How well do you know your dog?

Have you ever asked yourself this question- “How well do I really know my dog?” I truly believe if we all stopped to think about this question a little more, our relationships with our dogs would improve. Too often we jump to feelings of frustration over behaviors we might be seeing from our dogs, rather than asking ourselves WHY.

-Why is my dog constantly getting in the trash?

-Why does my dog destroy all my shoes?

-Why is my dog digging holes in my yard?

-Why does my dog bark at everything?

How does this relate to bringing a new baby home? I often find that frustrations over existing behaviors can be exasperated once you’re in the thick of the newborn stage, or chasing around a toddler always on the go. Understanding more about who your dog is based on a variety of factors helps to create a better relationship in general, but can especially help you feel more prepared for how your dog may handle your growing family. It can also help you determine anything you may want to address/work on prior to starting a family.

Below is a list of my top 4 things you should know about your dog:

1) What breed or breed mix is your dog and what are some characteristics specific to that breed?

2) How does your dog display signs of distress such as fear, anxiety, and signs of happiness, contentment, etc?

3) How does your dog prefer to be pet/touched/approached/greeted?

4) How does your dog handle changes such as schedule changes, moves, new people coming around, a new pet joining the family, etc.?

Remember, what we think of as a ‘behavioral issue’ is really an unmet need. Every dog breed was genetically created for a purpose. Most were not meant to be living in our homes as we like them to do. When you sit and really think about the answers to these questions, you’re on your way to better understanding your dog as well as creating a better relationship!