Dogs are probably the most loved animal on the planet. That unconditional love is hard to resist, which explains the seemingly insane lengths people will go to in caring for their canine family members. Unfortunately, many dog owners don’t invest the time to really understand their pet, and this can lead to some unhappy situations. Let’s take some time to understand a few helpful tips that will guide you in understanding your dog better and make for more enjoyable times spent with your furry family member.
My Dog is Happy; Don’t You See Her Wagging Tail?
Probably the most common misconception about dog behavior is that a wagging tail means a happy dog. While it certainly can, it’s not quite that simple. In fact, tail-wagging behavior is fascinating and can mean quite different things.
A wagging tail is generally a sign of excitement. That can mean happy, but it can also mean agitated and positioning for defense or attack. Experts in dog behavior believe that a tail wagging more to the left means something different from a tail wagging more to the right. Also, a wagging tail by itself is not providing the full picture. Things like the position of the ears and the stance help paint a full picture of what is going on in your best friend’s mind. The bottom line is, don’t assume your dog is happy and friendly just because their tail is wagging. And if you really want to get to know your dog, do some research into this interesting area.
Stop! Shush! Stop That Barking!
So, you’re out for a walk on a sunny, pleasant day when your pooch spots another dog and that sets off a barking frenzy. For many, if not most people, the response is to yell at the dog to stop. Have you ever seen this work? Not likely. In your dog’s mind, you’ve joined right in. Now you’re both barking at the potential threat. The result is exactly the opposite of what you intended. A better course of action would be to speak in a calm voice and use a distraction technique. If you’re not familiar with these methods, there are some great books available, or maybe even enrolling in a reputable canine training program will be a worthwhile investment.
Old-School Training Techniques
A good dog trainer cringes when they hear someone talk in terms of old-school training techniques. “Rubbing their nose in it” or using physical aggression to try to encourage better behavior are horrible ideas.
In modern times there’s been a great deal of learning in the field of animal behavior. One of the simplest and most valuable lessons learned is that positive reinforcement is the best, and should be the only method, used to encourage first-rate behavior from your dog. This can take patience in the beginning but will pay off handsomely as you see results. It will also make you the envy of many dog owners who don’t invest the time to train their pets.
My Dog Is Friendly
It takes two to tango. Just because one dog is friendly doesn’t mean all the other dogs are friendly. A friendly dog, when all excited to be off-leash and around other canines, may be inclined to charge up to another dog. While well-meaning, a reactive dog will not respond well when charged and bad things can happen. And, for plenty of members of the dog community, it won’t even take a charge to ignite a response. Simply getting close to them or their owner can incite aggression. If you’re not in an off-leash park, keep your dog tethered and under control at all times. Leash laws are in place for a reason.
In a Word
Dogs can be very smart. Studies have shown that many dogs learn more than 150 words. Particularly clever ones can develop an understanding of up to 250. That’s impressive. However, the typical English-speaking human understands roughly 20,000 words and seems to believe their dogs do as well. This can be fine when you’re just hanging out with your fur buddy since they’re just registering your tone and mood rather than a specific message. It doesn’t work well if you’re aiming for an actual result.
To clearly communicate a command to your dog, it is best to keep it as short as possible. One word is ideal. “Sit” is clear. “Now Betsy, what are you doing? Will you just sit over there on your new blanket and stop making such a fuss? Go now. Do what you’re told” is much less likely to have the desired effect.
Quality Time
Taking the time to learn a little more about dog behavior can truly enrich your relationship with your canine family member. The time spent training can be some of the most rewarding hours spent together, and your dog will enjoy it as much as you will. With busy, modern lives, it’s even more important to put a little time into training. In the long run, it can take some of the bumps out of your day, and spending time with your dog will be a source of relaxation and enjoyment.