Dog psychology

Is my dog intelligent? This is one of the usual questions asked by dog owners. If we can talk about a more or less receptive level that is directly related with the breed and the age of the dog, the answer is . . . yes.

As for general signs of receptivity, we might emphasize for different causes, three groups of breeds representative of inferior values than normal. These three groups would be the Molossus (great height exemplars like the Saint Bernard, Mastiffs, Terranova and others), Nordics (like the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Samoyed, etc.), and dogs with Asian origins as the Shar-Pei, Lhassa Apso and Chow Chow, among others.

The Molossus present as one of the most outstanding characteristics a curve of maturity, so much at a physical level as well as the psychological level, more scarce that in other type of breeds: hunting, defensive, etc. This, apart from being irrefutable, rebounds on the levels of receptivity for being these levels directly related to age.

Concerning Nordic breeds, the conditioning facts for the low levels of receptivity is the scarce socialization which they have been object to. This is due to the following reasons:

the short time they have been living in our society
Its grade of independence because of their working background as sleigh pullers.
a scarce contact with their owners limited by the daily work, and
to its developed hierarchical character that prevents him to accept easily impositions or teachings.

With relation to the breeds of Asian origin the sample cause related to Nordic breeds must be joined to the fact of being yet, by the peculiar ways of the oriental people, and save some punctual exceptions not having any specific functions to develop.

The term intelligence can be applied to humans, but not to dogs. It would be more correct to talk about an intelligent conduct or said in another way, the way of doing things. Dogs act by association, however, many owners wrongly adjudicate to their dogs human conducts and emotions.

Why does a half breed look more intelligent than other of full breed? Very simple: not being worth any money, the half breed has more freedom; in consequence, the experiences he achieves are greatly superior to the ones of a full breed. One tends to protect him in excess and as an immediate effect the animal will be deprived from acquiring an intelligent conduct that will expand its behavioral rules.

Dog Behaviorist Choosing a Male or Female Dog Campbell's Test Qualifications The adoption process Dog Adoption Socializing your Dog Dog and Family The acquisition of an adult dog Adult dogs for adoption Breed classification Needs of exercise Need for affection Tolerance to children Tolerance to other dogs Dominant character Territorial character Activity Level Obedience education Dog psychology Association power Conditioning Reflex Training and education Dog Fear Dog Aggressiveness Sensibility suppression Vehicles: excitement or fear Dog Hyperactivity Excessive barking Anxiety pattern Excessive biting Not enough exercise in relation to age and breed Lack of control over feeding and going out schedules Lack of self-confidence Lack of attention from the owners Agoraphobia Psychological pregnancy Pulling the leash excessively Ingestion of strange substances Destruction of gardens Bathing struggles Association power Conditioning Reflex Family environment Dog's Views Dog's Education Positive conditioning Negative conditioning Training and education Training Program for your Dog Dog Fear How to Overcome Dog Fear Attenuating conditions Dog Aggressiveness Aggressiveness by depredation Aggressiveness by dominance Territorial aggressiveness Self-defense aggressiveness When your dog attacks in self defense Injuries in dog attacks Second case of Injuries in dog attacks Sensibility suppression Dog sensibility issues Territorial Factors Expression canals Complete body language Your Dog's Diet Phobia or fear to the collar or leash Collar and Leash usage Dog understanding Other Strategies Jealousy with Dogs Non traumatic introduction Correct location of the child in the family hierarchy Progressive raise of rank of the child Vehicles: excitement or fear Exercises with your Dog Dogs Fear of Cars Starting your dog with real experiences Not mixing new experiences with meals Vehicles and dogs Dog Hyperactivity Frequent Dog Owner Mistakes Excessive barking Indoor dog rules Controlling your barking dog Anxiety pattern Lack of confidence Socializing with the outside world Excessive dominance Lack of dominance in dogs At home Excessive biting To personal objects, furniture, etc Space the dog is allowed to have Aggressions to other dogs Self-defense aggressions Bossy aggressions Aggressions between two dogs from the same home Aggressions to strangers due to territory Backing out from a dog attack Aggressions to family members First time aggressions Not enough exercise in relation to age and breed Scarce contact with other dogs Punishment to a late response Emphasizing conditions and appeasing to evasive behavior Lack of control over feeding and going out schedules Lack of self-confidence Lack of attention from the owners Marking their territory Coprophagy Ingestion of its own feces Agoraphobia Dog Depression How to prevent depression Psychological pregnancy Pulling the leash excessively Corrective methodology Ingestion of strange substances Destruction of gardens Bathing struggles Practical Guide to Canine Behavior Site Map