Think of what the world would be like if humans and dogs hadn’t formed their unique partnership all those thousands of years ago. Dogs have influenced every corner of human life, as humans have influenced theirs, often to the point where they do not resemble their wolf ancestors in the slightest. For hunting, guarding, or simple companionship, nothing beats a dog. They Are TrustworthyThe one indisputable thing about dogs is you can trust them with everything. Tell them your deepest, darkest secret, and no one will ever know. They can’t even be called as a witness if you commit a crime in front of them. Of course, they'll miss you when you’re in jail, but they’ll be waiting till you’re out. Remember Greyfriars Bobby, the little Skye terrier who sat by the grave of his master for 10 years till he himself passed on at age 16. Anyone Can Have OneYou may have seen photographs of people and dogs who look just like each other. But the compatibility of a dog to its person and its person’s environment is more than skin or fur deep. A tiny dog like a Chihuahua is perfectly happy in a studio apartment, but such a small space is not ideal for a St. Bernard. If someone in the household is allergic, there are dogs that are hypoallergenic. Indeed, there are dogs that have no fur at all, such as the Mexican hairless, and these types don’t spread dander around. Not only is there a dog for every type of person, but anyone can go to the shelter or a reputable breeder and have one. Keep in mind that tigers and some of the more exotic pets take special permits and aren't usually happy in human captivity. They Are Great for Mental HealthIt is not uncommon for a dog parent to claim that the dog kept him or her sane through periods of isolation whether that isolation arose from a pandemic or other disaster natural or man-made. A dog does not care about the things that drive humans crazy, such as deadly viruses. They need to go for their walks or play in the backyard. They need to be watered and fed and brushed and combed and cuddled by their humans at the end of the day. For a dog, there is nothing else. The pleasures of having a dog are many, especially when times are tough. They are completely trustworthy, and there’s a dog for everyone, from the elegant Afghan hound to the irresistible mutt found in the shelter. They are a boon to mental health. Truly, dogs and humans were meant for each other. Here’s another article you might like: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Dog More Active Many dog owners become annoyed when their pet bites, digs, begs, scratches, or barks. Here are some great solutions for three common bad dog behaviors that can help you and your pet get along better.
Biting Puppies bite for several reasons. Like babies, when puppies are little, they explore the world through using their mouths. They tend to bite more when they are tired or teething. You can train your puppy to stop biting by refusing to reward it for biting. If your puppy (or dog) nips at you, stop all play and fun interaction for 5-10 seconds—no talking, no eye contact—then resume play. If he keeps nipping and biting, stop the fun again, and stop your interaction even more clearly by standing up or leaving the room. Repeating this cycle can help discourage your dog’s bad behavior and train him to stop biting. If your puppy is teething, you can try bitter apple, lemon juice, and diluted vinegar or hot pepper. Barking Again, like babies, dogs cry and bark for many reasons. You should first understand the reasons why your dog might be barking in order to stop it. Sometimes dogs bark to get attention. If this is the reason your dog is barking, you should ignore his barking until he stops. If you interact with him at all through talking, eye contact, or physical touch, you will reward him for barking. If you wait to interact with him until he completely stops barking, he will get the message that barking for attention is unacceptable. Your dog could also be barking because he is stimulated by something, like passerby, cars, or another dog. In this case, you can train your dog to stop barking by desensitizing him to the stimulus. For example, your dog barks when he is around other dogs, then start desensitizing him by introducing him to other dogs at a distance. As you carefully bring your dog closer to the other dog, reward him with treats. If the other dog moves away or out of sight, stop giving your dog treats. This will teach him that his stimulus, or another dog, is positive and will bring rewards, so he won’t bark. Begging The solution to solving this problem is simple: never give food to your dog from the table. Each time you break this rule, your dog will learn to expect rewards from begging. By refusing to reward your dog with food from the table, you can teach him to stop begging. Dogs learn through rewards and punishments. In most cases, you can teach your dog to stop behaving badly through rewarding good behavior and punishing bad behavior. Finally, be patient, and remember that learning takes time. Here’s another article you might like: 5 Ways to Help Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy |
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