Training & Exercise

Pamper Your Pooch

Butt sniffing

Think Like a Dog

When people meet for the first time they greet each other with a handshake. When two canines meet, they well, uh, sniff each others butts. Humans rely on the spoken word, canines rely on scents and body posture. If you want to learn how to read your dog so you can communicate with him, you need to learn what is called Dog speak. Dog speak means you learn to think like a dog. This is a great way to pamper your dog.

Learning Dog Speak

Human Pack LeaderDogs need to know where they rank in the family hierarchy. There is the pack leader, the alpha dog and the lower ranking members. YOU-are supposed to be the pack leader. Few dogs actually want to be pack leader, they want someone else to be in charge and are more than willing to allow you to assume the role. So step up to the plate!

Tone of voiceDogs respond to tone of voice. Pay attention to your tone rather than your words. Good dog, when spoken in a harsh tone will sound like correction to your dog instead of the praise it was meant to be.

Body LanguageLearn to read your dogs body language. This is how they communicate with other dogs and with people. Circular tail wagging is usually an invitation to play. A slow, side to side wag may be a warning to back away and stay out of their space.

Greeting a dogAvoid direct eye contact when first meeting a new dog. Staring by you or another dog could be seen as a dominant threat. Instead, turn your head slightly away from dog, and approach him from the side instead of head on.

Arden Moore

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