DOG PSYCHOLOGY: COMMON MISTAKES | PART 2
You can find the first part of the article here: DOGS PSYCHOLOGY: Common Mistakes | Part 1
5. Sometimes, seeing a dog rubbing its muzzle on the ground or any objects too actively, the owners believe that the skin on the face of their pet is not all right. This is not true.
Cleaning the muzzle of food debris, the dog presses his lips to something. Most often it rubs against a soft object. But she can clean the face not only on soft objects lying on the ground or on the floor; so scotch terriers after eating often clean their beards and muzzles on the clothes of the household hanging in the hall. Needless to say, the results are deplorable. They do the same when they are away.
For many dogs, face cleaning becomes a very pleasant ritual. The dog falls with its chest to the ground and begins to clean the muzzle alternately with both front paws, then rubs its muzzle against the ground. She may even rest her nose on the bridge and simulate brushing, although this area is usually so clean. She also rubs her neck from the sides on the ground. Sometimes the dog throws itself on its back and, bending, begins to perform reciprocating movements.
The animal usually cleans its muzzle silently, but, gradually getting excited, begins to emit soft sounds: grunts, urges to bark, without ceasing to wag its tail. A dog cleaning its face is usually well fed and happy; the action itself means that nothing disturbs her peace. Turning over on her back, she experiences even greater pleasure, and standing up, she certainly shakes herself to tidy up the fur.
6. It is generally accepted that if a dog has bitten a person, the dog must at least be punished. At the same time, we completely forget that most often the person who is bitten is the one to blame.
Much has been written about the relationship between man and man, and from different angles, and in different sections; slightly less advice was given to dog owners on how to maintain and how to educate their pets, so as not to impose their communication on others; and there is absolutely nothing about how these others should behave when a dog is walking towards him on the sidewalk.
At the sight of a beautiful dog, almost everyone wants to pet it. Some ask permission from the owner, others immediately start flirting, but both the former and the latter behave equally tactlessly.
Let's do a little psychological experience. Imagine: you are walking down the street, cheerfully wagging your tail, when suddenly an aunt rushes towards you and begins to lisp, stroke the head, or even kiss on the nose. And the aunt, well, completely alien, completely unfamiliar. Have you presented? Now do you understand how a stranger's dog feels when you bother him? But this is the first thing. Secondly, some owners train their dogs in such a way that they react aggressively in response to the affectionate intonation of a stranger, stroking and stretching out a hand for this.
Thus, the first rule is obtained: a stranger's dog does not exist for us.
A foreign dog should not exist for us (even if it is a puppy). Puppies are harmless and unlike adult dogs, most of them love to be petted. But by caressing the puppy often together with our child, we thereby made it clear to this dog that strangers can be a source of positive feelings. Six months will pass, and the same dog, which from a three-month-old butuz became a ten-month-old puppy, for example, a Caucasian shepherd dog, will fly to us or someone else to meet us for the promised portion of affection ... So it is much more correct not to flirt with other people's puppies, not to form such a dangerous in the future behavior.
I must say that dogs of almost all breeds are terrible bureaucrats! Getting used to a certain form of behavior of passers-by on the street, their certain clothes, they immediately notice any differences and react to it according to their life experience, breed or training. Dogs are especially sensitive, restless and aggressive at dusk and in poorly populated places. Thus, if an off-leash dog comes towards you, keep walking at a calm pace. All dogs do not like loud screams, sudden movements, flapping hands. But it scares some, while in others it can cause an attack of aggression. A sudden stop of a person walking towards him, his leaving for some kind of shelter (tree, table, etc.), just like the specific clothing of fishermen, hunters or road workers, causes an indicative, defensive or aggressive-defensive reaction in dogs.
By the way, dogs don't like a drunk passer-by, not so much because he smells of alcohol, but because he makes uncoordinated, abrupt and incomprehensible movements.
So, the second rule: do not differ from those around you by your behavior.
7. It seems that a stranger's dog can be a stranger in different ways: a stranger's dog when you walk down the street like a passer-by; another stranger if you meet her with your dog; and the dog of friends you come to visit. It is customary to think that in these different situations one should behave differently. But your friends' dog is also someone else's dog with all the ensuing consequences.
Having come as a guest to the house, it is so difficult to resist the temptation to play with the puppy living there, caress or feed him! There are many of those who wish. Remember: "And everyone, smiling, strives to touch you on the velvet wool"? And the puppy develops an attitude towards outsiders like manna from heaven or Santa Claus. It is unlikely that even a good watchman, let alone a protector, will turn out from such a dog. So think again about what service you are doing to your friend.
If you have already decided on contact with someone else's dog, then your interactions should be only educational in nature. For example, well, I really want to pet the puppy - pat it, but then, completing the contact, make it a little painful or unpleasant (push away sharply, pull by the ear, slap) or just jerk your hand back sharply.
8. How often, when a stranger's dog comes up to us and starts sniffing, we either jump aside, fearing that it might bite, or we start stroking and lisping with it.
A dog approaching or stretching its muzzle towards you does not necessarily have to bite you or caress you. Unlike humans, dogs see better with their noses than with their eyes, and it's natural to want to see you in more detail. If a puppy starts to pester you, and they are sometimes quite impudent, it is best not to notice him and keep moving.
9. Very often dog owners like to bring their pets to other dogs, so to speak, for acquaintance. This is mistake.
When you walk with your dog, of course, it is better to bypass all unfamiliar dogs. Even if your dog is not pugnacious, but on its own territory, that is, in its usual, familiar place, it will be overly self-confident, and on foreign territory it will be more than modest. Both can lead to conflict.
It has been noticed that in a free state (not on a leash), dogs are less aggressive. But aggressiveness increases if the owner is nearby, if he tries to tenderly admonish his dog, raises his voice, or, even worse, tries to drive away someone else's dog.
Conflicts arise quite easily between males, more often - of different weight categories. But big dogs are more lenient towards dwarf breeds. Very small puppies are very rare, but they can cause aggressive behavior in bitches, and from 6-9 months in males. In addition, an unfamiliar dog, even a healthy-looking dog, can be a source of pathogens for a wide variety of diseases.