June 8, 2012
Posted in Pet Training

Dog has long been considered man's best friend and although this old adage goes way back, there are some facts owners might be surprised to learn when it comes to their faithful sidekicks.

Social butterflies

Dogs are naturally social creatures who long to gain acceptance from both their canine and human "packs." Although it may seem as if your dog is fine with playing second fiddle to you, its master, when dogs are in a pack, they play by different rules. There is an alpha dog who rules the roost, so in reality your dog is simply associating you as the alpha – as long as you train it correctly from the get-go.

What are dogs fearful of?

It's a fact that it's easier to traumatize an animal than a human and fear can be more debilitating to a dog than causing it actual physical pain. Because of this, you should always try to train your pooch through positive reinforcement instead of yelling at it when it does something wrong. Yelling can actually cause the dog to behave worse as it will shut down in fear. Always train your dog using a reward system such as offering it Greenies Dental Treats for Dogs when it does something right and trying a command again if it performs it incorrectly.

How temperament and appearance connect

How a dog looks outwardly can be a good indicator of how it feels inside as well. If you feed your dog a high-quality pet food that contains lean meats, fresh produce and no fillers, it's coat and skin should be shiny and flexible. At the same time, if its coat is starting to look unkempt or if the dog isn't grooming itself like it used to, it could be an indicator that a more serious underlying problem is happening. Some dogs can start to look disheveled if they're suffering from a stomach problem or even if they are developing painful arthritis. These issues will make a dog less likely to care about how it looks due to the pain. If you notice these signs, take the dog to the vet as he or she can diagnose the problem and offer treatment. For example if the dog develops arthritis, the vet may start it on supplements that contain glucosamine for dogs like Dasuquin or pet drugs like Metacam or Previcox to ease the pain.

A dog's demeanor can also change if it's feeling anxious or scared – most dogs' hair on their backs will stand up straight in these situations.
 

Related posts:

1. Not your dog’s favorite family member?