Welcome to Our Site
Dog Behavior Why Does A Dog Bark? Even when we think we have it figured out, the behavior of our dogs usually ends up as a mystery to us. It is commonly believed that a barking dog is threatening us. In almost all cases, the bark is an alarm call and is directed at the members of the pack. This can include the human pack, as well as other members, such as your other dogs. When a dog barks they are sending the message that something out of the ordinary is happening. In the case of someone arriving at our house, the alarm call does not necessarily tell us whether it is friend or foe. It does, however, insure that any precautions needed, can be taken. encounter with an aggressive dog simply shows that the most hostile of canines is also slightly afraid. A dog who is barking is usually not brave enough to bite, and conversely, a dog who bites is not afraid and does not need to call in the pack members for reinforcement.
Who's That Sleeping On My Bed?Everyone of you reading this will probably have a definite opinion on whether on not you want your dog sleeping on your bed. So who makes this decision? You, or your dog? We have never met a dog who didn't want to sleep with his or her owners, not to mention on top of them. Why is this? Is it because they crave our companionship 24 hours a day? We have to remember that, in many ways, dogs never develop beyond the puppy stage. It doesn't matter they have grown up in years, they are still being cared for by us, exactly the same as when they were young. Even as adult dogs, they look upon their owners as their "parents." Therefore, it is perfectly natural for them to want to sleep next to their mother. By using the term "mother" we are using the term for whoever is the most closely attached to the dog. That person becomes the "surrogate mother" and will be the one who is chosen as a sleeping companion. While we have heard of married couples who disagree about whether their dog should sleep on the bed, to the point of straining the marriage, we believe there is always a compromise to be made, perhaps with your dog sleeping next to the bed, satisfying his or her need for closeness and keeping the peace between his human "parents."
This is why your dog may bark when you arrive home, as well as when a stranger approaches. Once the person has been identified by your dog, the barking is replaced with either a friendly greeting to you or possibly a rare attack on a stranger. Why do I say rare? Because an out and out attack is completely silent. The aggressive dog is fearless and will attack and bite without making a sound. Therefore, when a dog vocalizes this is always an indication of conflict or frustration. The fact that barking usually accompanies anGoing back to a dog's ancestor, the wolf. Even after they have grown up somewhat, young wolves still prefer to sleep relatively close to other members of their pack. This is why your dog, even if he or she is kept off your bed, will still want to sleep as close as possible to you - "its pack." In the wolf community, only a pack-outcast would not be sleeping near the rest of the group. Following that reasoning, a single dog that is shut away and not near its owners at night, almost certainly feels like an outcast from his or her pack. Call us at 978-257-3461
