Every day dozens of little puppies find new homes with willing and happy humans, who decide to harbor the little doggie and allow it to become a member of the already existing family. Dogs understand that they belong to a pack now and will need a lot of guidance and training in order to develop to healthy and productive dogs. Certain behavioral problems will arise, based on the breed and the already developed patterns or existing instincts, but that is normally nothing the owner can’t handle, with or without professional help. It is important that the new leader of the pack observes the newcomer closely, behavior of which will signal any uprising problems way in advance.
When a young puppy enters a new home, many behavioral problems will become evident. Unfortunately, trying to explain to the dog that what it did was not proper after the deed has already taken place will have no effect. The secret is to catch the dog doing it. When the dog is, for instance, marking the territory, then the owner needs to catch it in the act and reprimand it. The dog learns only then that this very deed is forbidden and refrains from doing it again. Depending on the breed and the intelligence of the dog, several reprimands may be necessary, before the dog understands what he is being asked to stop doing. It is again imperative to keep a keen eye on the animal, because only then you will see and catch him in flagrante.
Should behavioral problems arise, which the owner is unable to correct, or where he does not understand why these problems have arisen, then the specialist in dog behavior observation needs to be consulted. Such professionals are named dog behaviorists and have sometimes a very serious academic background in human and animal psychology, as well as other animal related sciences. These people observe not only the animal, but also the owner, or the designated leader of the pack. Very often the problem displayed in the aberrant animal behavior is the result of a problem existing in the relationship between the owner and the dog.
It is therefore imperative to constantly observe the behavior of your dog. Your dog will display any problem or misgiving in its behavior and will expect you to understand what it needs, because you are the leader of the pack. Ignoring any such behavioral messages the dog is sending, may result in more serious problems, up to the point where the dog is not regarding you as the leader anymore and may challenge your leadership.

Filed under: Dogs

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