BEHAVIOUR

Dogs needs regular exercise and plenty of opportunities to walk, run and play outdoors and to learn new skills through training. They are playful animals and enjoy having fun with toys, people and other dogs.

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Choose a type and size of dog that is suited to you, everyone living in your house, your home and your lifestyle. Exercise your dog regularly to keep him/her fit, active and stimulated – he/she should be given a chance to run outdoors every day, unless your vet recommends otherwise.

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The way a dog behaves depends on his/her age, breed (or type), personality and past experiences – frightening experiences and punishment can lead to behaviour problems and suffering. You should make sure your dog has constant access to a safe hiding place where he/she can escape if he/she feels afraid.

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If your dog’s behaviour changes, it could mean he/she is distressed, bored, ill or injured so always talk to your vet if you are concerned and he/she can refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist if necessary.

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BACK TO BASICS

Train your dog from an early age using rewards. Never shout at or punish him/her as she/he is very unlikely to understand and may become nervous or scared of you. Always try to be calm and consistent in the way you, your family and friends react to your dog.

Ask your vet for details of good, local training classes which use kind, reward-based methods of training so that you can learn how to teach your dog the skills he/she will need for every day life.

If your dog often shows fear or signs of stress (such as excessive panting, licking lips, hiding, cowering, aggression) or exhibits any other behaviour problems, talk to your vet who can rule out any health problems and refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist if necessary.

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Keeping fit

How much exercise, and the type of exercise your dog needs will largely depend on the individual dog’s habits, age and health. Some dogs will need loads of exercise throughout their lives compared to others which may be happy with the run of a garden and a daily walk.

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Your dog needs to be taught how to walk on a lead. In towns, a lead will protect him/her from traffic and keep him/her away from places where young children play. Dog faeces can be a health hazard so you must always pick up and dispose of your dog’s poo!

Even in the countryside, no matter how placid your dog is, use a lead when walking near livestock which can often be the target of attacks by dogs. But try to find a safe area where you can let your dog off the lead for a good run around.

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Barking

Dogs may bark for a variety of reasons such as during play, as a greeting or for attention. But prolonged periods of barking may be because your dog is unhappy, so it’s vital to find out why this is happening. If your dog barks a lot when left alone, he/she may be having difficulty coping. It’s important to talk to your vet who may suggest referral to a clinical animal behaviourist. They can diagnose the root cause of the behaviour problem and develop a treatment programme, based on kind, reward based methods, specifically for you and your dog.

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AGGRESSION

Dogs are aggressive in response to unfolding events and it’s invariably because they think that they are under some form of threat. For example, the threat could be to their personal safety, to take away something (or someone) they value highly, or they may feel their territory is threatened.

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Dogs communicate mainly through body language. They have a wide range of non-aggressive signals and postures that they exhibit when they want us to stop doing whatever it is that they don’t like. These signals include gestures that show they are uncomfortable, like yawning, lip licking, averting their gaze, turning their head away, dropping ears, crouching, low wagging or tucking their tail under and rolling over on their back. If these signals don’t work the dog may then start to become more aggressive.

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If your dog shows signs of aggression

Firstly, stop whatever it is you are doing. Aggression is your dog’s way of warning you to stop. Secondly, stand still. Movement towards an aggressive dog may be interpreted as a threat, and movement away may make him/her bold enough to bite. Stand still until the aggression stops or walk slowly away, backwards or sideways, looking down and sideways. Talk to your dog reassuringly. When the aggression stops, think about what caused it and avoid doing the same thing again. Dogs should never be punished for showing aggressive behaviour as this is likely to make them more fearful.

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If your dog ever shows fearful or aggressive behaviour, you really should get some professional advice. Talk to your vet who will be able to refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist. 

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