Understanding Dog Behavior

Dog behavior doesn’t need to be a mystery.  Every breed of dog, no matter how large or small has the wolf as their ancestor. The wolf ancestry drives our furry companions in their daily behavior just as if they were wolves.  In fact most behaviors can usually be traced back to pack order.  Pack order is the standing of a member in a group.  Dogs need to know exactly where they stand, and will test boundaries often.

Aggressive behavior occurs when a dog is asserting their dominance.  Be it over food, a kong, or even a person. 

Curbing bad behavior is attained by setting clear boundaries for your dog.  They want to know their place in your family pack.  It is important to communicate clearly with your canine.  If you sometimes let your dog on the couch and sometimes you don’t, then you are sending a very mixed signal to your dog.  This will cause great frustration for your pet.  Set the boundaries and keep to them.  Your dog will be glad to know where they stand.

Common behavior problems dog owners have vary from home to home.  Feeding time is where many problems occur.  Feed your dog after your family has eaten.  The pack leader always eats first, by feeding your dog before you and your family is a clear way to tell your dog he’s the boss.  Most dogs will begin to get increasingly pushy at dinner time be it by over assertive begging or barking.

Some owners complain of their dogs mounting them.  This is your dogs way of letting you know they own you.  They are alpha (the leader of the pack) and you are omega (the low ranking member of the pack).  Mounting should never be encouraged - it may look funny to see your small dog hump a guest, but you are sending your dog the absolute wrong message.  When this action occurs you should react right away in a language your dog will understand.  Try pinning your dog.  This entails lying your dog on it’s back with it’s chest facing upwards. Hold your dog down by it’s upper chest/neck area (this is how dogs show domination - it’s how every dogs mother has put them back in line).  While gently but firmly holding your dog down they will most likely yelp and carrying on.  Do not fall for this.  It’s their way of throwing a temper tantrum.  No one likes to be dethroned and they will tell you so.  Hold them in this position until they calm down and avert their eyes from you.  Once you achieve this you will have established dominance and will be recognized as the new alpha.  If you let go during the tantrum you have just lost and will remain omega.

Communicate with your dog in a way they will understand.  Never hit your dog, this tells your dog absolutely nothing other than to fear you. 

Hitting your dog is never the right thing to do.  If you find yourself calling and chasing your dog around the yard or neighborhood for hours and finally catch them do not hit them.  If you do you are simply telling them that by coming to you they are sure to get hit.  I wouldn’t come to you either, would you?  Instead try the reel method.  Go outside with your dog on a leash (I like the flexi retractable leads for this) let your dog walk out to the end of the leash then call them.  Do not repeat your command.  Simply start reeling them in like a big fish.  Once reeled in give them great praise (even if they pulled and fought the whole way).  After praising them let them go back out to the end of the lead and call them again.  Repeat this every time you and your pet go for a walk.  Soon they will be coming right when you call them.  Much nicer than screaming and chasing them around.

Treat your pet with kindness. If want a happy and well adjusted member of the family be good to your dog and he/she will be good to you.

Spend time with your furry friend.  Enjoy your time together, go hiking or take a class - be active with your dog.  There are classes for anything you could think of.  There are obedience classes (both beginner and advanced),  agility classes, clicker training, flyball, dancing, and even doga (yoga with your dog). If you have an interest in any activity, you can bet there is a class out there for you and your companion.