As a new pet owner you have certain preconceived notions of how an animal will behave when you bring home a dog for the first time. If you have never had a dog before, some of the behaviors displayed could be surprising and upsetting. It could lead you to wonder if your dog is normal.
One thing you must remember is dogs are animals. They respond as an animal would to things like sudden loud noises, unexpected visitors, and will respond in a variety of ways. Here are some of the normal doggie behaviors you can expect from your new friend.
A note of caution. Excessive behavior patterns should be dealt with using love and training. Never beat a dog for doing what comes naturally to him.
Barking
Dogs bark. It is their way to communicate to other dogs, to their owners, and to strangers who they feel threatens them. A strange noise in the night will make a dog bark a warning.
Something you can do if your new dog's barking is too much is to have your dog trained by a professional. In extreme cases, there are barking collars designed to help correct a dog's excessive barking. But always try training first.
Guarding His Food
Domesticated dogs were once wild animals. The desire to keep their food for themselves is still very strong. Even the smallest dog will defend his food from poachers, even you. One way to avoid this behavior is to feed your dog in a location that is quiet, without distractions. Teach your children to leave the dog along while he is eating to avoid potential nips or bites.
Territoriality
Dogs have evolved from wild animals into domesticated pets. They still have a sense of territory, and will defend it from intruders. Most dogs will consider their home and yard their territory. They will bark or growl at people who do not belong in their eyes. Obedience training is especially helpful for this dog issue.
Urinating and Defecating
Most dogs are trained at a young age to use the yard for all their bathroom needs. But accidents can and will happen. A dog left too long inside will urinate or defecate on the carpet even after he's been trained not too. Being angry with a dog that has had an accident will only make the dog more nervous and possibly cause more accidents in the future. The best way to avoid this problem is to make sure the dog has ample opportunities to go outside.
Chewing
Dogs and chewing go hand in hand. Dogs love to chew and will find things in your home to gnaw on unless you supply him with toys of his own. Rawhide chews and plastic chew toys are all great ways to satisfy his desire to chew and save your possessions from harm.
Nipping and Biting
This is by far the worse of dog behaviors. Dogs nip and bite to warn perceived attackers or protect themselves from harm. It matters little to a dog if the attacker is a small child or full-grown adult. No one wants to be bitten by a dog and if your dog shows signs of this behavior it is imperative to take steps to stop it before it becomes a real problem.
Man and dog have been together since the earliest period of human evolution. What started out as a partnership of survival has developed into a beneficial friendship. Understanding and dealing with your dog's behavior is necessary for a new pet owner's happiness with their new friend.
