Whether you own an adult dog, a pup, or your pet an elderly stranger’s dog, it helps to know that dogs have personalities, just like humans. At times even the easiest, affable pet requires a break from gruff pats, licks, and occasional nudges. If you’re going to treat your four-legged friend this way, Cozy Crates will help you to know what breeds of dogs handle such behaviour so you can take precautions to avoid getting hurt or scaring your dog off. Below are some of the most common dog personality traits and the problems they can cause if left unchecked.
Yes, there’s a correct and incorrect way to pet a puppy. Unfortunately, most just dive in headfirst or just meet a puppy that they think may be the perfect pet for them. So, how can you pet a dog properly and know how to read his subtle body language to tell if he’s okay with petting? Here’s a short article on how you can learn how to pet a dog without hurting him or her…
The Most Dangerous Emotion for Dogs is Fear.
This can be a particularly serious problem for elderly or frightened dogs because their fear can manifest itself as aggression. Aggression can include snarling, biting, and lunging, so you’ll need to teach your dog to relax and stay away from potential danger. Your first step in this direction should probably be to make your pet’s personal space very safe. You could do this by taking him out to the yard regularly and by making his personal space as secure as possible.
Many dogs like to mark their territory. If you decide to let your pet roam freely after he has established his personal space, you may encounter him checking out other dogs, or he may insist on going where he wants to go. To minimize this problem, confine your pet to a crate during his training sessions. As long as he can keep himself contained, he’ll be happier and less likely to cause a scene.
Dogs are like companions.
They crave interaction, especially with a partner, so the earlier you start socializing your pets with each other, the better. This is especially true for older dogs that may have problems interacting with children or with other dogs.
In general, dogs get along well with all of the people they come into contact with, but they have more problems forming bonds with unfamiliar people and animals. Establishing bonds early is important for the health and well being of your pet.
- How to Pet a Dog involves observing your dog’s body language and reactions to you.
- If your dog shows any sign that he is uncomfortable or shy, avoid physical contact until those feelings subside. Pat your pet on the back or play a soothing game with him, such as patting the head or licking him.
- Watch for his body language, such as how he holds his ears, how he stands or sits, etc.
- He may not have any reaction when touched on the back but may become excited or even fearful when touched on the front or the legs.
Mistakes people do in petting a dog
One of the biggest mistakes many first-time dog owners make is leaving their dogs in a large crate. Although it sounds like good practice, it can create a bad situation for both the dog and the owner of the dog gets used to being alone in a crate all the time. Many dogs like the security of being in a crate, but don’t like being left alone in a crate all day. So, for example, if you plan to leave your dog in a crate for the day, only take him out after dinner and remove him at bedtime, otherwise, he will be used to being alone all day long and may develop a fear of being alone.
Many dogs act anxiously when someone approaches them and try to touch them, whether it be with the hand or arm. If you notice this behaviour when you are trying to pet your dog, avoid direct eye contact with the other person. This can either cause the dog to become afraid and/or anxious or simply appear nervous when around others. Also, when someone approaches the dog, be sure to look him in the eyes and say “no” firmly, so that he knows his boundaries have been crossed.
Conclusion
Finally, dogs love cuddling. However, there are times when dogs just don’t want to be cuddled. You can pet your dog by rubbing his belly or back. Be sure not to stimulate him too much, however, as he may not be ready for that. Avoid touching him, because some dogs may be frightened by that.