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.
Surroundings
When you are walking or hiking with your dog, pay special attention to your surroundings. Then, balance your dog’s needs with the needs of those around you whether they are humans or other canines. This means using the pooper scooper, keeping your dog in hand so he won’t jump up when greeted by people and avoiding aggressive dogs that are not on a lead.
Be Brave
Develop a thick skin. There will be times when people will make rude comments about your dog. Ignore them. They may be intoxicated or itching for a fight. Some people make remarks about dogs to push the owner into an argument. Once that happens, they will become aggressive toward you. Move on and try to avoid these people in the future.
People and Your Dog
Try to understand that not everyone in the world loves dogs. Some people have had bad experiences. Others are deathly afraid of specific breeds, or even all breeds. Assure them your dog is friendly (if he is) and invite them to interact. If they decline, that’s fine, but sometimes, especially if they think your dog is beautiful, you can help them to overcome their fears.
Aggression Toward Humans
Any sign of aggression toward humans is cause for great concern. Reprimand immediately. Aggression of this type is comparative to waving a red flag in front of a bull. Make an appointment for you and your dog to consult with a “breed experienced” professional dog behaviorist or trainer.
Exercise
Exercise your dog daily to allow him to get rid of pent up energy. A brisk walk twice a day usually keeps a dog well within his limits. Today, many cities have fenced-in dog parks where your dog can run, play and socialize off leash.
Leash Laws
Some laws were made to be broken, but not this one. Always respect and obey the leash laws in your community. This can save you a hefty fine. Leash laws are made to protect you, your dog, and the general public.
Socializing
Take your dog out into your community and let him interact with humans while he’s still a puppy. Let him play with kids; introduce him to seniors and people of different cultures. Teach him to love everyone that will offer him a kind word or give him a pat on the head.
Be sure to introduce your dog to a wide variety of canine breeds. Make friends with dogs in our neighborhood or at the local dog park. Obedience school is a way to meet other dogs and their owners. Dogs should be supervised by their owners at all times, to ensure that play never turns to aggression. Separate the dogs if they can’t be watched at all times. Everyone, including humans benefit from supervised socialization. If your dog becomes aggressive, leash him and let him mingle under your control. He will soon learn that he can only be off leash if he displays the appropriate behavior.
Neuter/Spay
Neuter or spay your dog to curb territorial aggression. This also prevents litters of unwanted pups and helps to prevent your dog from roaming the neighborhood. All breeds of dogs are more passive once they are neutered or spayed and it makes life much easier for the owner, who happens to be you. Having a dog is a life long commitment. Dogs are living, breathing creatures that have feelings, not a toy that can be tossed into a corner and forgotten. Yes, dogs are a lot of work and a lot of responsibility, but you will reap more than your fair share of rewards in the love, affection, loyalty, devotion and companionship that your dog will provide in return.
Dogs and New Babies
You’re expecting your first baby. The nursery is ready, your suitcase is packed for a midnight trip to the hospital, the doctor’s phone number is beside the phone, and you and your spouse are excited about the big day. But… what about Buddy? He’s been in your family for a few years and is used to having lots of attention. Have you given any thought to how he will react when Baby comes home from the hospital?
How your Dog views Baby
Dogs find babies confusing and invasive. This wee, wiggling bundle suddenly appears in Buddy’s home and to add to the confusion, it appears this tiny human is superior to him in the pack’s pecking order.
Dominant Behavior
Before Buddy gets the message that he is low dog in the pack, he may display dominant behavior toward Baby. Watch for aggressive behavior, such as laid back ears, growling, crouching and snapping. If, previous to Baby’s arrival in the pack, you and Buddy were closely bonded, he may withdraw or become depressed and stop eating. This is a sign that he is having negative feelings about the new pack member. Watch him closely.
Introducing your Dog to Baby
Allow Buddy to enter Baby’s room before he comes home from the hospital. Let Buddy explore, sniff the furniture, crib and blankets. If you plan on using baby powder, apply a small amount to your hand and let Buddy become familiar with the scent. If possible, take a piece of Baby’s clothing to the hospital, let him wear it or lie on it for several hours, then bring it home to familiarize buddy with Baby’s scent. Once Baby comes home, allow Buddy in Baby’s room only when you are tending to Baby.
Never pull Baby away from Buddy. Allow him to sniff Baby. If you snatch Baby away every time Buddy approaches, Buddy will begin to consider Baby a threat. This is something you don’t want to do because it will make Buddy more aggressive toward Baby.
Your Dog Needs Attention
Spend as much time as possible with Buddy. Remember, he was once the center of attention. Now, Baby has taken over that role. Take Buddy for regular walks. If you had a time schedule before Baby’s arrival, try to stick with it. Play a game of ball, fetch, or any games that you played with Buddy in the past. Give Buddy the same amount of attention now, as you did before Baby arrived, if at all possible. Be sure to spend this time with Buddy one-on-one.
Buddy may never get used to Baby. Like humans, some dogs just don’t take to kids. If Buddy has never been around wee folk, it may take a long time for him to adjust. Give him time and supervise all interaction between the two. Never leave Baby alone with Buddy, even for a second. It could spell disaster.
As Baby Grows
As Baby grows, teach him to respect Buddy. Don’t let him pull Buddy’s tail, poke his eyes, or shove his hands in the dog’s mouth. This is not cute. It has potential for disaster. Teach Baby to be kind and gentle with Buddy. Baby must learn to understand that Buddy has the same feelings as humans. Buddy feels pain, loneliness and can become depressed. When Baby treats Buddy with respect, praise him. Teach Baby that when he runs, Buddy’s instinct is to chase. This can result in Buddy knocking him down or hurting him unintentionally.
Living in Harmony
Sternly correct both Baby and Buddy if they are too rough or unkind to each other. Buddy should be taught that jumping on Baby is unacceptable. Allow Baby to touch Buddy’s ears and head or pet his fur, as long as he doesn’t pull or hit. Baby and Buddy must learn respect in order to live in harmony. If they can overcome the obstacles that they face, one day they will be the best of friends.
External Links:
Canine Aggression - This website explains the different types of aggression, how to socialize your dog and more