Understanding Dogs Behaviours – 11 Expert Articles (And Great Suggestions!)

Understanding Dogs

Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Kunthida

Understanding Dogs – Why Your Dog Whines?

If you lacked the ability to communicate with words, how would you express yourself to others?

This is the challenge confronting your pooch. He can only bark, howl, growl, or whine in order to tell you what he’s feeling. This can confuse and frustrate owners who are unable to infer meaning from their dog’s sounds.

Each expression has a different purpose. For example, if he barks, he’s doing so to make a statement about something; if he howls, he’s communicating with others far away; if he growls, that means he is issuing a warning.

A whine is basically a request for attention or care, but that request may have different triggers.

If you can determine the reason your canine is whining, you’ll be better able to identify whether he truly needs your attention. With this in mind, we’ll describe the most common reasons dogs make this sound.

Learning The Habit Early In Life

The behavior forms early. When your pooch was a puppy, he learned to whine in order to get his mother’s attention. His mother likely found the sound to be impossible to ignore. Her quick response reinforced the behavior. Thus, at an early age, your dog learned that whining resulted in his receiving his mother’s attention.

When puppies are first adopted, they continue the behavior until it becomes clear that doing so fails to produce the same result. If their owner responds in a manner that is similar to their mother’s response, the habit is further reinforced.

If the owner responds only to check whether the pup is okay, but leaves soon after, the habit wanes. Adult canines that persistently whine do so because they have learned the behavior is still effective.

Separation Anxiety

Many dogs whine when they are left alone. They become anxious when nobody is present, especially their owner. In severe cases, a canine might start whining when his owner leaves him with other people. It is his way of expressing his desire to be near his owner.

Excitement Or Anticipation

A lot of canines begin whining because they are excited about something. Triggers can include anything that grabs your pooch’s attention and creates an expectation. For example, he might hear you arrive home from work and stand by the front door to greet you. If he hears you talking on the other side of the door, he may start to whine in anticipation.

Owner’s Attention

Some dogs whine simply because they crave their owner’s attention. For example, they might yearn for their owner’s direct eye contact. Or, they may want their owners to pet or praise them. Any response that implies their owner’s interest – even yelling – can seem desirable to them.

Discomfort Or Pain

If your pooch is suffering from discomfort or pain, he will likely express himself through whining. With this trigger, the behavior is often instinctive; he may not even realize he is doing it.

For example, it’s not uncommon for canines to whine while recovering after a surgical procedure. The sound is not meant to draw attention from their owner. Instead, it is an automatic response to the pain.

In most cases (with the exception of pain as a trigger), whining is similar to nearly any undesirable behavior: it can be modified with training and repetition. That said, curbing the behavior in your dog may require patience, especially if he has spent his entire life accustomed to people responding to his whining.

Give him plenty of exercise and make sure his diet is healthy. Incorporate dog treats and a clicker to reinforce desired behavior.

A single click and his favorite treat after he stops whining will gradually teach him the value of resisting the urge. Over time, he’ll learn that his whining does not produce the results he wants.

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Understanding Dogs: Why Do Dogs Snore?

About a third of dog owners permit their dogs to sleep on the bed with them. Many single men and women get company from their dogs in the day and the night time in this way. The lovers of no other pets permit their pets to sleep with them as much as dog owners do.

It is handy that dogs have a similar sleep pattern to humans, whereas cats tend to like hunting at night. Dogs also seem to dream and enter into the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep stage.

Every dog owner has seen his dog running and barking quietly in his sleep. What else can they be doing other than dreaming? When a dog is sound asleep like this, it can be as hard to wake him up as any child and when they do wake up they appear to be dozy and they shake themselves awake.

Some dogs have been bred for definite purposes and this has lead to facial traits which have given rise to breathing abnormalities. Pugs and other dogs with squashed faces often breathe very noticeably in their sleep and at other occasions in the day.

Some dogs even snore and some snore very noisily. If your dog sleeps with you, this can be a problem. The reasons why dogs snore are usually the same ones that lead to humans snoring, although, as stated above one of the main reasons for breathing problems is breeding.

One cause of snoring is a constraint of the nasal passages due to an allergy. If you suspect that this is the case, you can begin by thinking whether you have introduced anything new to your home or whether you use a new air freshener. If you cannot find the cause yourself, you might have to call in a vet.

One of the principal causes of snoring in humans is being overweight and the same is true of dogs, particularly the smaller breeds. If your dog has just started snoring, maybe he just put on that additional pound that broke the camel’s back, so to speak.

If you suspect that this might be the reason for your dog’s snoring, the obvious answer is to help him to lose weight through activity and dieting. There is a good chance that that will stop the snoring.

If all else fails and you are being driven to distraction by your dog’s incessant snoring, there is some minor remedial surgery available to open up the nasal passages. It is a quite routine operation that does not take long and should result in both you and your dog getting a better night’s sleep..

If you choose to go down this route, ring around a few vets to get prices as the prices that vets can charge differ considerably.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with researching What to do if your dog eats chocolate.

Understanding Dogs Mood

As humans, when we are faced with an outside danger we tend to do one or all of three things. Our first reaction is to fight, flee or freeze. These are basic survival instincts that we are born with, just like our pets.

Does you pet exhibit any of these reactions to certain situations? Responding to fearful situations is a normal, routine behavior. If your pet exhibits an abnormal behavior, this can be a unlearned through training over a period of time.

Your dog can exhibit symptoms of anxiety in ways such as excessive barking, uncontrollable urination or whining. These are triggered by either visible stresses or separation. The most common stress a dog experiences is separation anxiety.

Constant and unwarranted fear of a certain sound that can cause your dog to react such as fireworks or thunderstorm is considered a phobia. These are the most common fears that are associated with a phobia for dogs. They may have experienced something in the past and are associating that with a memory causing a response.

As dogs get older, they may experience more separation anxiety then in the past. This can be caused by the decline in memory and thoughts. Anxieties and phobia see their onset around the beginning of social development which is about 12 to 36 months. Between 8 to 10 months they may experience a fear or withdrawal which is normal.

If your dog is withdrawn or trembling he may suffer from phobias or anxiety. The submissive move of tucking the tail between the legs is also a sign of mild fear. Learning to see the signs of phobias and anxieties is the first step to understanding your dog’s emotions.

One reason for the manifestation of these conditions is illness. An illness or physical situation can cause you pet to develop phobias or anxiety. Puppies that are less than 14 weeks old and have not had social interaction might show signs of being fearful.

If you adopt a dog that came from a prior abusive situation, they might suffer some form of anxiety. Separation issues can be the cause of a previous abandonment experience. Whatever the issues are, be sure that you continue to nurture the dog and work on positive affirmation when you see efforts being made to curb the behavior.

As with any issue concerning our pets, we do suggest that you visit your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis when possible. Some dogs affected might respond to behavioral modifications but it’s not a guarantee. Many of these behavioral issues can be treated with medication but those sometimes can take up to 2 weeks to take effect.

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Do You Have A Lethargic Dog? (Understanding Dogs Behavior)

When ever one thinks about a dog boundless volumes of vitality is what one customarily thinks of, unfortunately the sad reality is that dogs may well become sick, these health problems can range from genuinely mild and unassuming to life threatening.

This is the key reason why an on going relationship with a good vet is essential, and having a good familiarity of dog health symptoms, because having a lethargic dog is never gratifying.

Looking for a Veterinarian

It is vital that before you notice any dog sickness symptoms start popping up such as the dog won’t eat, excessive drooling in dogs and dehydration in dogs, you preferably should have a reliable vet on hand, so here is a guideline to finding one.

The first step to take is to talk to pet owning neighbours and friends for a recommendation, secondly you really should get in touch with a vet as shortly as possible to get your puppy on their first check up.

You have to question the vet on any details that you find some thoughts about your dogs patterns such as the dog won’t eat, dog drooling or why you believe you have a lethargic dog.

Communication is the base of a great relationship with the veterinarian, you really should come organised with the health records which ought to be granted by the shelter or breeder. Evident queries to ask and learn about are, feeding, shots, worm, flea control, toilet coaching and any dog health symptoms to look out for.

You must never ever worry about asking questions that you feel will make you look dumb, this period could possibly be used to evaluate the veterinarians attention and care towards you and your puppy, remember to note that the vet has listened to it all, so you will not look particularly worrisome.

Understanding Dogs – When to phone call the Vet

This is a concise list of moments a journey to the vet is needed, as generally treatments can wait a while and other times it is necessary as soon as possible. Incidents when a call is vital are:

_ The dog won’t eat and hasn’t eaten in 24 hours, this is a pretty serious condition and may very well be the fault of bloat which is perilous to dogs and effects larger dogs more persistently, furthermore it will provoke dehydration in dogs which will further more worsen the issue.

_ Dislocation or cracks of any bones. _ Loss of consciousness _ High temperature _ Dog shaking, sneezing or dog drooling continually _ You have got a lethargic dog, by this we really mean they are uncharacteristically depressed, and lazy, even when it comes to walks and feeding.

If you uncover your puppy or dog is exhibiting any of these dog health symptoms it is imperative to call and make an consultation with the veterinarian.

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Understanding DogsHow Dogs Respond To Each Other When Meeting For The First Time

When canines meet for the first time, their encounter may remain friendly, or quickly deteriorate into a fight. Knowing how to identify the telltale signs of each situation will help you protect your pet and others from injury.

It’s also important to be aware of the factors that can trigger a confrontation. That way, you can avoid circumstances that are likely to lead to problems.

Below, we’ll describe the manner in which most canines interact when they first come across each other. You’ll learn how each investigates the other animal to gather information, and gain a level of comfort. We’ll also explain the reasons many dogs get off to a rocky start when they meet, including engaging in full-blown fights.

Understanding Dogs: When Both Pets Are Sociable

Dogs that have received socialization training are usually receptive to meeting new pets. In fact, unless they have had negative experiences with other canines in the past, they are likely to be excited by each other’s presence.

They will display signs of being relaxed, such as keeping their mouths open, and allowing their tongues to hang. You’ll also see their tails wagging, which implies a natural affection.

They will normally approach each other from the side rather than from the front. This is normal as each animal watches for signs of tenseness or stress in the other. When it becomes clear that each dog is friendly and receptive to further investigation, sniffing begins.

The animals gain insight about each other by sniffing their respective backsides. They might then nudge each other’s bodies, or encourage the other to participate in play. Healthy, sociable canines tend to follow this pattern.

Understanding Dogs – Getting Off On The Wrong Foot

In some cases, one or both animals will be on edge in the presence of the other. This can occur for several reasons. For example, one of the dogs might wish to establish himself as an authority over the other.

He will display dominance by approaching the other canine with a steady stare and rigid posture. The second animal can either return the challenge or defer to the first animal. Deference might include rolling on his back to expose his stomach or simply averting his eyes.

As long as one of the dogs is willing to yield, the initial confrontation is unlikely to escalate. Both pets may begin playing together once each other’s status has been clarified. However, if neither animal is willing to concede, a fight is likely.

Understanding Dogs – The Socially Incompetent Canine

Many owners neglect to provide socialization training to their dogs during the early developmental phase of their lives (i.e. the first four months).

These pets often enter adulthood distrustful of other canines. When they observe another dog, they become nervous and display their fear through barking, growling, and assuming a combative pose.

If a socially incompetent dog is on a leash, his behavior may be even more aggressive. This is because his leash prevents his escape, forcing him to face the presumed threat. In such circumstances, owners must maintain tight control over their pets, defusing the situation to prevent injury.

Understanding Dogs – Reasons Conflicts Occur

The location in which canines meet for the first time plays a large role in their interaction. If they meet in the home of one of the animals, a confrontation is more likely.

The canine that lives in the home may perceive the other animal’s presence as an encroachment. When dogs meet in a neutral location, such as a park, confrontations are rare. Afterward, they can usually be introduced to each other’s homes without problems.

Another reason confrontations occur on-leash is because one or both canines consider their owners to be incapable of offering them protection. They believe they must fend for themselves in hostile circumstances.

Dogs normally enjoy quick camaraderie with each other. In many cases, they begin playing together within moments of meeting for the first time.

However, realize that canines can behave in a tense or aggressive manner for several reasons. Learn to read your pet’s body language so you can take steps to prevent fights.

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