In our book "Make the Dogs Happy" we brought scientific research and pictures to demonstrate and offered practical advice to help dog breeders assess what their dog is feeling at each moment and give them a variety of response options as a way to support their dog
By: Paul McGreevy, Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare, University of Sydney; Melissa Sterling, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Sydney. Translation: Ziv Adaki
It is difficult to relate to what dogs, as a group, like or dislike and make sweeping assumptions about their behavior. Just like humans, dogs also have their own personalities and learned preferences, and they can be very different from each other in their approach to life and what they get out of it.
In our book "Making the Dogs Happy" we brought scientific research and pictures to demonstrate and offered practical advice to help dog breeders assess what their dog is feeling at any given moment and give them a variety of response options as a way to support their dog.
Why do some people love animals and others don't - the science answer
The book focuses on the practical application of current theory, which aims to improve your relationship with dogs - this, of course, has an effect on improving their feelings.
There are many ways in which we can misunderstand dogs, originating from the assumption that they are furry humans. We will mention 10 common mistakes that result from projecting human values and needs onto dogs.
1. Dogs, like people, value sharing
People can understand and appreciate the benefits of sharing. Unlike people, with dogs, ownership is everything. Therefore, we should not take toys, bones and other objects that the dog chews from the dog, unless we have trained him to accept such an act.
2. Dogs always enjoy loving human touch
Often, people express their affection through hugging and cuddling. Dogs don't have the limbs and joints to do this, so they haven't evolved in a way that allows them to give a loving hug. When a person hugs a dog, the dog may feel uncomfortable or threatened. The same goes for petting dogs on the head.
3. Barking or growling dogs are always threatening or dangerous
These are behaviors that are aimed at alienating. Usually, dogs want to buy themselves some space using these signals, so that they feel more secure. All dogs, regardless of temperament or training, may sometimes want more space. Usually, they will initially try to express their desire in more subtle ways, but many dogs learn that subtle signals are ineffective and therefore immediately use clear signs.
4. Dogs are welcome in their house Dogs they don't know
Dogs are the descendants of wolves and therefore will protect their own. They become attached to their home territory and everything in it. Dogs have no way of knowing that the dogs and people we invite into our home, for example to play with us, are ever going to leave. They should be forgiven for thinking that it will be like this from now on and forever; And it can be expected that they will try to set the rules and put the new attendees in their place.
These dogs bark for joy. Sasha Petrova
5. Dogs like to rest just like people
We go to school and work, so we really appreciate the opportunity to rest at home and maybe watch TV. Unlike us, dogs spend most of their time at home and will therefore prefer outdoor activity to lying on the couch. For dogs, change is not only as good as rest - it is much better than it.
6. A shedding dog is a sociable dog
"Friendly" behavior for one dog is not friendly behavior for all dogs. Some dogs use over-sociability as a way to relieve anxiety arising from meeting other dogs or people. Those of us who raise very friendly dogs may be surprised when another dog does not happily meet their dog. Some dogs prefer calm greetings and lots of personal space.
7. Dogs come close when they want to play
Sometimes, dog breeders get confused when a dog approaches a person or another dog in a friendly way, and suddenly growls at them or bites them. The main reason for getting close may be to gather information, and not necessarily to create an interaction, and even dogs that usually like strangers, may suddenly become anxious and overwhelmed. If you recognize that this is a pattern of behavior, let your dog approach unfamiliar dogs or people for just a short moment and then take him away from them.
8. A large yard is a substitute for walks
Because dogs spend so much time in the yard, many times this environment becomes too familiar for them and even boring. The size of the yard is less important to the dogs than what happens in it. Dogs really thrive on playing with other dogs, with us and with toys. They especially like to do this in a new environment, so spending time outside the yard is the most fun.
9. Dogs "do exactly" when they don't do what is asked of them
Sometimes dogs don't do what we asked of them, not because they decided to rebel, but because they can't carry out our request. They may not understand what we asked of them and they may have much, much more urgent things to do right now. Simplicity is not the forte of dogs, so the fact that your dog sits nicely when you asked him to sit in the kitchen when you have a candy in his hand, does not mean that he knows what the word "sit" means when he is free in the park.
While your dog may know what the request "sit" means when trained to do so at home without distractions, asking him to do it when guests knock on the door may be like asking a child to do homework when he arrives at an amusement park.
10. Barking, biting or pushing is a sign of an unhappy dog
Sometimes dogs give subtle signs that they are becoming restless, such as avoiding eye contact with what is bothering them, licking their lips, frowning, lifting their feet, stiffening their facial muscles. If nothing is done to help them, these dogs will move away from what scares them, and these signs may deteriorate into more disturbing and obvious behavior, such as growling and biting.
For an article in The Conversation
More of the topic in Hayadan:
