How Your Dog Communicates With You

There is more to a man’s relationship with dog than just affection and sincerity. Dogs connect and communicate with humans on a more spiritual level. They not only use physical actions to communicate but they also send messages through non-verbal signals, postures, and body language. Dogs are known as a man’s best friend. This saying can’t be truer as the bond that a dog and a human share is superior than the bond that a dog shares with other creatures. It can be said that the bond between humans and dogs is on another level, a level which is complex and controversial. 

As humans, we accept only one form of communication i.e. verbal. As the most superior creatures, we believe that dogs do not have the capability to feel and think like us. That’s the reason we fail to form a spiritual or a deeper bond with them. However, it is true that dogs are extremely intelligent and capable of communicating to us on a deeper level. It is not just simple actions and tricks that helps you interact with the dog but there is more meaning behind every action the dog makes, and every signal that it sends. To be able to understand the bond between humans and dogs, let’s take a look at the different ways dogs communicate with us since the time they are young pups.

The Truest Form of Communication

To understand a dog’s reaction to human expressions and actions, we need to consider a few examples. Just like a little child, a puppy follows its owners/guardians. When you pick up a ball from the ground, you will notice that your puppy will pick it up after you. Every move you make the puppy copies. 

This happens because the puppy is interested in the things that its owners are doing. It gets involved in practices that it observes around itself. When you show interest in anything, your dog will too. This is the purest form of communication that happens without any verbal signals. The dog shows interest in things that its owner is interested in. This is a great revelation that tells us that a dog is capable of following our commands to our will.

How Dogs Help Detect Threats

When you closely observe a dog’s behavior, you will come to know dogs can be trained to follow certain desirable actions. The dogs that are part of the military squads and help detect drugs, explosives, and weapons; they develop these skills upon receiving training from humans. If you start training a dog to detect drugs and explosives, you might be intimidated to use toys and treats as a way to bribe the dog to perform in a certain way. However, the thing that you are missing is that your dog will only take interest in things that you are interested in. You might find positive reinforcement training techniques helpful but if you believe that the dog is able to understand your expressions and feelings on a deeper level, you would not use such techniques while training the dog to detect explosive and drugs. 

The dog will be interested in the toys more and will be distracted from the actual detection task. Therefore, it is important to understand that a dog will show interest in detection if you communicate with it in a more effective way. Dogs often make use of verbal actions to point out things to their owners. When the dog sees a stranger walking into the door, it barks to communicate with you using verbal signals. Signals like these are extremely helpful as they help keep the homeowners aware of intruders and thieves.

Focusing Your Interest

The best way to make your dog learn detection tricks is to focus your attention towards it. Do not add distractions to the training process and understand that your dog will show interest in the things you focus on. To be able to train your dog to detect drugs and explosive, you need to connect with your dog on a more spiritual level. However, many people fail to believe that dogs and humans can communicate spiritually. 

When you focus on something that you want your dog’s attention at, you will witness that your dog will also put its focus on that thing. There is no need to use toys and treats to bring the dog’s attention to a desired thing because your dog will sense your signals and will put its focus on the same thing without needing any distraction. 

Developing Trust

When we talk about military dogs, we need to know that these dogs are trained to detect drugs and explosives. The great thing about these dogs is that they perform their task without alarming the people in the surrounding. To train a dog to detect explosive and drugs is a complicated task. However, with the help of trust, the desired results can be achieved rather easily.

The handler and its dog should have a bond of trust. The handler should be able to trust the dog’s every action and similarly, the dog should trust the handler for every action that they command it to perform. This bond of trust can only be formed if the trainer and the dog are connected spiritually. 

During detection training, the handler should be able to trust the dog’s instincts. It is not a good practice to discourage the dog for its judgment. To be able to benefit from the dog’s detection skills, you need to trust it. 

Teaching the Dog to Communicate in an Improved Way

Dogs are super active and possessive about their owners. Moreover, they protect their owners from harm and threats. We often find our dogs barking at strangers on the road. However, instead of considering the dog’s behavior or trying to understand the message that it is trying to communicate, we correct it for barking loudly at someone. We need to consider the signals that our dogs send us. Instead of trying to teach it a better way of communicating, we correct its behavior by making it wear a collar or by scolding it. 

You need to train your dog to communicate in a way that is acceptable for you and everyone else. However, to do so you need to understand that a dog is capable of communicating in several other ways including non-verbal signals. Therefore, train your dog to silently communicate with you without making everyone aware. The dogs in military are trained to send silent signals to their handlers. They do so because they are responsible for detecting threats that may cause panic in others. Dogs can also be trained to detect bed bugs, other animals, weapons, and molds. However, the key is to understand that they can be trained to detect things in a subtle way. 

Communication through Sound, Scent, Thought, and Intent

A dog communicates with humans in a variety of ways including scent, sound, thought, and intent. Therefore, as dog handlers, owners, guardians, and trainers, we need to understand that a dog’s communication skills are beyond the physical realm. If we just believe in our dogs and their capability of connecting with us, we will come to know that there are several ways to stay in touch with the dog and the signals that it is trying to send to us. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Pack Structure

Introduction

A stable and established pack structure is very important when you are dealing with adult dogs. This is because they may become aggressive otherwise. To get a dog to respect you, you have to do more than take care of it. You need to teach a dog respect and establish yourself as the leader of the pack in the dog’s eyes. 

It is important to tell your dog how to behave, especially for new dog owners. It helps you get the animal under control with more confidence. They come to understand how a dog’s nature is influenced by traits, both acquired and inherited.

Humane societies come across many dogs who have been turned in because their temperament is unstable because of their genetics. It is not abuse that has made them this way but an owner who did not know how to provide a stable pack structure to the animal! The drive to acquire a rank in that faulty pack structure is what makes them behave the way they do.

At times, treating your dog anthropomorphically can lead to development of dominance issues in the dog. A dog is to be treated like a pack animal – the pack being your family. Most owners then have the troubled animal put to sleep or turn to a shelter.

Obedience training is useless, if you aim to teach your dog about pack structure. We do not ask you to forego obedience training completely but rather to combine with the steps that we suggest later in this article. If you send your dog off to a professional dog trainer, the animal learns to mind the trainer, however , when back home, he will have forgotten all his lessons since it was not the owner who trained him. A dog’s intelligence can be gleaned from the fact that he will revert to his obedient self, when he meets the trainer but he will not accord you the same level of respect!

Laying the groundwork

Don’ts

• Be aggressive towards the canine – not even raising your voice!

• Accept him to roll over

• Use hard leashes

• Depend on your love to correct his behavior – loving your pet unconditionally will not be enough to make him see you as the pack leader.

• Confuse simple commands like, “come”, “sit” or “heel” with groundwork.

• Use human psychology on your canine – the solution to his behvaorial problems does not lie in his past.

Dos

• Behave like the leader of the pack and show your pet his responsibilities and limits.

• Understand your daily behavior with him will determine how he behaves.

• Realize you will need to modify your training, if you own a dog abused by his previous owners.

• Comprehend that is never too late to correct behavioral issues.

• Accept that everybody – from your gardener to the grocer– will tell you how to train your dog!

• Recognize that dogs of all breeds – sizes and ages – need to be trained on how to behave. While the training is not breed-based, it will be specific to each dog since they all have varying temperaments and drives.

Training

What to do after bringing your new dog home

The first step is social isolation for three or 4 days – or more, depending on how dominant the dog is. 

Don’t

• Pet the dog

• Play with the dog

• Apply this method on puppies

Do

• Feed the animal

• Walk him

• Provide him with a clean place to sleep

Earning the privilege to roam around without a leash

Yes, it is a privilege and your pet needs to earn it. Even if the formal obedience training does not start until later, it is good to bond with him early. When you let him realize that you are in control, he will start to respect you. Similarly, be fair to the animal and always issue corrections when warranted. Fairness will form the basis of a respectful relationship. He needs to learn that affection is earned.

Don’t

• Let the dog off the leash until you are outside

• Let him have the run of the house for some months – all activities are to be done while on the leash.

• Push yourself on the dog

• Hit or yell at him, if a crate stresses him.

• Leave him alone at home, unattended.

Do

• Let him back in the crate – and on leash – when he misbehaves

• Act aloof since you are the leader of the pack

• Throw in a treat or a bone, if your dog does not like being confined in a crate.

• Let him realize barking will not get him out of the crate but only extend the time he stays in it.

• Use a plastic airline crate. 

• Keep the crate in the family area, so the animal gets used to the ways of the family more quickly. 

Earning your affection

Petting means something completely different to a dog. To him, demanding to be petted is a show of dominance. Let him realize that while you will pet him, it will be on your terms. One of the pack drive issues, this is because the alpha of the pack expects grooming as his right.

Don’t

• Overdo petting

• Pet him when he has not earned it

Do

• Ignore the dog when he wants to be petted

• Scold him, if ignoring does not work

Earning the right to play

Another privilege that needs to be earned. Withholding play for a while ensures that it will mean more to the dog when finally allowed.

Don’t

• Play a lot in the initial stages

• Give him new toys – can trigger aggression in the initial stages

• Pick a fight that you might end up losing

Do

• Make him realize you own the toys and you can take them back

• Store the toys in a bag, not strewn around

• Keep him on the leash even while playing

Interaction with family members

That is a big don’t. Never let your family members pet or play with the dog until your role as his alpha has been established. It will help you establish the roles of other members later.

Don’t

• Let a child younger than the age of seven near a new dog.

• Try to teach a dog that your children rank higher than he does.

Do

• Make sure you are always present to supervise when kids are interacting with the dog.

• Make him understand that your child is off-limits

• Ascertain he realizes there will be serious consequences to breaking the second rule.

Interaction with people outside of the family

Don’t

• Allow people other than your family to interact with your dog.

Do

• Correct your dog, if he runs to a stranger and demands petting.

• Be firm in your corrections

• Ask strangers – and others, not family – to not pet your dog.

Exercise

Exercise can correct most behavioral problems since a dog that is being exercised will not be a bored dog who does not get into trouble. 

Don’t

• Allow a dog out for jogging, if they are younger than twelve months.

• Over-exercise your dog since it can lead to skeletal failure. 

• Allow a new dog outside without a collar

• Allow your dog to interact with stranger dogs while out walking.

Do

• Employ a weighted dog vest when walking your dog.

• Use swimming to exercise your dog, along with long walks

• Use a prong collar to correct the behavior of a dog who likes to pull on his leash.

• Drive a stranger dog away, if one does approach your pet – it is your job as the leader of the pack. Gas stray dogs to keep them away or use a stick.

Walking through doors and using the stairs

Both are important displays of your leadership over your dog and may be used to make him defer to your status. 

Don’t

• Let your dog go before you do.

Do

• Reinforce the lesson, in case your dog does not get it the first time.

Opening the door, so that a dog can only stick his head through it is how you approach this lesson. If he tries to push his body through, hold him in place. Do not let them pull their head back either. Holding the position for a few seconds will make them realize that when there is a door in the way, they need to wait to be let through.

Feeding

We recommend you keep your dog on a raw all-natural diet. An alpha takes care of the lower-ranking members of his pack and that means he takes care that they are fed. Here is how you should go about feeding:

Don’t

• Let the dog inside the crate and then put the food in. Do it the other way around.

• Harass the dog after you have given him food, so that he cannot eat it.

Do

• Feed the dog yourself initially and while he is in the crate.

Grooming Habits

Since grooming is an expected practice between pack members, spending a few moments grooming your dog is required. Again, the goal here is to establish control and make him see you as the pack leader.

Don’t

• Allow the dog to behave restlessly during the grooming.

Do

• Keep your touch soft, so your dog understands that you like him.

• Praise your dog at the end of the grooming session and signal him that the session is over.

Staying away from vaccinations

Even though, we would prefer you do your own research, we tend to stay away from vaccination. It is our belief that they can cause health problems in a dog. If you are providing him with a healthy all-natural diet, his immunity will keep him away from illness. Too many vaccinations can cause auto-immune diseases in dogs.

Establishing a meaningful bond makes you both want to spend time together. Do not disregard its importance or the happiness it can add to your life and your dog’s.  Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Bad Breeders

When it comes to getting a dog as pet, everyone has a different opinion and preference. You cannot tell someone to adopt from a shelter and not buy from a breeder just because you had a bad experience in the past. Everyone has the right to make their own choice for their future family member. However, a recent trend gaining quite a lot of popularity is to adopt and not to buy. Although it might be good to adopt a dog from a shelter and make space for more abandoned dogs, there is no harm in buying from a breeder. The thing that matters the most when going for the breeder option is that the breeder must be a responsible person. There are many breeders out there who have only one goal in mind; to earn as much money as possible without providing proper care to the dogs. 

So, if you are going to buy a puppy from a breeder, make sure you are aware of the signs of an irresponsible breeder. Let’s start with it!

Sign #1: The Breeder doesn’t Encourage Visits

The biggest sign of a bad breeder is that they don’t want you to visit their home or facility. A responsible breeder would want the future puppy owners to visit the puppy’s home and learn about the environment it lives in. However, if a breeder is always offering to visit your home with the puppy and not invite you over to theirs, then know that there is something fishy. Many backyard breeders try to keep buyers from visiting them because they have a small area where they keep puppies in crates. If the breeder that you are in contact with is not inviting you for a visit, then this is a warning sign and you should avoid buying from them. 

Sign #2: The Breeder Makes Excuses when you ask to meet with the Puppy’s Parents

It is extremely important for buyers to meet with the puppy’s family and its parents. A good breeder will always encourage you to meet with the parents to take a look at their temperament and breed qualities. If a breeder makes excuses when you ask to meet with the puppy’s parents, then there is a problem. Breeders are more than willing to make buyers meet the littermates and parents because it gives them a good idea of how their puppy is going to be like. They also get to learn the qualities that their pup will have as it grows. By taking a look at the puppy’s parents, you can easily come to a decision that whether you want to buy the puppy or not. 

However, if the breeder isn’t allowing you to meet with the parents, then there is a high chance that the parents or the mother is in bad shape. Meeting the puppy’s parents is essential for getting to know the breed and learn vital information about it. A responsible breeder will go to any lengths to ensure that you are satisfied with the breed and the puppy’s family.

Sign #3: The Puppies did not spend Enough Time with Their Mom and Littermates

Puppies need to stay with their moms for at least eight to ten weeks. This period in a puppy’s life is very crucial and the puppy learns a lot from its mother and its littermates. If the breeder tells you that the puppy did not spend a lot of time with the mother, then you should stay away from the breeder. Puppies form basic behavioral and social skills from their mothers and littermates. However, if they did not get to spend enough time with them, they are more likely to be aggressive and have problems socializing with others. No one wants to buy a puppy that doesn’t socialize with the whole family. So, if that’s what your breeder tells you, it is best to stay away. 

Sign #4: The Breeder doesn’t have the Puppy’s Medical Records

When you are buying a puppy from a breeder, you have to keep a lot of things in mind and one of them is the puppy’s medical records. Whether it is a breeder, private owner, or a shelter, every puppy should have an up-to-date medical file with all of its medical records in it. If a breeder tells you that they did not keep a record of the puppy’s vaccinations, check-ups, and medicines, then there is a high chance that the puppy was never taken to the vet. A responsible breeder wants the best for their pups. That’s the reason they hand-over a proper medical file to the buyers. A medical file is a proof that the puppy had been under great care and is safe to buy.

Sign #5: The Breeder doesn’t inquire about you and Your Family

A responsible breeder is eager to question the family that comes to buy puppies from them. They always have lots of questions because they want their pups to go to the best homes. A good breeder will ask you the following questions:

• Your knowledge of the breed.

• The reason you want to buy.

• The environment of the home that the puppy will be living in.

• The number of people in the family.

• Information about the person who will act as the main caretaker.

• Your experience with any pets.

• The number of pets that you have in the home.

• The vet that you will take the puppy to.

• And many more.

If the breeder is asking you a lot of questions, then there is no need to get worried as the breeder just wants to make sure that the puppy is a perfect fit for the family. Moreover, breeders often give advice to families for providing good care to the puppies so that they don’t face any trouble afterwards. 

Sign #6: The Breeder doesn’t have Specialization in One Breed

Responsible breeders do not handle different dogs because their main purpose is to improve a particular breed. However, if a breeder deals with several breeds, then it is a clear sign that they do not focus on making the breed better. Breeding is a complex process that involves a lot of challenges. A good breeder has to take several things into consideration before they are fully ready to pair dogs. A responsible breeder will look for parents that have certain personality traits and characteristics. They also need to take a close look at the medical records and genes of the parents to ensure that the litter will be disease free and healthy. There are many more things that a breeder needs to keep in mind including the parents’ looks. So, if the breeder you choose breeds multiple breeds, then know that they are not going to be responsible. 

Sign #7: The Breeder has a Huge List of Available Puppies

A responsible breeder never has a lot of puppies available in the waiting list. These breeders never breed until they have several people waiting to buy puppies so that the entire litter finds good homes. Many responsible breeders already have families waiting for the litter to be born. Therefore, if a breeder tells you that they have a lot of puppies on their list, be aware as the breeder might not be that credible.

Sign #8: The Breeder doesn’t want to Sign a Contract

A responsible breeder always makes people sing a contract before they buy puppies from them. This piece of document is a necessity which ensures that the puppy has been bred responsibly and is going to be taken care of by the family. The contract also includes information about the puppy’s health. If you are buying a larger breed, then you need to make sure that the contract contains medical reports of the puppy’s hip examination to avoid any hip diseases in the future.  Another important clause that should be included in the contract is that the owner can always return the puppy to the breeder if they are unable to keep it with them. 

Sign #9: The Breeder is not Part of Breed Specific Clubs

A good breeder is always willing to learn more about the breed that they specialize in, and the best way to keep up-to-date with breed information is to be a part of breed specific clubs. If the breeder is not passionate about breeding, they will not care to get involved with breeding clubs and informative events. So, when you meet up with a breeder, make sure you ask them about their participation in local, regional, and national breed specific clubs. If the breeder is not part of any clubs, then there is a high chance that they are not as knowledgeable as they should be. A good breeder should always be eager to learn new things about the breed they are dealing with. This makes them improve the breed and act responsible towards them. 

Sign #10: The Breeder doesn’t Encourage Future Contact with You

Breeders are the closest to their puppies and they act as their guardians. They are also extremely attached to them since the time of their birth. Therefore, if a breeder tells you that they don’t want to stay in contact with you after you have bought the puppy, then this is a sign that the breeder is careless or is hiding something from you. It is not possible for a good breeder to not keep in touch with the family that is buying their puppies. So, be careful of the breeders that just want to get rid of their puppies. 

Wrap Up!

If you have decided that you want to buy a puppy from a breeder, then beware of the signs mentioned in this article. The sign of a responsible breeder is that they are always willing to help families and are open to their questions. They also actively stay involved with the families that buy puppies from them. If you are being careful in scrutinizing the breeder, then there is nothing wrong in buying puppies from them. After all, it is your responsibility to ensure that your new fluffy family member is coming from a good and healthy environment, and is a perfect fit for your home. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

What is Better for your Dog : Chain or Kennel

There has been a great discussion on the use of kennel and chains, and many dog owners are unable to make the right choice. Many owners are under the impression that dogs can be better handled if enclosed in a kennel. They believe that a kennel is safer and restricts the dog from running away or from making their home a mess. However, if we look at it from the dog’s perspective, we would understand that caging dogs in kennels is cruel and has no effect in keeping the dog from misbehaving.

So, what do you think is better for your dog? Do you think your dog feels more comfortable in an enclosed space or an open one? Let’s find out what is better for your dog.

The Kennel Theory

There are a lot number of people who prefer to put their dogs in kennels. The main reason behind this preference is that kennels are more spacious. Therefore, dog owners believe that their dogs will have enough room to move around, relax, and play. However, the thing that they fail to realize is that kennels make dogs uncomfortable and aggressive. 

When you lock up a dog in a kennel, you make it feel insecure and alert. The dog feels that it is in trouble or forced to live in a small space. This feeling makes the dog hyper and aggressive, and the dog tries to find ways to escape. Just put this scenario on yourself and imagine you being locked up inside a small room. So, would you sit and relax or would you try to find ways to escape? 

Kennel interferes with a Dog’s Needs

Dogs are social animals and they love to make friends, run around the house freely. Therefore, confining them into small cages is never an ideal scenario. Moreover, they have physical needs that get disturbed when they are caged in kennels. Dogs also need mental stimulation and lots of exercise, which it doesn’t get due to being caged in a kennel.

There are many dog breeds that are calm by nature and do really well in a kennel. However, it is morally wrong to confine dogs in small spaces that deprive them of their most basic mental and physical requirements. Although it might seem like a good idea to put your misbehaving dog in a kennel, but the consequences to that may be detrimental. 

Dogs are not made for kennels. They are extremely social and affectionate. They also love to move around in the house freely, which is impossible when put in a kennel. Another disadvantage of putting your dog in a kennel is that it will try everything to break free from it. The dog might scratch, bite, dig, and chew the kennel to escape, which is a red sign that tells you that the dog is losing its mind. 

The Chain Theory

Seeing your dogs in chains might be the most horrible sight, but in all honesty, it is far better than putting the dog in a kennel. Many dog owners do not like to chain their dogs because they believe that it is cruel. Instead, they put them in kennels so that they get enough space to play. As appropriate it might sound, there are many reasons to not to put your dog in a kennel. So, why are chains better and doesn’t make the dog feel suffocated in them? 

Many might say that chaining dogs is inhumane and cruel. However, if you compare and contrast a chain to a kennel, you will come to a realization that chains are better than kennels. Chains are better as they do not restrict the dog’s actions and movements. They provide more freedom and room to the dog to run, jump, and play. Moreover, chains keep the dogs in control and are used to keep the dog in its limits. 

However, there are certain rules that dog owners need to follow in order to keep the dog calm and comfortable in a chain. The chain that you choose for your dog should be of proper length. The dog should be able to move freely without getting hurt. The material of the collar also holds a lot of importance as a bad material will suffocate or hurt the dog. The preferred collar material for a dog is leather or nylon. When putting your dog on a chain, make sure it is not wearing a choker collar. Chokers are tight on the neck of the dog and if the dog tries to struggle or run with a chain attached to a choker, it might injure its neck or choke itself. Therefore, to avoid any disastrous situation, make sure you never pair the choker with a chain.

 Dogs in an Open Yard

There might be some dog owners who would try to find a third option of  open yard. Of course it sounds right to have your dog in your open yard, but it has its own pitfalls that you must be aware of. If you want to provide freedom to your dog by  the yard fence or in an open space, you will drive it crazy. Dogs won’t do really well with that much freedom and will try to escape through the fence. 

The open environment is like a freedom call for the dog and it will exhaust itself by trying to break free. Therefore, if you think that going with this option is better than kennel and chains, you need to reconsider.

The Final Verdict!

Max von Stephanitz was a German dog breeder who did not believe in dog kennels. He criticized the organizations and people who promoted the concept of kennels without knowing the effect that they have on dogs. He also attacked humane societies and kennel clubs in his criticism by saying that the name ‘kennel clubs’ itself should be an eye-opener for the people that want to associate with them. 

The reason that he did not support kennels was that they deprive dogs of their basic necessities. Although kennels are used to manage dogs and control their behavior, they have nothing to do with any of it. A dog in a kennel is helpless, scared, and defensive. Putting such affectionate animals in kennels is injustice to them. Therefore, if you want to leave your dog at home or in an open space, go for chains instead of kennels.  Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

German Shepherd - A Herding Dog ?

Introduction

Tending Style or HGH sheep dog training that involves GSD for sheep herding, has become quite popular these days. Also developed has the controversy that the GSDs are biting sheep. 

HGH vs. Sheep Herding in U.S.

HGH training took form in European countries where sheep are free to graze because the only fences that exist are the ones that keep the flock out of a neighbor’s field. In America, Border Collies have been used to herd sheep since the sheep are kept in fenced pastures. While the Collies are completely capable of gathering the sheep into a flock at the master’s call, GSD are not! Since the Tending style trains the sheep to follow the shepherd, the dog is only present there to police the sheep and keep them sheep within the borders defined by the shepherd.

Caveats in HGH being applied in the U.S.

• Not enough dogs for a large flock

• Sheep starved overnight 

• Dog can control only through grip or bite

• Often not taken into consideration, sheep’ stubbornness

An HSH trained dog:

• Will only bite the wool and not a sheep’s legs or head

• Will not shake their head while biting

• Will select an adult over a kid sheep to grip!

 When the American dogs, trained to stay away from gripping try to control a flock, the sheep do not recognize their authority. Completely eliminating gripping from the HSH program will only result in its failure. I hope AKC take this factor into account when sanctioning trials. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Dog Aggression

Introduction

This article addresses one of the problems commonly experienced by dog owners – unwanted dog aggression. This article explains three of the causes of canine aggression but by no means, consider them the only causes since there are more than 20 categories, the scope of which is beyond this article.

Aggression Triggers

Rank Drive

It is difficult to explain the intensity a dog’s pack drive can take to a new owner. Since it is innate, it will definitely affect how a dog behaves when brought home and made to interact with family members.

If you think your dog should be taught that your children rank higher in the pack, then you are looking at this the wrong way. Imagine trying to make a dog feel inferior to a two-year-old. It is not doable, instead teach your dog that your child is always off limits. You can do it the way I did – by making sure, the dog is never alone with your child – or through training that starts with always having the dog on a leash, even inside the house. Correcting the dog, either verbally or in some other way, is another way to reinforce the lesson, every time you see him display unwarranted aggression.

Attack by other dogs

When a dog has been scared or badly hurt by another dog, he will become aggressive. One occasion like this can lead to life-long aggression. It is very similar to how we will behave, had we been mugged, or after an episode where our personal space and safety have been violated. 

We know you are always concerned about the safety of your dogs but do not always realize that a dog in the presence of stranger dogs is an aggressive dog in the making. When taking your dog to a park, understand that any of the dogs there could have dominance issues that translate into aggression.

Your dog, no matter what age he is will look to you for protection and leadership when under threat. Do not make the mistake of thinking your dog needs to learn how to protect himself and wait for him to act tough. If you stand by and allow a strange dog to hurt your dog, he will take it to mean that since he has to protect himself, he should respond through either a fight or flight. If they act aggressive and scare the incoming dog away, the aggressive display will keep increasing in intensity with every such occurrence. It is something that I always practice.

Multiple Dogs

Having more than one dog in a household is entirely possible; however, you need to realize that while controlling two dogs is manageable, a third dog’s presence forms a pack. A dog pack’s establishment will skew the balance and the animals will form their own pecking order shortly. While it may at times, work out peacefully, with every dog understanding where they stand, sometimes a dogfight may also break out while establishing dominance.  Read more  www. ccprotectiondogs.com

Dog's Thyroid Glands

Introduction to Hypothyroidism

A condition resulting from the malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, leading to too little circulation of the hormone it produces. Idiopathic Hypothyroidism is one of the most common types seen in animals. This type of hypothyroidism is characterized by the absence of any biological reason for the malfunctioning gland. Familial thyroid inflammation – thyoiditis – is a close second. When left untreated, hypothyroidism can turn into a debilitating disease while it is curable, if treated properly.

Disease Symptoms

Initial symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Hair loss – tail or flank 

• Desiccated, scaly skin

• Brittle hair that has lost its shine,

• Bleached coat

• Oily skin

When allowed to go untreated, other symptoms may develop. Your canine will:

• Become overweight and lethargic

• Look for warm places to settle down

• Have cold, clammy skin

• Experience a drop in libido

• Go through a protracted anestrus or an abbreviated estrus

Disease Identification

Prior to diagnosis, your veterinarian will run a blood test and then prescribe medication on confirmation of the disease. Soloxine – Levothyroxine Sodium –tablets are a vet’s usual preference for this disease. He will most likely direct you to administer the tablets, once or twice daily.

Improvement in health is expected within two to four weeks while the dog’s coat will take longer to heal – it could take as less as one month to as long as six months, based on his hair growth rate.

Following Up

After a time of four to six weeks, go in and hand over a blood sample to your veterinarian as part of the follow up procedure. After the blood test, he might adjust the dose, so that proper thyroid blood levels are reached. Routine check-ups are required, if you want to keep your canine healthy and happy. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Schutzhund as a Sport

Introduction

The United Schutzhund Clubs of America is a dedicated organization working to protect and preserve the German shepherd’s heritage and lineage through Schutzhund training.

History

Schutzhund – Literally, “Protection Dogs” – has his roots in Germany. Back then, breeders used to select only the best quality dog after critical evaluation for their breeding programs. It was used to instill the principles of protection, obedience, and tracking in dogs.

The Training

Even today, a bred German shepherd dog requires a Schutzhund title. There are three types of titles:

• Novice or Sch H I,

• Intermediate or Sch H II, and

• Master Sch H III

Now a sport that has become extremely popular, the Schutzhund is still relevant today as a breed test. Even today, Schutzhund displays the adeptness of trained canines in several fields, such as:

• Utility

• Intelligence

• Endurance

• Courage

• Trainability

• Scent Ability

The Sport

The sport, which is quite popular in North America, consists of various mandatory rules and regulations. A few examples of these rules are as follows:

Entry Age 

• 18 months for SchH A and SchH 1

• 19 months for Sch1-1 11 

• 20 months for Schl-l 111

• 16 months for FH

• 12 months for B

Judges

One judge may only evaluate 10 to 12 dogs per day. More dogs might be entered into the trial, if more judges are brought in or the duration of the trial is extended.

Candidates

• Canine entrants must be completely healthy and tested for impartiality and sureness.

• A dog may only take part in only one Schutzhund degree per trial.

• Dogs awarded degrees prior to a trial must complete a four-week waiting period before applying for the next degree.

• Participants must follow judge and the trial committees’ instructions.

Handlers

Poor sportsmanship leads to expulsion. Handlers must conduct themselves and their animals with impeccable behavior.

Scoring

The highest possible score for all phases is 100 that becomes 300 for all three phases.

Please keep in mind that these are just a few of the rules. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Dogs That Make Good Guard Dogs

Background

Man has entrusted guard dogs with the task of protecting him and his assets for a long time. It all began with humans trusting a guard dog to watch over their precious cattle. Today, this role has expanded to protection of the owner’s property and even family. Nothing can ever replace your family and if you are going to invest in a guard dog to protect yours, it should belong to the breed suited for the job. However, how do you decide which breed will make the best guard dog? The debate continues even to this day.

Guard Dogs over the Years

When distance limited man’s urge to travel, there was a lack of communication between areas of the world situated at large distances from each other. Dog trainers all over the world worked on various breeds with just one purpose in mind – to train dogs into the reliable guard dogs. Now, more than one mode of transport is available and the world seems to have shrunk. The breeds that had been hitherto endemic are now easily available worldwide. 

Another factor that has changed the world of guard dog training is that man was not the only one evolving with time. Canine breeds, too, have changed drastically. In the canine world, genes are the currency, and each different generation adds something new to the mix. Once considered ideal guard dog material, some breeds have been reduced to the life of a house pet today. The reason for this being their breed did not change fast enough or sufficiently enough to suit the demands of today’s world.

Best Breeds as Guard Dogs

A good guard needs nerves of steel, accompanied by shrewdness and strength. In this context, the breeds considered well suited to this purpose, in order, are:

• German Shepherd

• Belgian Malinois

• Dutch Shepherd

What Makes a Good Guard Dog?

Though the three breeds mentioned above make for good candidates when considering guard dogs, it would be unwise to assume that all dogs from these breeds would make good guard dogs. Just like humans, one dog is different from another. Selecting a dog that will be appropriate for the job will depend on that very specific dog. However, good genetic makeup is the first step to a well-trained guard dog. German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois dogs, and Dutch Shepherds have bloodlines that humans have tinkered with for a long time, leading to their possessing the best bloodlines for the job. To read more visit,

www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Your Dog's Skin

If you see your dog scratching itself, it could probably be nothing or it might be a skin condition, making it itch. If you observe incessant scratching or that your dog is chewing at its own skin, understand that you have a problem at your hands. 

A perfectly healthy protection dog will have skin that will clue you in to its state of health. The canine’s skin is one of the first indications that it might be suffering from a skin problem that all dogs may experience. What increases the probability of these issues are unhealthy living environments. 

Types of Skin Problems

Some problems that your protection dog might experience include:

• Hot spots

• Acral lick Granuloma

• Changes in color or texture

• Impetigo

• Yeast infections

• Dry and flaky skin

• Hair Loss and shedding 

• Allergic Dermatitis

What Causes Skin Problems

Since a skin affliction might be caused by more than one reason, if you cannot discover its source, be vigilant in contacting your veterinarian. Some agents commonly found responsible are:

• Seasonal allergies: Allergens like weeds, dust, and pollen in the air might lead to scratching.

• Other causal agents are allergens present in dog food, colorings, and fillers.

• At times, owners use products that are not geared specifically towards dog grooming. They are often the cause for skin problems. 

• Changes in your protection dog’s metabolism or hormonal levels may also be responsible for textural or color differences.

How Serious are these Skin Problems

You should never take your dog’s health lightly. Skin problems can worsen and cause more damage than they would have, if caught and treated in the early stages. It is rather easy to spot, if your dog is experiencing them. Symptoms include:

• Licking, scratching, or chewing,

• Redness, scabs, scaly patches on face and paws, swellings or rashes,

• Rubbing their face against the furniture or on the carpet

Curing Skin Problems

Once you spot that your dog has been scratching itself excessively, contact the vet immediately. When you take your dog in, a vet will do a skin biopsy on your dog. It will be tested for the presence of ringworm, blood, and allergies. A microscopic exam of the skin and hair may also be in order.

Post-diagnosis, the vet will advise you to give your dog a balanced diet. He might also use anti-parasitic shampoos and ointments; recommend dietary supplements, injections, or antibiotics that will reduce the intensity of the dog’s allergic reactions.

Prevention of Skin Problems

Since in most cases, prevention is better than cure, you can reduce the risks of your dog getting a skin problem by providing them with:

• Hypoallergenic shampoos

• Regular brushing

• Healthy diet

• Clean home

• Optimal living conditions

To read more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Why Invest in a Personal Protection Dog

In an era of security alarms and monitoring homeowners may think they are protected from danger thanks to electronic devices.

This isn’t always the case with criminals becoming more tech online systems,savvy and hacking technology on the rise.

    

Protection from a highly trained dog can offer more security than any device can. They are effective, on-site protection that tells would be intruders or other criminals that they are being watched and will be stopped.

A select breed of dogs known for their exceptional protection qualities are available including German Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois dogs. These dogs are highly trained in defence measures to protect you and your family.

Nearly 70 per cent of people who choose CCPD are women. This is because a dog can be an excellent personal protection from attack or predators.

CCPD makes sure that the dog makes a smooth transition into the new home and has spent time working with female handlers.

Children can also feel safe and protected with a dog from CCPD. All protection dogs are trained to work around both adults and children from as early as five weeks (puppies).

They are the preferred choice for many CEOs who have to make frequent trips and leave their wife and children at home.

All the dogs trained at CCPD have been trained for social situations whether you have company over or are out running errands. They have been taught how to properly identify what is a threat and what is normal activity. They are highly socialized and make excellent companions so you never have to feel threatened in their presence. The dogs learn through real-life scenarios how to identify danger and protect those that care for them. 

CCPD has been matching dogs with new families for over 15 years and they work with each client to identify what the security needs are and what dog will work best in each situation.

Each dog is rated based on the level of protection required and what kind of working environment they will be in.

The Command Control Protection Dogs Executive Protection Dog is a well-mannered, sociable dog that is good with children and animals. They are trained with all off-leash obedience, aggression alert, and with further threat will take bite on body, release and return to handler on command.

To learn more about how CCPD can help you protect your family visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com