Dog and Dogs...with pictures

Dogs are without a doubt mans best friend. Where would we be without these cute and cuddly critters, not only are they great as a companion and friend but they've been know to save peoples lives and I'm not just talking about the great big St Bernard. But other breeds of dogs have been of great service to mankind as well.

  The little chihuahua dog always makes me laugh it's such a tiny dog but it doesn't know it, I think it thinks it's an 800lb gorilla and can take on all the other big dogs. (smile)

This little guy first appeared in Mexico and does well in warmer climates. Of course, a doggy sweater can make one of these small dogs feel warm and cozy during winter months.

A Bulldog is much more than a pair of sad eyes and droopy jaws, but this dog's appearance is a major reason for its popularity. The other reason these dogs are so popular is that they have a sweet and gentle nature.

And then there's the good looking Pug? made famous when it starred in the film Men In Black with Will Smith and Tommy L Jones. Again this amazing looking dog is not to everyones taste, now what gives us this idea I wonder?

Also they can be a little bit snappy and noisy.

Dog Training - Training Assertive Dogs

Dog Behavior Dominant

As descendants from wolf packs, dogs have and seek a natural hierarchy in which some are dominant (alphas) and others follow. Struggles start in some cases 3 or 4 weeks after birth concerning who is going to be top dog.

Wild dogs will fight - sometimes to the death - to maintain or achieve the alpha status. Losers are occasionally expelled from the pack entirely.

But in any human-dog pair the human has to take the leader role the alpha role. The alternative is property destruction, human frustration and usually a maladjusted dog. Naturally, that's sometimes easier said than done.

Pups display early in life the tendency to want to lead or acceptance of a subsidiary role. For those who insist on being alpha, several techniques can help adjust the dog's behavior. But first you have to identify it.

Put your dog on its back with a firm hand placed in the middle of the chest. No need to press hard, just enough to keep the dog from wiggling away. Monitor the strength and length of time the dog takes to submit, signaled by pulled back paws, averted eyes, and general relaxing.

Most dogs will struggle at the unfamiliar position and submissive role. The strength of the struggle and the length to relaxation will vary from breed to breed - Golden Retrievers may submit relatively quickly, where terriers may never stop struggling.

Dogs learn by cue and repetition so to assist curing excessive dominance lean your face close to the dog's and growl, bark or even shout when required. (Just make sure no-ones looking) Don't expect completely satisfactory results the first few times, but gradually most will learn to accept their secondary role.

A variation has the person stand or kneel in front of the dog, then lift it at the chest using one or two hands. Most dogs, especially dominant ones, dislike this but they quickly learn who's the boss. Alternatively, grasp both front paws and lift up. Don't be too aggressive. The goal is to encourage acceptance of their role, not to punish.

For those inclined to leap up on people, there are several useful techniques.

First, try to distinguish between dominance and the desire for affection. Many dogs leap in order to get closer to the human face. Dogs that height have eyes that see at that level. Eye contact and face rubbing is used by them to encourage bonding and establish social roles. They may just be trying to communicate. Kneel down and allow non-biters to get close to the face.

Maintain enough eye contact to establish dominance by waiting for them to look away. Try not to blink. When the dog accepts its role, praise lavishly with ear rubs and leaning your forehead into the dog's head. Keep your head higher until your role is well-established.

For those who need extra discouragement, try the following.

Watch the dog's face and body carefully for tell-tale signs signaling an imminent jump. Discourage the behavior with voice commands ('stay' or 'down') and a palm thrust out and down into the dog's face. If they're already in mid-flight, raise a knee slightly into the dog's chest. To keep them off and put them off-balance, NOT to pummel the dog or throw it backwards, except in emergencies.

Establishing the alpha role takes patience and commitment and repetition. Dominant dogs will test you throughout their lifetimes. Be prepared to defend your role.

mynicedoggy.com a site all about dogs