Can I Train My Dog

Understanding Dog Behavior - Facial Expressions

Some people are often totally ignorant of the facial expressions of a dog.  They look askance at the indulgent dog owner reading dog behavior when he says “aww, look at Fido - he’s enjoying himself!”.  Perhaps “Fido’s depressed today - look at his eyes”.  Mind you, they may laugh at canine body or face language at their peril.  What if there was an emergency situation when they were faced with an apparently aggressive dog?  I bet they would then wish they’d paid attention to all that boring dog behavior stuff the doting pooch owner was trying to tell them!

It’s true that a hot, panting dog with it’s lips pulled back and tongue hanging out does seem to “smile”.  Some dogs (labrador retrievers spring to mind) appear to be permanently smiley dogs.  In terms of dog behavior, of course they are not smiling, but some dogs do seem almost to laugh when they draw back the lips to show the incisors.

This is not to be confused with a truly aggressive dog where the lips are drawn right back showing the upper canines.  In a dominant aggressive dog the ears are usually pricked up and forward.  The other type of aggression known in dog behavior circles is known as fearful aggression.  In this case the dog would have wide, staring eyes with the ears pinned back.  Dominant aggression is generally more dangerous than fear, but if a fearful aggressive dog is cornered, it can be very fierce, so be careful.

Dogs’ eyes can be very expressive.  Some people are fearful or suspicious of dogs who have light eyes, rather like a wolf.  This is usually unfounded, as light eyes (blue or amber) tend to just be a genetic trait.  Sometimes these may be of concern to a breeder.  The reason is because some light eyes, like all-white coats, have in certain breeds genetic links to the genes for deafness or blindness.  This has nothing to do with dog beahvior or the potential for aggression.  They need not concern you when encountering an individual animal.  Just because a dog’s eyes are wolf-like it doesn’t mean he’s a wolf, and even wolves are not as fierce to man as their reputation may have it.

It is most unwise to stare at a dog, especially if you suspect aggression.  Dog behavior is such that they use staring as a challenge.  Only look at such a dog indirectly to establish where it is.  Don’t turn your back and run, but try and back away and disappear in as discreet and unchallenging a manner as possible.

On a more positive note, one of the cutest dog behaviors a pooch can use is his quizzical look.  That’s when he raises his eyebrows or eyelids, moves the ears forward just a little, and tilts the head to one side.  This one can be even cuter (a real photo-opportunity) if the dog manages to suck in one of his upper lips at the same time.  This gives a lop-sided questioning look that says “eh?” in the most endearing manner possible.

The ears can be very expressive, especially in those breeds with small, erect ears, or if the ears are not too huge and floppy.  Ears back and flat on the head is usually a sign of submission, sometimes uncertainty.  Ears brought forward and up can be curiosity or aggression.

It is wise for everyone to study a dog’s facial and body language.  In fact it is a subject I believe should be taught as part of “life craft” lessons in schools.  It’s particularly relevant now these natural talents are no longer passed down from generation to generation as a matter of common sense in all families.

Some people are often totally ignorant of the facial expressions of a dog.  They look askance at the indulgent dog owner reading dog behavior when he says “aww, look at Fido - he’s enjoying himself!”.  Perhaps “Fido’s depressed today - look at his eyes”.  Mind you, they may laugh at canine body or face language at their peril.  What if there was an emergency situation when they were faced with an apparently aggressive dog?  I bet they would then wish they’d paid attention to all that boring dog behavior stuff the doting pooch owner was trying to tell them!

It’s true that a hot, panting dog with it’s lips pulled back and tongue hanging out does seem to “smile”.  Some dogs (labrador retrievers spring to mind) appear to be permanently smiley dogs.  In terms of dog behavior, of course they are not smiling, but some dogs do seem almost to laugh when they draw back the lips to show the incisors.

This is not to be confused with a truly aggressive dog where the lips are drawn right back showing the upper canines.  In a dominant aggressive dog the ears are usually pricked up and forward.  The other type of aggression known in dog behavior circles is known as fearful aggression.  In this case the dog would have wide, staring eyes with the ears pinned back.  Dominant aggression is generally more dangerous than fear, but if a fearful aggressive dog is cornered, it can be very fierce, so be careful.

Dogs’ eyes can be very expressive.  Some people are fearful or suspicious of dogs who have light eyes, rather like a wolf.  This is usually unfounded, as light eyes (blue or amber) tend to just be a genetic trait.  Sometimes these may be of concern to a breeder.  The reason is because some light eyes, like all-white coats, have in certain breeds genetic links to the genes for deafness or blindness.  This has nothing to do with dog beahvior or the potential for aggression.  They need not concern you when encountering an individual animal.  Just because a dog’s eyes are wolf-like it doesn’t mean he’s a wolf, and even wolves are not as fierce to man as their reputation may have it.

It is most unwise to stare at a dog, especially if you suspect aggression.  Dog behavior is such that they use staring as a challenge.  Only look at such a dog indirectly to establish where it is.  Don’t turn your back and run, but try and back away and disappear in as discreet and unchallenging a manner as possible.

On a more positive note, one of the cutest dog behaviors a pooch can use is his quizzical look.  That’s when he raises his eyebrows or eyelids, moves the ears forward just a little, and tilts the head to one side.  This one can be even cuter (a real photo-opportunity) if the dog manages to suck in one of his upper lips at the same time.  This gives a lop-sided questioning look that says “eh?” in the most endearing manner possible.

The ears can be very expressive, especially in those breeds with small, erect ears, or if the ears are not too huge and floppy.  Ears back and flat on the head is usually a sign of submission, sometimes uncertainty.  Ears brought forward and up can be curiosity or aggression.

It is wise for everyone to study a dog’s facial and body language.  In fact it is a subject I believe should be taught as part of “life craft” lessons in schools.  It’s particularly relevant now these natural talents are no longer passed down from generation to generation as a matter of common sense in all families.

Can I Train a Dog News

Can I Train a Dog

Dog Training - Walking on the Leash

One of the most difficult aspects of dog training is the seemingly simple matter of making the dog walk nicely on the leash.  The problem of pulling seems to start in late puppyhood.  At this stage the dog tends to become very excited and desperate to get out there.  He wants to sample all the sights, sounds and more importantly, smells of the outside world.  He becomes very keen to get ahead on walks, which makes the owner respond by pulling him back on the lead.  He’s pulling forward and you’re pulling back.  It’s not the best of situations.

If your dog is not taught from an early age to walk nicely on the leash, walks can turn into a nightmare.  Not only is it dangerous if a large dog is pulling its owner all over the place, but it is detrimental to your relationship with your pet too.  You feel as if the dog is in control, you feel humiliated.  Whist you are walking, or being dragged, passers- by often can’t resist the comment “Who’s taking who for a walk?”  Ha ha.  It’s not great for your self-esteem.

Find a ten minute walk from your home, where the dog will be relatively free of distractions, a “round trip”.  Put the dog on a long line and allow it some slack.  Try to keep the leash as loose as you can.  Use it to rein the animal back in if it’s going somewhere dangerous, like wandering towards the road, for instance.  If the dog bolts or lunges as it gets to the end of the line, call him back sharply.

When you come to a kerbside, use your sit instructions and use the lead to bring the dog towards you and to the kerb for a sit.  Praise him/her for sitting and encourage to stay or wait until you use your release phrase, such as “let’s go”.

After you’ve been doing this for a week or so at a rate of two or three times per day, you might try to encourage the dog to walk by your side.  Just do this for a short period of time, keeping the lead loose and getting the dog’s attention by voice or body language.  As this dog training progresses, you can gradually increase the time you expect him to be close.  You could use a command like “Fido, close” to indicate what is expected of him.  Praise the dog gently and quietly while he is by your side, persuading him that this is a lovely place to be.  You might occasionally give him a little titbit to reinforce this feeling.

Once you’ve managed this and you are both gaining confidence with the long lead, you can start using a regular lead.  Keep the situation positive, don’t get into a punishment scenario if the dog pulls away from you.  Remember, more carrot than stick.  If this gentle dog training method is used on a young, impressionable dog you it will serve you well.  You shouldn’t ever have to resort to check chains, harnesses, head collars and other physical methods of restraint.  If you’ve a pet who’s already a puller, though, some of these, particularly the harnesses or head collars, can be very useful.

Can I Train a Dog News

Can I Train a Dog