From obedience training and aggression to social behavior and introducing your dog to a new baby, this article teaches you how to live in harmony with your dog.
Are you new to dog ownership? Have you owned dogs previously but are having problems or a personality conflict with your present dog? If so, you aren’t alone. The tips in this article will give you a better understanding of how to live in harmony with your dog.
Learn Your Dog’s Body Language
Get to know your dog, just as you’d learn to know a new friend. Spend time with him. Play with him. This will allow you to anticipate and prevent aggression toward other dogs and people. Pay special attention to behavior changes as your dog ages, particularly any shift from dog friendly to dog aggressive.
Obedience Train Your Dog
Taking part in obedience training will allow you to keep your dog under control in all circumstances. Remember, just because your dog graduates, he doesn’t know it all, nor neither do you. You must continue training throughout your dog’s life. He must be continually reminded that you are the leader of the “pack,” and always the one in control. Your dog will test his boundaries, so be prepared. Always be consistent in what you expect of him. You can’t allow him to lie on the sofa one day and to stay off it the next. He is either allowed on the sofa, or he is not. There’s no in between. He must know the rules or he cannot be expected to obey them.
Research Your Dog’s Breed
Learn the history of your dog’s breed and why the original breed was developed. For instance, Alaskan malamutes were originally bred as working dogs. They hauled loads and pulled dog sleds. Some breeds were developed for search and rescue, like the Saint Bernard. German Shepherds were bred as guard dogs. Pit bulls were bred for dog fights. Whatever the breed of your dog, his breed was originally developed for a purpose.
How to Break up a Dog Fight
If the unthinkable should happen and you have to break up a dog fight, remain calm and prepare to break it up swiftly and safely for the benefit of both the dogs and yourself. It’s easy to be bitten attempting to break up two snarling, biting dogs. It is wise to carry parting stick if you will be walking in an area where dogs run off leash.