THE BASICS OF PET PSYCHOLOGY

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THE BASICS OF PET PSYCHOLOGY
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• We may not all be able to call ourselves dog
  whisperers, but there area number of basic pet
  psychology signals and behaviours that we can all
  look out for when approaching a dog whether that
  animal is unknown to us, or even if its a pet
  dog who we feel may be giving us confusing body
  language signals.
• Some very basic doggy facts
• Dogs are born into this world with a fantastic
  ability to sniff the environment around them, and
  their sense of smell is among the most powerful
  in the animal kingdom. They also use their ears
  and eyesto monitor the world around them, but it
  is their noses that are most precious to them.

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• The words that you use when communicating with a
  dog are not so important, since the animal will
  be sensing your energy and paying most attention
  to smelling your scent.Scent is used by dogs to
  communicate with one another all the time, along
  with body language and energy. Dogs are clever at
  reading signals of both other dogs and animals,
  and of humans, too, and you will find it very
  difficult to lie to a dog, since theyll still be
  able to read and smell your true intent and
  feelings!

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• Ingrained within dogs from the minute they are
  born, is a pack mentality, meaning that they will
  always look for a leader, or become one
  themselves. If you, as a pet owner, dont assert
  leadership over your dog, they will soon begin to
  try compensating for this in the form of dominant
  or unruly behaviour.Dogs really are just dogs,
  and they will never have the capacity (or desire)
  to think like we do, therefore they really are at
  their happiest when theyre behaving like a dog
  should. Its often just our desire to think of
  them as having feelings like humans, that
  encourages us to view them in this way, but its
  not healthy for your pet and youll find that
  they thrive under good, sound leadership.

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• Disciplining your pet to achieve good behavioural
  traits
• Try to assert some house rules and boundaries for
  your pet as soon as they move into your home, and
  then ensure that every human member of your
  household is aware of them and will follow them,
  too.
• Be as clear as possible with your rules and
  boundaries, and be as consistent as you can with
  them, too. Trying to enforce these is always best
  done when you are in a positive frame of mind,
  and not feeling irritable, frustrated or tired.

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• Never shout at your pet when they appear to be
  disobeying your rules, and never hit them, or
  even threaten to do so, since this will only ever
  have a detrimental effect upon them.
• Reinforcing a fearful or aggressive state of mind
  in your pet, is never healthy, and you should
  never encourage it, either.
• Some healthy, normal doggy traits to look out
  for
• When your pet is active, alert, playful and is
  responsive to commands and signals, this is when
  you can be sure that they are healthy and happy.
  Being sociable with other dogs and people and a
  willingness to explore is also a sure

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• sign that your pet is in a good condition. If
  your pet is also a little cautious and wary of
  strangers, that may also be normal behaviour,
  provided they are not overly aggressive in nature
  at these times. Patience is definitely a virtue
  when it comes to your pets behaviour, and of
  course if they are affectionate and responsive to
  food, then these are all positive traits, too.
• Some potential doggy issues
• If your pet dog is often hyperactive and jumps on
  people or is disobedient of your rules and
  signals, then this may be cause for concern. If
  they also display signs of being extremely
  fearful of people that they dont know or other
  animals, then

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• these may be signs of a psychologically disturbed
  dog, and you may want to seek help from a
  professional dog trainer or behaviourist. Being
  overly aggressive, possessive of toys and food
  items or shrinking from human touch, are also
  indicators that all may not be well with your
  pet.
• All pet dogs require a good and healthy balance
  of affection, attention and discipline for them
  to feel secure and safe, and if this is not
  given, then you will almost certainly end up with
  a dog that is not psychologically sound.

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• K9 Second Line has been in business since 2011
  and we provide the best possible care to each of
  our clients. We individualize services to tailor
  to you and your pet's exact needs. If you are
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