The Pawfect Guide to Thinking Like a Dog Read online

  430.ANXIETY

  A feeling of anxiety occurs when a dog predicts or recalls a previously fearful event, even if it is not recurrent. This creates problems when a dog generalizes past fear to a wide number of similar situations. The dog may show all the physical signs of fear and attempt to put up a defense or escape.

  431.PHOBIA

  Strong dread develops when a dog’s quality of life is severely affected by fears and anxieties. Usually a phobia has to do with a specific stimulus, such as the noise of fireworks, but it can become impossible for the dog to function normally as a result of this kind of reaction.

  432.TYPES OF FEAR OR PHOBIA

  Dogs may fear situations that have previously created pain or alarm. This includes sudden events that startled them, attacks by other dogs, loud noises that hurt their ears, or being left alone and panicking as a result of the sudden loss.

  433.FEAR DUE TO LACK OF EARLY SOCIALIZATION

  Commonly, dogs originating from puppy farms or breeders or owners that did not socialize them develop fears and phobias. This is caused by the dogs’ lack of experience at the crucial early socialization stage and is extremely difficult to resolve. These dogs need constant desensitization.

  434.SEPARATION DISTRESS

  As social creatures, dogs usually enjoy company and form attachments with people and other dogs. Sadly, dogs are frequently left alone, due to modern lifestyles. The dogs feel abandoned and may bark, howl, or damage doors and dig carpets in efforts to reunite with their owners.

  435.NOISE PHOBIA

  Dogs have sensitive hearing and may find loud or sudden sounds painful and aversive. Such responses are natural, but a phobia can develop to include similar noises. For example, gunshots or fireworks can scare a dog, and a balloon popping or door slamming has the same percussive nature.

  DIGGING AND SCAVENGING

  436.DIG, DIG, DIG!

  Dogs naturally dig and explore interesting scents. This is a natural behavior, so don’t be hard on them when they start.

  437.CAUTION AROUND DIGGING

  Be careful that your dog is not digging up bulbs to eat, as these are toxic!

  438.PROVIDE A DIGGING PIT

  You can easily provide a sandpit or an area of the garden where you can clean up any mess easily enough with a broom. Bury toys in this area to encourage your dog to dig there.

  439.PROTECT THE GARDEN

  You may have a lovely garden, but your dog doesn’t realize how much you love it. Fence in or wire off areas where your dog may cause damage.

  440.SCAVENGING

  Dogs eat things while on walks and take things from trash cans and other places where garbage collects. This is part of their natural instincts but can be dangerous.

  441.PREVENTION

  Teach your dog to come back and sit at every opportunity. Some dogs are trained to wear muzzles on walks to prevent them swallowing unsafe items.

  JUMPING UP

  442.WHY JUMP UP?

  Dogs jump up to reach human faces and to gain the attention of their humans.

  443.OUCH!

  Jumping up is undesirable because it leads the dog to scratch and knock over unsuspecting humans!

  444.TRAINING MEASURES

  A dog that jumps up can be taught to sit and wait for the visitor to initiate his or her greeting.

  445.DO NOT PUNISH!

  Never sharply reprimand your dog for jumping up. It can teach the dog that human arrivals lead to punishment, and it can instill a fear of humans.

  446.MANAGEMENT MEASURES

  Installing stair gates and keeping your dog on a lead are great ways to ensure that your dog does not injure anyone while still learning to stay calm.

  STEALING FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

  447.TEMPTATION EVERYWHERE

  Humans are very good at leaving food and interesting items, such as shoes, for dogs to pick up and chew. This exploration is normal behavior for dogs.

  448.KEEP THE FLOOR CLEAR

  Especially with a puppy, leaving things lying around is an invitation to chew and ruin your items, not to mention what your dog will end up eating.

  449.EATING FOOD AROUND YOUR DOG

  Never share your food directly from your plate. It teaches your dog to beg from you whenever you next start eating.

  450.STEALING FOOD FROM TABLES AND WORKTOPS

  This can be hard to stop once your dog reaches the jackpot and steals something really tasty. Never leave your dog unsupervised while food is present.

  451.RESOLVING THEFT

  Always swap items for food treats, asking your dog to sit first. If your dog is persistently stealing your things, teach the thief how to bring the items to you for a reward. You’ll have a very tidy house!

  BARKING AND VOCALIZATIONS

  452.COMMUNICATION BY SOUND

  Dogs communicate with a range of growls, yips, and howls, all carrying meaning. Even the humble bark can mean a number of different signals. Barks carry emotion and range widely in timing, pitch, and amplitude.

  453.HOWLING

  You may associate howling with wolves, but dogs can also make this quavering, drawn-out noise. Dogs howl to make contact with others, to let others know they are there, and to attract attention. They will also join in with others’ howling, or in some cases, with music of a similar timbre!

  454.YIPS AND YAPS

  When playing or inviting another being to join in a game, dogs will often make a sharp, high-pitched yap sound. This is coupled with soft eyes and “laughing.” The mouth pants, with its corners drawn back. What more of an invitation do you need to join in the fun?

  455.GROWLING

  A dog’s growl is a low, guttural sound that is rarely mistaken. Growls are a universal signal of impending threat and danger. If your dog growls, immediately stop whatever activity is causing the stress. Growling can sometimes be playful, but is still a rehearsal of the real thing. Get expert advice on kind ways to remove related anxiety.

  456.WHAT IS COMMUNICATED BY A BARK?

  The duration, frequency, and pitch are important. A rapid string of high-pitched barks is a commonly recognized alarm sound, alerting others. A single bark, punctuated by pauses, often signals that the dog is alone and unhappy.

  457.WHO UNDERSTANDS A BARK?

  Researchers have shown that both dog owners and non-owners can identify the meanings behind barks. Each group could identify whether a bark was from a dog signaling its aloneness, its being approached by a stranger, or its playing or being aggressive.

  458.DOG BARK MEANINGS FOR OTHER DOGS

  We expect our dogs to understand the meaning behind other dogs’ barks. During research, barks from a dog left alone did not cause listening dogs to react a great deal. However, the dogs jumped to attention when hearing a bark signaling a stranger’s approach.

  459.SILENCE IS GOLDEN

  Barking can become a nuisance even though it is a natural behavior for dogs. “Inappropriate” or unwanted barking reflects the emotional state of the dog. It is the emotional state that must be changed, not the noise itself.

  460.PREVENTING UNWANTED BARKING

  If barking is undesired, list the who, what, why, where, and when of each bark for a week. This will inform you about the causes. Is it fear, loneliness, boredom, excitement, or a few of these? Help your dog to stay calm and happy in these situations, and the barking will cease.

  FEAR OF CARS AND TRAVEL

  461.CAR TROUBLE

  Dogs must travel in cars in this modern world. Problems with travel can lead to serious limitations on their lives.

  462.FEAR OF SOUND

  Cars are noisy and vibrate as the engine roars. This can be unsettling, and the dog must learn to accept the noise by pairing it with treats.

  463.MOTION SICKNESS

  As a car travels around corners and over bumps in the road, as well as when starting and stopping, the movements can cause a dog to feel nauseated.

  464.KEEP STILL!

  As the car moves, the dog can
be taught to lie down. Use a padded bed so that your dog does not roll around, too!

  465.SEPARATION FROM YOU

  Dogs are often expected to travel in the back of the car, but they find this distressing, as they want comfort from their owners. Aim to allow them to rest close to you if possible.

  466.DRIVER SAFETY

  A dog must not distract the driver in any way, so ensure your dog is not creating noise or movement that may take your attention.

  467.DOG SAFETY

  If your dog is loose in the car, a sudden stop or turn may cause severe injury. Keep your dog secure.

  468.LEGAL SAFETY

  In many countries, it is illegal to have an animal unsecured in a vehicle. Use a crate or seatbelt with a comfy protective harness.

  469.GRADUAL CAR TRAINING

  While your dog is still a puppy, go for short, enjoyable journeys in the car.

  470.OTHER TRAFFIC

  Motorcycles and other cars and trucks on the road can scare your dog or trigger the chase instinct. You can mask the view to keep your dog from being overwhelmed by what can be seen from the window.

  LIVING WITH OTHER DOGS

  471.MULTIPLE-DOG HOUSEHOLDS

  There are complex relationships among owners and dogs in these households, and between the dogs. As a social species, dogs are inclined to seek companionship, but there also can be conflicts. Not every dog wants to live with another dog.

  472.COMPATIBILITY

  Ideally, dogs living in the same home are compatible and learn to live together. Hormones, possessiveness, or simply matching a young dog with an older dog can lead to problems. Each dog must have its own bed and space for undisturbed rest.

  473.COMPETITION

  Dogs may compete over food, toys, attention, and locations. They do not understand the concept of sharing! If one dog wants more access to these things than another one, allow it. This helps ensure the dogs do not become anxious or begin a fight over access.

  474.HOME RULES

  Dogs living together can learn household rules as long as the owner teaches the rules. Teach your dogs where they sleep, where they eat, and where they sit when being given food or a fuss. Rules help dogs learn how to behave calmly around one another.

  475.PLACEMENT TRAINING

  Teach each dog its own place in front of you. Pick, from left to right, who will sit where. This includes which dog is placed next to another. Choose the same positioning for the dogs every time you interact with them. This prevents conflict and competition for space.

  476.NAMES

  Use the dogs’ names each time you address individuals. They will learn the sound of their own names and will learn to ignore instructions you give to other dogs. This allows you detailed control and helps the dogs to relax when their names are not mentioned.

  477.PROBLEMS

  Dogs may not be compatible due to hormonal clashes or the feeling that their space is overpopulated. These issues are not easy to resolve without a clinical behaviorist’s assistance.

  478.TO NEUTER, OR NOT?

  Neutering to improve behavior around other dogs is not always the answer. Seek professional help before doing any permanent medical intervention.

  479.TRAINING AND PLANNING

  Training the dogs in a multiple-dog household needs to be done separately. Work with one dog and one trainer at a time. Ensure that each dog has the desired trained behavior before working on it with the dogs together. This is very important when walking the dogs on a lead.

  LIVING WITH PEOPLE

  480.START EARLY

  From early puppyhood, a dog must become used to all kinds of people, especially children, in an enjoyable and fun way. Choose a puppy only from a household that can guarantee the pups were regularly played with and exposed to people from all walks of life.

  481.NEW BABY

  Your dog will need time to adjust to a new baby. Employ a dog walker to keep up exercise. Practice holding a doll in the same way a baby is held while your dog sits calmly. Allow your dog to sniff a baby-scented blanket before bringing the baby home.

  482.KIDS

  Children behave in ways that may appear startling and unpredictable to a dog. Teach children to behave calmly around dogs and not to disturb them when they are eating or resting.

  483.PLAY

  A dog naturally plays by mouthing, body charging, chasing, and wrestling with other dogs. Such games are not acceptable when playing with people. Do not allow your dog to engage people in this way. Likewise, prevent all humans from teaching your dog to play rough.

  484.ROUTINES

  Routine is important for a pet. A human household has routines, but a dog cannot predict what will happen during celebrations such as fireworks or parties. Give your dog a quiet, safe place to retreat to when routines change. Not every family dog wants to join in!

  485.VISITORS

  Having visitors to the home may be very exciting, or the visit may cause fearfulness and protectiveness. A dog that watches the world from front windows can quickly learn to bark at passers-by in defense. Prevent access to these areas. Teach your dog to sit calmly when visitors enter.

  486.ATTENTION

  Human attention is rewarding for a dog, but can reinforce unwanted behavior. People may tell a barking dog to “Be quiet.” However, to the dog, this sounds like the human is joining in! Distract your barker with another activity, such as sitting, instead.

  487.EMOTIONS

  A dog is sensitive to the emotional atmosphere in human families. At times of stress, grieving, or arguments, your dog should be allowed to leave the room by choice. Don’t be surprised if your dog’s behavior changes at these times, too.

  488.ATTACHMENT

  A dog forms attachments that can be especially strong. This leaves the dog feeling bereft and lonely when a beloved person leaves for work or goes shopping. Teach your dog that human absence is not a problem by giving a tasty chew when you leave.

  HOUSEHOLD RULES

  489.HOUSEHOLD RULES

  Dogs do not understand human rules, and it is unfair to punish or get cross at them without setting some boundaries first. Remember, dogs LOVE routine!

  490.TEAM EFFORT

  Everyone who comes into contact with the dog must agree on the rules!

  491.TRAINING

  Some rules will need explanation. Providing easy-to-follow training, such as telling the dog to “sit” at the door before walks, means the house rules can be enforced without confusion.

  492.WHO IS IN CHARGE?

  It is helpful if one member of the household takes responsibility for ensuring that the house rules are followed. This is usually a responsible adult.

  493.CHILDREN AND HOUSEHOLD RULES

  Kids make excellent instructors as long as they know the rules. Put small signs around the house to remind them of the rules, such as the practice of making the dog sit before the dog bowl is filled.

  494.MAKE A LIST!

  To make sure your rules are followed, create a roster to help the family members share tasks and timetables for training.

  495.STAR CHART FOR FAMILY DOGS

  Every time your dog learns a new skill, have a chart ready and add a star. You’ll soon see their abilities add up!

  496.“SIT” MEANS “PLEASE”

  One of the best and most useful dog behaviors is sitting on command. Teach everyone that whenever your dog wants something, the rule is that the dog has to sit first, as a way to say “please.”

  497.RULES ARE RULES

  If a member of the household refuses to follow the rules, simply prevent that person from interacting with your dog until the rules are agreed upon. Your dog will thank you for this!

  498.SPEND TIME ENJOYING YOUR PET

  After reading all these tips, you may feel a little overwhelmed at all the things that can or should be done. Be sure to simply spend time enjoying your dog just for being a lovely pet and companion.

  HARMONY WITH YOUR DOG

  499.LET DOGS BE THEMSELVES


  While dogs often do things we humans don’t like, you can work out what you can live with. Dogs are much happier if they can live as naturally as possible.

  500.COMPANIONS TO THE LAST

  We are privileged to spend our time with dogs, and they choose to be with us. Your dog will become your best friend.

  501.AND FINALLY

  We hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour through the wonderful world of dogs. Our dogs can be the most fantastic companions and our best friends in the world, but we have to live up to that promise, too. Hopefully, these tips will help make you the best friend your dog can have!

  INDEX

  adolescence 69, 110–11

  adoption 38–40

  adulthood 112–37

  nutrition 112–17

  parasites 120–5

  poisons 126–9

  safety issues 118–19

  vets, when to visit 130–7

  worms 120–3

  aggression 174

  allergies 27, 115, 124

  ancestry 12, 22

  anus see bottoms

  anxiety 178

  appetite 130

  arthritis 28, 116, 138, 146

  attachment 199

  babies, and dogs 196

  backs, long 29

  bald dogs 30

  bald patches 133

  barking 50, 144, 179, 184–7, 198