What is good dog behavior? All too often we see dogs pulling their owners around the block, barking endlessly, and showing excessive aggression or fear aggression. Are these actions signs of good dog behavior? According to Canine Good Citizen, good behavior traits are accepting a friendly stranger, walking by your side, allowing to be groomed, following commands, and an overall calmness.
The skill of accepting a friendly stranger requires your dog to walk perfectly by your side without stopping, (unless you stop), or straining ahead of you. If you are out for a walk and you approach a stranger, your dog should not jump on the person or act frightened. It should not hide behind you, become overly excited or strain on the leash. These behaviors are also unacceptable while walking through a crowd. In addition, your dog should not try to go and walk with someone else. When a stranger pets your dog, the dog should sit and gladly accept being petted.
Your dog should be comfortable being groomed by you or by a friendly stranger. Dogs should not excessively squirm while being groomed, nor should the owner restrain the dog too much. Grooming is important for its overall health. Plus, appearance helps you and your dog build a better relationship by spending quality time together.
Following commands like “sit” and “down”, your dog should quickly and obediently respond when you give the command. Similarly, a quick response is required when the dog is commanded to come or called by name. Reeling your dog to you is not good behavior.
When you and your dog meet another handler with his/her dog, your dog should not be overly excited, jumping or going over to meet the new dog. Your dog may show some interest with the other dog but not a lot. It should not try to leave with the other dog, and to sum it up. Your dog should always be by your side.
It is very important that your dog is socialized to learn to obey and how to react despite distractions. Distractions could be a chair falling or a door slamming. If this happens, your dog should neither become extremely scared, nor bark endlessly, or lunge toward the distraction. You want your dog to remain calm.
Finally, supervised separation is leaving your dog with a supervisor while you leave and go away. Your dog should not bark, whine, or howl, pace or show any agitation, look stressed, or pull on the leash. It should be confident of your loyalty to it and not fear being neglected. This would be an important skill for when you have to rely on a dog sitter or taking them to the veterinarian.
Good behavior and commands are very helpful when owning a dog and will show up everywhere in your life. Once you have accepted the responsibility of owning a dog and obtained these good behavior traits, you can be proud to have an obedient dog. You have a canine companion that you can feel comfortable anywhere.
My Bibliography
Burch, Mary R., PhD Citizen Canine: Ten Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Should Know. California: Kennel Club Books, 2010. Print.