Dog habits and their meaning

For many decades, dogs have served people as loyal and reliable helpers. Fully communicate with the pet will not work if you do not understand his behavior. Every dog ​​lover is interested in learning about their thoughts and intentions. In fact, it is not so difficult, enough to learn the basic habits.

Logic and analytics in the behavior of dogs are absent. From birth, they are led by instincts. Over time, puppies begin to duplicate the behavior of the mother, but the main teacher is still personal experience. A disheveled stuffed toy will no longer be of interest if the whole story ends with an unpleasant taste, pain or fear.

With age, the dog learns to adapt and interact with the outside world. An adult dog does not follow the example of other individuals, which is important to consider.

Dog behavior is composed of a specific set of reactions. Some of them can be adjusted, others - to control. Correction usually consists of rewards, restrictions, rarely sedatives. Dog handlers and experienced dog owners have several types of reactions.

• Food. This is the initial and dominant reaction. Even for a puppy in 2 months, there is a basic need for food. Hunger provokes the animal to take active steps to get food. This is the oldest reaction that is based entirely on instincts. The reflexes that are formed by using food as the main stimulus are the strongest. Dressing based on such reactions is the most effective.

• Defensive. It may be acquired or congenital. Such a reaction should protect the dog from pain, danger and any threat. It manifests itself in three variants: an active position of defense, a cowardly-vicious behavior and a passive one.

• Approximate. It manifests itself in contact with an unknown situation. It is to study everything that is around. This reaction passes quickly and does not require special measures on the part of people.

• Search engine. This species is due to congenital and physiological reflexes. This reaction is considered important for the survival of the dog. In most cases, it is not manifested in everyday life in a comfortable environment, but is present in the mind of the animal. Such a reaction usually develops in service breeds in the process of training.

• The behavioral reaction of affection. Aggressive and inadequate behavior, fear of people is a vivid example of this type of unformed reaction. It completely determines the relationship with the owner. This group includes all the behavior that the dog shows love and devotion, the desire to protect. If necessary, this reaction is adjusted in the process of training with a dog handler.

The owners can not always meet the needs of the dog simply because they can not understand its signals. Pet behavior is always something reasonable, it is always an attempt to convey some information. It is worth considering the peculiarities of the manifestation of emotions and intentions in dogs.

• Joy. Dogs of any age exhibit it equally. The dog tries to jump on his hands, lick his hands or face. Cheerful barking and running around a person is a typical manifestation of joy.The dog can invite the owner to the overall game, bring their toys.

• Goodwill Such habits are caused not only by external factors, but also by the breed, character of a particular dog. A slight waving of the tail with a relaxed body and slightly raised ears is a good sign. The latter signals a share of curiosity towards a person or an animal.

• Dominance. It is easiest to understand such habits; dogs always express them clearly. Increased sexual activity is a prime example. The dog jumps on the owner or family during rut or heat. A pet can exercise its authority over other animals by taking away food or toys. Behavior usually requires correction in the form of training for submission and obedience.

• Aggression. Loud barking and throws in the direction of a person (animal) with attempts to bite - these are obvious signs of such a reaction. At the same time, zoo aggression and aggression towards people are divided. The first may be associated with the characteristics of the breed. The course of dressing is obligatory, and in some cases it is worth thinking about soothing medication.

• Ready to attack. Such a habit has similarity with a friendly reaction, so it is important to remember the differences. The dog wags its tail with a small amplitude and directs it strictly upwards.

• Subordination. The main feature in the demonstration of the abdomen. Upon contact with a larger or adult animal, the dog lets himself be smelled, lies on his stomach, and then shows it. Puppies and young animals often behave this way until, for certain reasons, they cannot dominate the pack.

• Fatigue. The habits in this case are very similar to human, when observed, they are easy to recognize. Slow and heavy movements, combined with constant attempts to sit or lie down.

• Fear and stress. The behavior may be different depending on the characteristics of a particular dog and the situation itself. Shivering and trying to run to the owner, hide behind his feet - these are bright signs of fear. There are cases of aggression and involuntary urination. If this happens on a walk, then you need to take the dog home and help calm down.

The expression of emotions can often be defined intuitively. The reactions of dogs are in many ways similar to humans. However, canine behavior is characterized by special rituals that are not always clear. It is worth more to consider the behavior and its value.

• The desire to rub against rotten food and passion for everything decomposing. From the side it looks pretty unpleasant, but it has a special meaning. Hunting instincts push the pet to disguise.

• Involuntary urination when meeting with the owner. Manifested with a mild form of a kind of psychological disorder. The pet so recognizes the leader in the person that he feels insecure, loses his personality.

• Howl. The dog makes such sounds to inform other relatives about its location. Sometimes a dog may howl because of loneliness. It is also an effective way to calm and relieve tension.

• Hatred for cats is actually not at all. In fact, this is just a manifestation of the hunting instinct.

• Friendship with cats. Occurs in situations where the dog and the cat live under the same lid. And it is the representative of the cat will be the commander or even a tyrant in this pair.

• Pulling paws in a dream that looks like running. Sometimes combined with barking or whining.This is a clear sign that the dog is seeing a realistic and colorful dream.

Inappropriate behavior on the part of the dog, for example, aggression or antisocial manifestations, are adjusted independently or with the help of a dog handler during the process of training. Most of the dangerous or unacceptable habits pass quickly. The owner's behavior should always be predictable for the pet. Follow these rules when responding to pet habits such as:

• the owner must always be friendly, there is not a single situation where the dog deserves being rude to himself;
• if a person wants to change the direction of movement during a walk, then you need to warn the dog with a gesture or a look; It is necessary to call on a nickname, but not to pull the leash;
• you should not behave hysterically and erratically, yell and pull the leash in an unpleasant situation, when meeting with someone else's pet, as this will provoke fear and aggression towards other animals, relax your hand with the leash and call the dog by name;
• the owner must be able to behave calmly, without overestimating the danger of the situation, panic and aggression are contagious, the dog may begin to behave inadequately;
• when communicating with a dog, it is important to be guided by one's own and her feelings; attempts to influence roughly and physically force the dog to be afraid of the owner, and not to obey.

If positive communication does not give the desired result, the dog behaves aggressively and threatens health, then you should seek help from specialists. A veterinarian, a dog handler and a zoologist together will be able to calculate the primary source of habits and make up a course of corrective measures. There are the following steps to correct the behavior:

1. building tandem relations - the owner must earn the place of leader;
2. stopping negative behavior with a sound signal - use loud claps or whistling; any sharp, jerky sound fits;
3. encouraging positive behavior by affection, food, praise and stroking;
4. the course of training at the cynologist to consolidate the desired result - classes together with a specialist will help improve behaviors and habits, build confidence.

To learn how to understand a dog according to its habits, see the following video.