engaging in games that mirror natural abilities fulfils a dog's inherent needs. Simple activities like fetch, scatter feeding, and hide-and-seek allow them to use their innate scent, tracking, and hunting skills, making play both fun and mentally stimulating.
4. Engage in Dog Play
Getting down to your dog's level and engaging in controlled play—such as gentle wrestling, rolling, and chasing—mimics social interactions between dogs. Mayhew says this positive interaction is powerful for strengthening the bond between pet and owner.
5. Research Before You Buy
The final, crucial step happens before a dog is even brought home. Mayhew emphasises that potential owners must research the breed thoroughly to ensure its natural instincts and requirements align with their family, lifestyle, and living environment for a healthy and content life together.
A New Path for Pet Owners
Jason Mayhew's core message is that owners have forgotten dogs are animals. By understanding and working with a pet's natural and intuitive behaviours, rather than being overprotective, we can ensure their positive development and build a more harmonious relationship.
His unconventional instinct training methods may challenge conventional wisdom, but they promise a path to a happier, better-behaved pet and a more fulfilled owner.
