Dog Breeds & Behaviors

Knowing and understanding what dog breed to select and what behavior to expect is a pre-adoption investigation all future dog owners should do. This would surely reduce the number of dogs that are mistreated and abandoned every year.

How to select a dog: Before taking the decision whether to buy or adopt a dog as a pet by an individual or a family group with the acceptance of all its members, the first of a long list of doubts pops up in reference to the acquisition, in first term and its behavior afterwards.
The most frequently asked first question: Which is the best dog breed?

The answer is simple: there doesn't exist a breed better than another. The ideal breed for a young person that lives alone and that doesn't have much time to be with his dog will possibly be different than that from an old retired couple that can be permanently in contact with the dog. In the same way, and equally important as other factors that will be detailed further on, the availability of the lodging space is a determining issue at the time of establishing what type of breed will be the most adequate for the chosen breed. At first, the advisable thing to do is to select a group of breeds that can be able to get along with each other. This means they will have to adapt themselves to the general profile of conduct (the physical aspect is a secondary factor) to the preferences, the style of life and personal requirements of the future masters.

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 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

In a basic way, you must take into consideration that owning and enjoying a pet brings a series of obligations and this, on its turn, take times to be implemented. From an expert's point of view, it is fundamental to have the time enough to exercise and socialize with the dog on a daily basis, as to make him mingle with other dogs. At this first phase other conditioning factors will be relegated, as of the availability of space to which is usually given more importance. Also, the decision to adopt a dog as a pet must be agreed by all the members of the family. If this is not so, conflicts will soon begin to come up in the family. Conflicts that will always rebound on the dog. Although it seems harsh to say to avoid future mistakes, the advice is not to acquire or adopt any dog without having given it a thorough second thought. Don't forget that this small ball of fur –the dog in its first days- will grow in a permanent somnolence state-of-being, it will be more active and will live with us for several years. All of these circumstances must be considered before taking the final step.