Fun Trivia » Animals » Dogs » Dog Behavior

This is a prime example of a dog who is very scared of you and is acting defensively. If you encounter a snarling dog, look for certain body positions to tell you if it's fearful aggression: ears back, cowering low to the ground, tail tucked tightly against the rear or even between the legs. When coming across a dog like this, the best thing you can do is simply give it space. Slowly back away from the dog or go around it with a wide berth. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Dominance aggression, Territorial aggression, It's not being aggressive

When you socialize your pup, you expose him to everything that he may encounter and need to handle as an adult. This includes people and animals of all types, situations (such as high traffic areas and quiet country areas), experiences (going to the vet, riding on an elevator) and objects (statues, umbrellas, and other potentially scary things). If you plan on having a working dog, it also means introducing him to the "tools of his trade"- noisy dog shows, being handled by strangers, agility equipment, gunfire, etc. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Teaching your puppy to greet people nicely, Letting your puppy play with other dogs, Making sure your puppy can tolerate large groups of people

Dog behavior (as well as the behavior of every animal!) is described by one very potent equation. Dogs will repeat behaviors that get them something that they want or need, and will not repeat behaviors that do not get them what they want or need. As behaviorists term it, "Reinforced behavior is repeated behavior." "Problem behaviors" are not problems for the dog; they function very well to get the dog something it wants. Finding out what the dog is getting is the first step to treating problem behaviors because only then can we devise ways for the dog to get what it wants in a non-problematic manner. Difficulty: Hard.

 

How often the dog performs the problem behavior, What the owner has done to try and correct the problem behavior, The dog's history of previous problem behaviors

Responsible breeders usually ensure that their puppies are habituated to many things from birth. They will handle the pups and get them used to human contact. They will expose the pups safely to normal household situations- children, other animals, vacuum cleaners and the like. As the pups grow older and begin to move about, the responsible breeder will make sure that they are introduced to many new situations. For example, by the age of 8 weeks, my pup will already have been exposed to dogs, cats, game birds, show stacking, new people, dog crates, and many other things. Difficulty: Hard.

 

As soon as the puppies' eyes open, As soon as the puppies start to walk, As soon as the puppies are weaned

Some people may mistake a dog like this for being friendly -- however, this is far from the case. This dog is extremely dominant, and may bite you. The best thing you can do in a situation like this is to 1) avoid eye contact. Dominant dogs perceive eye contact as a threat, or a challenge. 2) Put something between you and the dog, such as as jacket or a hat. This can take its mind off of you to investigate the object, giving you a chance to get away. 3) Back away slowly. Never run. Don't turn your back to the dog, don't make any sudden moves. Be calm and casual. Difficulty: Hard.

 

It's not being aggressive, Fearful aggression, Possessive aggression

During the socialization period, puppies form views on which things are safe and which are not. These opinions last for life! Thus, if the pup has pleasant experiences with something, it will be happy to accept that thing for life. If the puppy is scared by something, it may develop a lifelong fear. After the socialization period ends, the dog is apt to be afraid of anything new and unfamiliar that it meets. In many cases, this leads to problems. Dogs who are not socialized to children, for example, may be afraid of them and tend to bite them as adults. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Preventing a puppy from nipping and mouthing, Teaching a puppy how to greet people nicely, Making the adult dog more intelligent

While chewing may have a number of causes, between the ages of three and six months, the most likely cause is teething. Providing a puppy with appropriate chew toys, frozen teething rings or chew bones, can help in preventing the puppy from destroying or damaging household items. And, it can also alleviate some of the discomfort for the puppy. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

naughtiness, demonic possession, rabies

Most experts believe that optimal socialization occurs during the time that, in nature, the puppy would be weaned and would just be starting to interact with others in the pack. During this time, the pup is "programmed" to be curious, approach new things, take in as many experiences as possible and process them as "good" or "bad." After the socialization period, acclimation to new objects and situations is much more difficult, as the dog will become cautious. Difficulty: Hard.

 

2-8 weeks, 16-24 weeks, 24-32 weeks

A professional dog behaviorist can analyze your dog's particular type of aggression and give you practical advice to solve it. A common, effective way that will likely be explained to you is the Nothing In Life Is Free approach (NILIF). NILIF is mainly a practice used for overly dominant dogs. It involves teaching your dog a basic command, such as "sit", then practicing the command before giving your dog ANYTHING. Food, water, petting, play, being let outside, toys, etc. Your dog will also not be allowed up on furniture. NILIF is an excellent approach to un-training canine dominance aggression. Difficulty: Average.

 

Beat the dog into submission, Get a book and practice techniques, There's nothing wrong with an aggressive dog

This is a very dominant dog. If you stare at him or otherwise challenge his dominance, he is likely to bite. When a dog like this comes towards you, turn your side to the dog and do not stare at him! Talk soothingly and quietly, and try to back away. Difficulty: Hard.

 

I am friendly., I am scared., I am curious.

Dogs have a natural instinct to chase. Whether it is a car, bicycle, horse or elephant, the instinct is there, prompting them to move, unless training keeps them still. Training which involves controls such as voice, whistle or leash can prevent - or lessen - instances of chasing. Difficulty: Easy.

 

aging, early-onset dementia, stranger aggression

Children are three times more likely to get bitten than adults -- wouldn't you agree that a level of protection is needed? Teach them to be kind and gentle with dogs, never to startle them or be rough with them. Show them the appropriate way to pet a dog and play with it (not by roughhousing). Teach kids to never go up to a strange dog or a dog that is tied up. Always make sure they ask the owner before petting a dog. When approached by any dog, be sure they know NOT to scream and run! And most importantly, NEVER leave a child and a dog alone together. Always supervise their interactions. Even dogs that are super gentle and tolerant can eventually wear out of a child's exuberant, noisy playing, and young kids simply can't read the signs that a dog doesn't want to play anymore. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Give your child a puppy that will grow up to protect the child, Don't allow your children to ever go near a dog because all dogs are vicious, Children and dogs are naturally bonded, and aren't at a risk

Most dog breeds were created to fulfill a specific job need- and these jobs, like hunting and herding, required tremendous expenditures of energy. Today's dogs may no longer work as hard as their forebears, but they still have the same exercise requirements. An insufficiently exercised dog must expend all that excess energy somehow- and barking, digging and chewing may well be how he does it! A tired dog is a good dog.

Young dogs of working, sporting, herding and other active breeds typically require 20-45 minutes of hard aerobic exercise (walking doesn't cut it) just about every day!

Some behaviorists believe that feeding a low-protein diet reduces a dog's energy and arousal levels. Spaying doesn't consistently prevent any behavioral problems. Neutering reduces roaming, marking in the house and some forms of aggression. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Spaying/neutering the dog, Feeding a low-protein diet, Consistently punishing bad behavior

Chocolate and cocoa contain a chemical called theobromine, which can be toxic to dogs. It was first discovered in 1841 in cacao beans by a Russian chemist, and is known to metabolize much slower in dogs than humans. Theobromine poisoning in dogs can occur from as little as two ounces of chocolate. Besides vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, other symptoms of theobromine poisoning include tremors, abnormal heart rate, unsteady gait and hyperthermia. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

turkey, pinto beans, carrot

Socialize your puppy or dog thoroughly to people of all ages, genders, races, and clothing. Socialize them to cats, other dogs, small animals, different environments, and different noises. Train your dog to be obedient and well-mannered. Be consistent and firm, but not harsh or overbearing. These are the top two things you can do with any dog to prevent aggression. But it's also important to make sure your dog is healthy by regular vet check-ups and vaccinations. Spay or neuter your dog. Exercise her regularly and feed her a balanced diet (one that's recommended by veterinarians is usually best). Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

A low-protein diet and confinement, Isolation from strangers and regular exercise, Vet check-ups and good food

Believe it or not, this is a friendly gesture! It's equivalent to a human handshake. Dogs will grasp each others' muzzles in the same way. Difficulty: Hard.

 

I want some food., If you move, I'll bite you., I am worried.

Cesar Millan opened his first dog training facility in Los Angeles, CA (circa 2002) but it was the television series, "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" (2004-2012) that brought him international fame. Millan describes himself as a "self-taught". Common buzz words/phrases he has used are: "become the pack leader", "communicate calm, assertive energy" and use of "energy and body language". Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

The Dog Dancer, The Dog Interpreter, The Dog's Best Friend

A watchdog is simply any dog that will sound the alarm when someone comes up to the house, both letting you know about the intruder and likely scaring him away. Ideally, the dog should have a deep, guttural bark. A dog does not need to be aggressive to do the job -- gentle golden retrievers can do it! Aggressive dogs are not necessary, and are a menace both to you and to the public. Difficulty: Hard.

 

A big, heavy dog that will take down any intruder, A dog that's wary of strangers and will bite when it senses danger, A dog to sit and quietly guard, and show extreme force when necessary