Source: Wikipedia
If you’re the proud owner of a canine companion, then we don’t need to tell you how attached to them we humans can become. They greet us after a stressful day at the office and cheer us up when we’re feeling blue. The bond that you can share with your pet pooch is unrivalled in its rewards. However, as dog owners we have to learn to become quite intuitive in order to understand how our dog is feeling. A dog can’t communicate, in the same way as humans can. So it’s up to us as their owners to learn to read their moods.
If you’ve got a close relationship with your dog, you probably already naturally do this to some extent. You can probably already tell if your dog is excitable or nervous. But the key is being able to spot the early warning signs of behavioral problems. So, in order to stop any issues from developing in the first place, we’ve compiled this handy guide. It’s full of advice that every dog owner should know.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Chasing Their Tail
We can all probably remember a time when we’ve watched as a dog chases its own tail. This can seem funny to a casual bystander. But the reality is it can actually be an indication that the dog is stressed or confused. If you’ve noticed this behavior in your dog, it’s worth investigating a little further. Ask yourself – has the dog experienced any change, or upset that might provide an explanation? This could include recently moving house or a sudden loss or bereavement in the family. It’s surprising just how sensitive pets can be to such significant life events. Be aware of the problem and keep a close eye on your dog to see if the behavior ceases of its own accord. If after a period of a couple of weeks you’re still concerned, seek the advice of a vet.
Excessive Barking
Dogs are going to bark from time to time and generally it doesn’t cause any problem. But, if your dog is barking at inappropriate times this can cause a lot of embarrassment. If your dog likes to bark at cyclists or small children, this could be as a result of poor socialization. Dogs tend to bark when they feel nervous or threatened. Getting your pup used to such things from an early age is essential to prevent this behavior from happening. It’s also a good opportunity for you to grab the dog leash and get out and about in the fresh air.
Source: Public Domain Image
Separation Anxiety
You might think it’s adorable that your dog pines for you whilst you’re at work every day. But let us tell you that it isn’t much fun for the dog. It’s often caused by a dog feeling insecure. So, make sure that you don’t make a fuss when leaving for work in the morning. The more natural you act about leaving your dog, the more at ease it will feel with the situation.
So, if you apply what you’ve learnt to the way that you raise your own dog, you might just be surprised at how much their behavior improves.