Archive: June 5, 2022

Ændringer i min hunds opførsel

My Mutt Ace er blevet en meget mere social og selvsikker hund.

Jeg adopterede Ace i marts 2007, da han var nøjagtigt et år gammel. Han var meget venlig på dette tidspunkt, men også underdanig og endda genert. Han vidste ikke, hvordan han skulle lege med andre hunde, selvom han glædede sig over at være omkring dem. Han hilste ikke ivrig nye mennesker offentligt, selvom han ville acceptere kærlighed, hvis nogen henvendte sig til ham.

I dag slikker han heldigvis andre hunde i ansigtet og ville meget gerne gå hjem med enhver tilfældig fremmed!

Jeg har opdaget nogle yderligere ændringer i min hunds opførsel i år. Han er nu 4,5 år gammel, langt ind i sit voksne liv. Jeg ser ikke nogen af ​​disse opførsler som gode eller dårlige, de er bare tegn på, at ACE bliver en meget mere godt justeret hund.

Alle disse opførsler er blevet synlige i de sidste seks måneder:

Tegn på en meget mere selvsikker hund

1. Mine kæledyrshundmærker.

Ace var oprindeligt en squatter. Jeg så ikke min kæledyrshund løfte benet en gang for at tisse på noget i mindst tre år. Han er naturligvis en underdanig kæledyrshund uden behov for at markere sit territorium.

Han tilbragte også det første år i sit liv med en familie, der bundede ham ud i deres forhaven, hvor der ikke var andet end græsplæne at tisse på. De gik ikke ham, så han havde ingen muligheder for at tisse på træer eller hegn. Han var ikke omkring andre hunde, så han lærte aldrig opførslen. Han kom aldrig ind i “pissing -konkurrencer.”

I en alder af 4 er min kæledyrshund endelig blevet en mand. Det var faktisk lidt chokerende at se ham løfte benet for første gang og tisse på et træ! Nu føler han behovet for at markere alt fra de små pletter af græsplæne, som andre hunde har kigget på, til pinde, stykker affald og endda svampe. OK, han er lidt ude af kontrol med sin markering til tider.

Det er tydeligt, at Ace lærte adfærden fra de andre hunde, vi har hængt ud med gennem min kæledyrs-siddende og kæledyrs hundevandring. Og måske fordi vi har meget flere hunde til at blive hos os, føler han behovet for at markere ”hans” territorium.

2. Min kæledyrshund humper andre hunde.

Når Ace møder nye hunde, i stedet for automatisk at påtage sig den underdanige rolle, går han nu gennem det normale kæledyrshundritual for at finde ud af et hierarki. Ja, dette indikerer, at han prøver at pukke andre hunde fra tid til anden. Ni gange ud af ti sætter den anden kæledyrshund ess i sin plads ideel væk. Af og til er Ace den meget mere dominerende hund.

3. Min kæledyrshund knurrer mod andre hunde.

Ace plejede at slå sig tilbage, hvis en anden kæledyrshund ville have noget. Nu hævder han sin plads, mad eller legetøj, hvis en anden kæledyrshund udfordrer ham. Han vil knurres, hæve læberne og hæve halen. Dette indikerer ikke, at min kæledyrshund er besiddende eller aggressiv. Han siger: ”Hej, dette er min! Gå væk!” Hvis den anden kæledyrshund er meget mere dominerende, går Ace tilbage.

Vores dominerende kattebjælker vil forsøge at kræve pladsen omkring Aces mad, fordi det fungerede i cirka tre år. Nu lægger Ace sit hoved lavt, knurrer og holder sin egen, indtil Beamer bakker af. Dette er den eneste gang Beamer er underdanig for ACE. Gennem enhver normal dag vil Beamer tage Aces seng og tennisbold og vil endda fange Ace på trappen, men Beamer er ikke længere i stand til at stjæle Aces mad.

4. Min kæledyrshund leger med andre hunde i Pet Dog Park.

Det plejede at være helt “normalt” for min kæledyrshund at forsømme alle andre hunde i Pet Dog Park. Han løb rundt og søgte obsessivt efter tennisbolde uden engang at erkende andre hunde, selvom de jagede ham, humpede ham eller forsøgte at kæmpe.

Jeg er meget glad for at rapportere, at ACE under et nyligt besøg på kæledyr hundepark lykkeligt hilste de 10 eller deromkring andre hunde i parken, mens de ikke engang tjekker tennisbollerne. Han snuste hver hund, regnede ud et hierarki med hver hund, spillede, jagede og kæmpede med hver hund. Det var så dejligt at gå til Pet Dog Park og se min kæledyrshund faktisk socialisere sig. Vi kan spille hente i vores egen baghave enhver dag.

Efter ca. 20 minutter hentede Ace naturligvis en tennisbold og bragte den til en stakkels dame. Jeg drøftede at redde kvinden, men hun var en af ​​de mennesker, der er fascineret af en kæledyrshund, der henter. “Wow! Hvordan trænede du ham til at gøre dette?! ”

Åh, barn …

Hvorfor har min hunds opførsel ændret sig?

Jeg har brugt kæledyrssmål og kæledyrshund, der går/løb som mit fuldtidsjob i meget mere end to år nu. Ace socialiserer med en masse andre hunde hver dag. Han har lært, hvordan man leger og interagerer med hunde. Han har lært at være en hund, og han trives.

Den adfærd, jeg har bemærket, er tegn på dominans. For et par år siden har jeg måske betragtet ”dominans” som dårlig. Det er ikke. Der er meget mere dominerende hunde, og der er hunde, der har tendens til at være tilhængere. Det er på samme måde med mennesker. Ace er absolut stadig på den underdanige side. Det er bare det, at han hævder sig bedre, end han plejede at gøre.

Nogle af ændringerne i Aces opførsel kunne også være på grund af hoW Jeg behandler og interagerer med ham. Jeg går færre strukturerede vandreture og løber med ham, end jeg gjorde for tre år siden. Han går meget mere på “pakningstransport” med andre hunde, hvor jeg er mindre fokuseret på ACE. Det er meget mere sandsynligt, at jeg inviterer ham op på sofaen eller min seng i disse dage. Jeg giver ham meget mere kærlighed end nogensinde, og vi tilbringer meget mere tid sammen nu. Han er meget, meget forkælet?

Generelt er jeg glad for min kæledyrshund, og hvor vi er kommet. Han er godt socialiseret. Jeg er afhængig af ham omkring alle andre hunde. Han lytter godt, og han vil gøre mig glad. Han er dog stadig en dellaboratorium og vil undre sig med enhver person, der holder mad eller en tennisbold. Jeg fornærmer mig ikke. Ace er bare at være den, han blev indikeret til at være – en klodset mutt, der elsker alle.

God dreng, ess.

Hvordan er din kæledyrshund blevet meget mere selvsikker for nylig?

Why Do Dogs Lean On You?

Do dogs lean on us out of dominance?

I saw a comment thread on reddit where everyone was saying how cute it is when their dogs lean on them for affection. most people said they like when their dogs lean on them, and they don’t seem to think anything of it, good or bad.

Then there were a few people who jumped in preaching Cesar-Millan talk, saying that a dog that leans on you is trying to assert his dominance. and of course this created all kinds of drama as people became overly emotional and defensive about “dominance theory.”

Here’s the thing: sometimes dogs do use their bodies to claim space or to get to an object first or to simply be in the lead. call it dominance. call it cute. call it whatever you want. It’s what dogs do.

But not a single person (except yours truly!) brought up the fact that many dogs will lean on their owners for security. They will lean on their owners because they are shy, fearful or insecure in that moment. They are not trying to dominate their owners. They are trying to feel safe.

Nine times out of 10, when dogs lean on us they really are just seeking attention. They like to be close to people. and yes, sometimes it’s rude.

Why dogs lean on us

My dogs Ace will come up and slam his side into my legs, wiggling his body into a U shape and whipping his tail every which way.

I don’t see this as dominance (although he does want my attention) or insecurity (although he does feel safer with me around). He’s just trying to connect with his best friend! og gæt hvad? Det virker!

I always bend down and give him a good butt scratch. “Good boy, Ace!”

But there are dog owners who don’t read into anything their dogs are telling them. everything the dog does is cute or funny to them, even when the dog is trying to communicate something. To them, a dog that leans couldn’t possibly be trying to say anything other than “I love you.”

And then there are dog owners who assume every action from a dog always means the same thing. Growling always represents dominance, for example. Or a wagging tail always represents happiness. Or leaning always represents friendship. Hmm …

In order to understand our dogs, we need to pay more attention to what they are trying to communicate during each specific situation.

Dogs can certainly block us with their bodies in order to gain access to what they want, but they will also lean on us in order to feel safe.

Here are some examples of when an insecure dog might lean on his owner:

1. shy dogs will typically lean on their owners in order to feel safe

My former foster dog Cosmo was a leaner.

He would lean on me when someone came to the door or when we attended an adoption event. This wasn’t because he was trying to dominate me. He was leaning on me in order to feel more secure.

Poor Cosmo was always stressed at adoption events. His ears would be back. He would avoid direct eye contact with people. He would pant with an open mouth. usually one front paw would be raised and tucked up into his chest. sometimes he trembled. sometimes he even growled at people.

No wonder no one was very interested in him during these events!

I made sure not to give Cosmo affection when he leaned on me for security. telling him “It’s OK. Det er ok. good boy,” would only teach him to continue looking to me for security. In order to help him grow as an individual and build his confidence, I had to teach him not to depend on me so much.

So I would block Cosmo with my hip or my elbow (I was usually sitting on the floor with him). Or I would simply move away or up into a chair. He would usually shift back in order to lean on me again, and I would move away again as well. When he was relaxed and lying next to me without touching, I would pet him calmly.

I know, I know. some of you are thinking, “But affection does not reinforce a dog’s fears.” Det er sandt. and I’m not saying you should correct a fearful dog. just look for ways to block some habits in order to slowly help the dog move on and grow.

See my post: Does affection reward a fearful dog?

Treats and favorite toys can also be very useful to help distract an insecure dog from everything going on. You can use treats to get him to think about something else like sit or stay and build his confidence that way. sometimes I would make Cosmo lie down and stay a foot away. then he would get the treat as a reward for maintaining distance. “Wow, what a good boy! So brave!”

2. Some dogs climb into their owners’ laps in order to feel more secure

Some little dogs will climb into their owners’ laps in order to feel more secure. big dogs try this as well, but it’s usually the smaller dogs that tremble in their owners’ arms because they fear something in the environment.Instead, the owner should place the dog on the ground and slowly help him understand that nothing bad happens in new situations. The owner should ignore the dog or move away when he frantically paws at her legs to get back up. She should give him a treat or pick him up only when he is calm or if the situation is truly risky for the little guy.

And of course, it’s important not to completely overwhelm the dog. If he’s fearful of new people and dogs it would be unfair to set him on the ground in the middle of a PetSmart or a street fair. but the owner should seek out less “scary” situations first and slowly challenge the dog more and more from there.

Some dogs will even become possessive of their owners, growling and biting from their owners’ arms if anyone gets too close. Of course they are going to be possessive. They don’t want to be removed from their “power source.”

But even these dogs are not barking out of dominance. They are barking up a storm because they are insecure. They are acting defensively.

So how can an owner fix this problem?

The same way as above. seek out situations that are not too overwhelming, and keep the dog on the ground. carrying him around will not help him build confidence.

Most little guys will right away try to jump back into their owners’ arms – their place of empowerment.

The owner should not allow this, not unless the dog is truly in danger.

If the dog tries to jump back into his owner’s lap, she should block him with her arm. If he makes it into her lap, she should stand and push him off or set him on the ground. If he starts growling and barking at people from her feet, she should put his leash on him and tether him away from her. She should reward him when he’s calm and not barking or crying.

The goal is to help the dog grow as an individual by weaning him away from his dependence on his owner.

See my post: how to stop my dog from guarding me.

3. Some dogs will hide between their owners’ legs at the dog park

When dogs hide between their owners’ legs at the dog park, many owners respond by petting the dog or talking to the dog.

Instead, it’s best to just step away. Fortsæt. Don’t allow the dog to hide behind you or under you. help the dog build his confidence by decreasing his dependence on you.

If the dog seems overly shy or fearful, just walk away from the other dogs, re-group and return again after a few seconds. You don’t want to overwhelm your dog too much by forcing him to interact right off the bat. check out the dog park during quieter hours and don’t plan on staying for long. If he plays for a few seconds and then seems overwhelmed, just quit while you are ahead. At least he played for a few seconds. That is a success.

Some dogs appreciate socializing in smaller groups just like some people like to socialize in smaller groups. Some dogs and some people get tired of socializing sooner than others. Heck, I’m one of the most introverted people I know! I can certainly relate to all those introverted dogs out there.

What have you noticed about your dog when he leans on you?

Is he usually seeking attention? Strøm? Sikkerhed? probably all of the above, depending on the situation. let us know in the comments!

Relaterede indlæg:

Why do dogs raise their hackles?

The most important info to put on a Dog’s ID tag

What’s the most important info to put on a dog’s ID tag?

Lad mig vide hvad du tænker.

My pets’ tags are simple. Their tags include their names and two phone numbers (my cell and my husband’s cell).

But is that the best info?

Obviously the more info you can put on the tags, the better.

One of my readers really impressed me when she said she fit the following on one nameplate:

dog’s name & “chipped”

telefonnummer

Licens nummer

rabies tag number

That’s a lot of important info crammed onto one little name plate!

It got me thinking … am I including enough info on my pets’ tags?!

This post is sponsored by dogIDs.

Important info to put on a dog’s ID tag

dogIDs is a business that sells personalized dog collars and ID tags. I asked the company if there is any additional info pet owners should include on the tags beyond the basic name, phone number and perhaps address. here were some suggestions:

1. medical needs

One idea the company suggested is to specify on the tag if your dog has any major medical issues.

For example, maybe your dog needs medication such as insulin and someone who finds your dog would have no way of knowing this otherwise.

2. Phone number on the actual collar

Another suggestion from dogIDs is to put your dog’s phone number right on the actual collar like we’ve done with Remy (below). This can be through embroidery or with a nameplate. Either way, your dog carries your number even if he loses his tag.

And obviously, make sure the number is current and working.

One of the most commonly encountered issues with lost pets is if they’re wearing tags at all, the info is sometimes out of date, according to Aurora Piacentino, senior manager of shelter operations for animal care Centers of new York City.

3. Your last name and zip code

The pet owner’s name and general vicinity like “Manhattan” or a zip code is also helpful, according to Piacentino. While the pet’s name is a nice touch, lost animals are likely to be stressed and overwhelmed, so it’s not essential.

4. Make sure your new dog has ID tags right away!

When you adopt a puppy—or especially an adult dog—make sure the dog has an ID tag right away, before you even leave the shelter or rescue group. At the very least, he should have a tag with the rescue group’s contact information.

I volunteer with a Labrador rescue and, sadly, at least once a year a newly adopted dog gets away from his new family the first day home. An ID tag is a lifesaver in these situations.

An example: Edward the Yorkshire terrier

Sarah Angst is a blogger who writes about Yorkshire terriers, and she told me about a similar experience with one of her foster dogs.

The Yorkie, Edward (pictured with his new mom), had just gotten adopted and his new family hadn’t gotten him a new collar yet. He was riding in the car while the family dropped the kids off at school, and he managed to escape during the commotion.

“He was roaming the streets for two days in the rain,” Angst said. “We spent countless hours and a sleepless night looking everywhere, posting on Facebook, talking to shelters and vets and putting up flyers.”

Thankfully, Edward was still wearing his old collar and tags Angst had gotten him, and she received a phone call that someone had found Edward.

Angst is a firm believer in microchips but without a collar and tag she said a regular person who finds your pet will have no way to contact you.

Piacentino made the same point:

“Anyone can see a tag and call a phone number—there’s no need to call a central database to access owner information; no need to visit a vet or shelter to scan for a microchip.”

After the experience with Edward, Angst recommends that pet owners:

Make sure to have recent photos of their pets for posting on Facebook and fliers

Always keep a collar and tag on their pets.

Angst said in the past she would sometimes wait a few days before putting a dog’s collar back on after a bath. That changed after her experience with Edward.

“Make the collar a priority,” she said.

Giveaway – Win a paw print ID tag for your pet

*This giveaway has ended.

dogIDs is giving away a free paw print ID tag to one lucky reader of That Mutt.

At gå ind:

Just leave a comment below. let me know which one of your pets could use a new tag.

The tag includes the pet’s name on the front and up to 4 lines of information on the back.

I’ll choose the winner at random on Wednesday may 18. must have a U.S. mailing address to win.

(Available sizes are 1” diameter and 1 1/4“ diameter.)

Which one of your pets could use an updated ID tag?

Let mig ved i kommentarerne!

*Du kan også bruge kuponkode, som mutt ved kassen for at spare 10% på alle produkter fra Dogids.

Relaterede indlæg:

Hvordan hunde -ID -tags kan redde et kæledyrs liv – 3 eksempler (Dogids blog)

De bedste vandtætte hundehalsbånd

Yorkie Splash & Shine (Sarah Angsts blog)