You invest a lot in the well-being of your dog. But can you speak his language? Do your hear him when he's telling you he's relaxed? Or perhaps feeling a little anxious? Dogs have a well-developed physical language all their own that can tell you how they're feeling at any particular moment. Decoding the message your dog is sending takes a little practice, but it's well worth the results: a better understanding of your dog. Remember, body language varies by breed. While no one expression says it all, here are some common ways dogs communicate.
A relaxed dog exhibits:
Wide open, playful eyes
Relaxed ears
Play bowing (front torso down, front legs extended)
Wagging tail
An anxious dog exhibits:
Prolonged direct eye contact
Ears and tail are tense and standing up
Raised hackles (the hair along the spine)
Lip curling and exposed teeth
Tail down between legs, tense back
As mentioned, the language varies by breed. Some expressions are more dominant in one breed and hard to read in others. However, if anything about your dog's behavior tells you your dog is feeling fearful or aggressive, use caution.
Howling :
Dogs howl for a variety of reasons, one of which is to communicate with the pack. Most dogs howl at one time or another, and when they do it only occasionally, it's usually not a problem. But if your dog is howling morning, noon, and night, try some of these ideas to quiet him down.
Chewing :
Puppies use their mouths to explore their new worlds. (Gee, this is interesting. Wonder what it tastes like?) Other animals chew to keep their teeth short, and some do it when they're bored. But if your pet is chewing on your shoes or furniture or munching on the kids' homework, both you and the pet (not to mention the young student) are in trouble.
Pets and Weather
No place like home.No matter what the weather, the best way to ensure comfort and safety of your pet is to keep it where you are comfortable and safe - in your house. Consider offering your pet unlimited access to your house during weather extremes such as the hot, humid days of summer or the icy, cold days of winter.
As pets spend more time indoors, other issues may arise.
Socialization and Adjustment
Like children, puppies need a variety of positive experiences in order to become confident, well adjusted adults. As part of their upbringing, puppies should learn to get along with other dogs, children, and other people, and to accept the many strange sights, sounds, and experiences that are part of everyday life.)
