Dog Behaviors and What They Mean
Dogs are very popular as pets
because they are loving, playful and very loyal to their owners. To be
able to form a strong bond with them, dog owners must try to learn about
dog behavior. The following write-up provides information that will
help you understand their body language and vocalizations
Dogs are called a man's best friend. Not only do they have
unconditional love to offer to their master, they are loyal and will
leave no stone unturned in protecting their master. However, the right
kind of human interaction or training is necessary to deepen the bond
between the dog and the owner. Obedience training is very essential as
it helps in establishing the owner as the leader of the pack. Dogs need
structure or routine in their lives. It is the responsibility of the
owner to provide structure. Owners must also have a proper understanding
about canine behavior. This will prevent them from misreading the pet's
body language
It is mainly the dog's body language that helps the owner understand what the dog is trying to convey. Besides body language, dogs also use vocalizations for expressing themselves. Here's some information about their body language
Wagging the Tail: Dogs usually express their excitement and happiness by wagging their tail, but there's a need to pay attention to the manner in which they wag their tail. If the dog is happy, the tail will be moving sideways. Even the dog's rear end will wiggle. This is the most common behavior or gesture displayed by a dog. Pet dogs usually display such a behavior when they see their owner after a long time, and also when they spot their favorite treat or food item. If the dog is wagging the tail in short, fast strokes, it may be a sign of aggression. Stay away from the dog if the tail is held high, and appears tense and stiff. These may be the signs of an impending attack
Digging: Digging is a very common behavior in canines. While digging is quite common in hunting dog breeds, most breeds indulge in digging. Dogs usually dig to hide some of their favorite possessions such as bones or toys, which they would like to hunt for later. They may even dig out of boredom. Another reason behind the digging may be the need to indulge in physical activity. When left alone for long periods, dogs could suffer from separation anxiety. When confined, the dog may try to escape. Frequent barking, chewing, digging and house soiling when left alone are some of the signs of separation anxiety. Approximately 14% of dogs in the U.S. may show one or more signs of separation anxiety
Sniffing: Sniffing is an instinctive behavior in canines. Dogs have a very strong sense of smell. Their sense of smell is highly developed. Sniffing helps them understand their surroundings. They sniff to acquire the scent of other humans and dogs. While they often lick to show affection, they may also lick to process information about that person. This helps the dogs identify that person in future
Jumping: Jumping is more common in puppies than in dogs. It is a way of displaying affection and excitement. It might get troublesome when they jump too frequently, which may be to attract attention. However, jumping could even be a way of asserting dominance
Biting: Chewing and biting is more common in puppies who display such behavior when they are teething. An adult dog may bite if he feels frightened or when he is trying to protect or guard his territory. Growling, lunging, and biting are all signs of aggression. Incidence of biting may be higher in certain breeds. Proper training is required to modify such a behavior
Marking: You may have seen that dogs tend to urinate on car tires or grass. This is a way of marking their territory. If you notice that your dog sniffs around a lot and urinates at frequent intervals, he does so to communicate with other dogs and to mark the places so that he finds his way back home in case he gets lost
Barking: This is probably the most natural and normal behavior displayed by canines. Dogs bark to threaten strangers and prevent them from entering the house. They bark to communicate the arrival of a stranger or somebody they are familiar with, and also to communicate with other dogs. In case of dogs suffering from separation anxiety, the bark is usually high-pitched. Excessive barking, however, is a behavioral problem and should be rectified with appropriate training
Whining: Dogs mostly whine when they want something or are in desperate need of some pampering. They may whine just to attract attention. They may also whine when they panic. They may whine and whimper to express fear or pain. They may whimper when they feel neglected
Growling: Dogs may growl while playing, but growling could even be followed by an act of aggression. This may actually be a warning to stop what you may be doing at the moment
Howling: Dogs may howl in response to certain sounds. They may howl when they hear the sound of sirens. They may howl when they are under stress
There are certain behavioral problems that a dog owner should know about, so that these problems can be prevented by modifying the behavior of the dog with the help of training
Aggressiveness: Aggressiveness is the most common behavioral problem in dogs and there are different types of dog aggression. This kind of behavior may harm you as well as other people, especially children around you. Excessive barking, biting, growling and destructive chewing are some of the signs of aggression in dogs
Pulling on the Leash: Most dogs pull on the leash to assert the fact that they are the leaders and will show the way. This behavioral problem needs to be prevented earlier on with training and reinforcement
Inappropriate Urination and Defecation: When your dog urinates or defecates in the house despite being toilet trained, it may be trying to convey his displeasure on certain things like being left alone or a change in food. It can be rectified with behavioral training. Do consult a veterinarian as an underlying medical condition may be behind such behavior
Canine Behavior
It is mainly the dog's body language that helps the owner understand what the dog is trying to convey. Besides body language, dogs also use vocalizations for expressing themselves. Here's some information about their body language
Wagging the Tail: Dogs usually express their excitement and happiness by wagging their tail, but there's a need to pay attention to the manner in which they wag their tail. If the dog is happy, the tail will be moving sideways. Even the dog's rear end will wiggle. This is the most common behavior or gesture displayed by a dog. Pet dogs usually display such a behavior when they see their owner after a long time, and also when they spot their favorite treat or food item. If the dog is wagging the tail in short, fast strokes, it may be a sign of aggression. Stay away from the dog if the tail is held high, and appears tense and stiff. These may be the signs of an impending attack
Digging: Digging is a very common behavior in canines. While digging is quite common in hunting dog breeds, most breeds indulge in digging. Dogs usually dig to hide some of their favorite possessions such as bones or toys, which they would like to hunt for later. They may even dig out of boredom. Another reason behind the digging may be the need to indulge in physical activity. When left alone for long periods, dogs could suffer from separation anxiety. When confined, the dog may try to escape. Frequent barking, chewing, digging and house soiling when left alone are some of the signs of separation anxiety. Approximately 14% of dogs in the U.S. may show one or more signs of separation anxiety
Sniffing: Sniffing is an instinctive behavior in canines. Dogs have a very strong sense of smell. Their sense of smell is highly developed. Sniffing helps them understand their surroundings. They sniff to acquire the scent of other humans and dogs. While they often lick to show affection, they may also lick to process information about that person. This helps the dogs identify that person in future
Jumping: Jumping is more common in puppies than in dogs. It is a way of displaying affection and excitement. It might get troublesome when they jump too frequently, which may be to attract attention. However, jumping could even be a way of asserting dominance
Biting: Chewing and biting is more common in puppies who display such behavior when they are teething. An adult dog may bite if he feels frightened or when he is trying to protect or guard his territory. Growling, lunging, and biting are all signs of aggression. Incidence of biting may be higher in certain breeds. Proper training is required to modify such a behavior
Marking: You may have seen that dogs tend to urinate on car tires or grass. This is a way of marking their territory. If you notice that your dog sniffs around a lot and urinates at frequent intervals, he does so to communicate with other dogs and to mark the places so that he finds his way back home in case he gets lost
Vocalizations
Barking: This is probably the most natural and normal behavior displayed by canines. Dogs bark to threaten strangers and prevent them from entering the house. They bark to communicate the arrival of a stranger or somebody they are familiar with, and also to communicate with other dogs. In case of dogs suffering from separation anxiety, the bark is usually high-pitched. Excessive barking, however, is a behavioral problem and should be rectified with appropriate training
Whining: Dogs mostly whine when they want something or are in desperate need of some pampering. They may whine just to attract attention. They may also whine when they panic. They may whine and whimper to express fear or pain. They may whimper when they feel neglected
Growling: Dogs may growl while playing, but growling could even be followed by an act of aggression. This may actually be a warning to stop what you may be doing at the moment
Howling: Dogs may howl in response to certain sounds. They may howl when they hear the sound of sirens. They may howl when they are under stress
Behavioral Problems in Dogs
There are certain behavioral problems that a dog owner should know about, so that these problems can be prevented by modifying the behavior of the dog with the help of training
Aggressiveness: Aggressiveness is the most common behavioral problem in dogs and there are different types of dog aggression. This kind of behavior may harm you as well as other people, especially children around you. Excessive barking, biting, growling and destructive chewing are some of the signs of aggression in dogs
Pulling on the Leash: Most dogs pull on the leash to assert the fact that they are the leaders and will show the way. This behavioral problem needs to be prevented earlier on with training and reinforcement
Inappropriate Urination and Defecation: When your dog urinates or defecates in the house despite being toilet trained, it may be trying to convey his displeasure on certain things like being left alone or a change in food. It can be rectified with behavioral training. Do consult a veterinarian as an underlying medical condition may be behind such behavior
No comments:
Post a Comment