Your ability to be a good pet parent rests heavily on how well you know your dog and understand its behaviors and personality. While every dog comes with their own distinct personality (none of the four GSDs I have raised so far have had similar temperaments or reactions to situations – if one was a gentle giant, the other is a headstrong, argumentative child; if one was potty trained in less than a week, the other took over a month; if the ones we raised since they were puppies want pets and belly rubs from even strangers, the one we rescued was so badly abused in his original home that he struggled with severe trust issues), there are certain overlapping characteristics and traits that can help you understand and bond with your dog better.
As I always say, there are no bad dogs in the world. Only poorly raised ones who go on to act in ways that pose a danger to themselves as well as others. Yes, there are bad and good characteristics of a dog, and as a pet parent, it is your responsibility to bolster the good characteristics and discourage the bad/negative ones. The only way you can do that is by first understanding your dog’s needs, wants, and state of mind.
In this section, this dog mom takes you deep into the world of canine behaviors, dog characteristics, personality, to help you understand why your pooch behaves a certain way in certain situations. From identifying if your dog is in distress or physical pain to spotting and correcting negative behaviors, this understanding serves as the foundation of your ability to raise a dog well.
Being a dog parent is a privilege of a lifetime. In the short time they’re with you, these furry babies can fill your heart with joy that is enough to sustain you for the rest of your life – provided you offer them a safe and secure environment where they can blossom and thrive. That’s exactly what we endeavor to achieve by helping you get to know your dog better.
While all dogs, both adults and babies, lick their paws often, I haven’t had to deal first-hand with the curious issue of a puppy chewing on paws. But I did see it up close with a friend’s 4-month-old Beagle who was going to town on his paws. The grating sound as he gnawed and nibbled…
How do dogs communicate, with each other and with us? Knowing the answer to this question is critical for successful pet parenting as it also you to pick up on cues and respond to your dog’s needs and reactions the right way. Much like us, dogs also use facial expressions and body language, in addition…
Do dogs have emotions? Pose this question to any pet parent, and the answer will likely be, “Duhhhh! Of course, they do.” After all, we’ve all seen our pets jump up and down with excitement and joy when we walk through the door at the end of a long day. Or pull a long face…
I had a brush with the very scary tendency of resource guarding in dogs when our adopted GSD, Prince, became so overly possessive of me that he started raising his heckles and baring his teeth if anyone approached me while I was with him or when I stepped out of the house. He was 4…
There is no denying that we share a unique and deep bond with our canine companions. And we love them dearly too. But can dogs love us back? Are they capable of experiencing this emotion? If so, are they capable of expressing their love? Every pet parent knows the answer to these questions in their…