Understanding K9 Psychology: What Most pet Owners are Missing
Dogs are amazing and intelligent animals. They can be trained to do amazing things, but they also have their own unique personalities.
A dog’s behavior is directly related to its psychology, which is defined as the study of mental processes such as thought, perception, emotion and motivation.
It’s important that you understand your dog’s psychology so that you can properly care for them. Here are some common misconceptions about dog psychology:
- Dogs Are Not Natural-Born Hunters — Dogs evolved from wolves thousands of years ago, but they are not natural-born hunters like wolves are. Instead, domesticated dogs were bred over generations to become more cooperative with humans so that they could help us hunt for food.
- Dogs Do Not Think Like Humans Do — Dogs have different senses than humans do and their brains process information differently than ours do as well. For example, dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than we do and can even tell if someone has cancer by smelling their breath! They also have excellent hearing because they use it to communicate with each other in ways we can’t understand (barks). Their eyesight may not be as good as ours either since they rely on smells more than vision when hunting prey or finding a lost owner.
- Dogs Are Highly Adaptable — Dogs are highly adaptable creatures who can adjust to almost any climate or situation easily because they were bred to bond closely with humans who had control over their lives and could take them anywhere they wanted to go if necessary (e.g., hunting expeditions).
- Dogs Have Different Social Hierarchies Than Humans Do — While most people think of their dogs as family members, this is not always the case for dogs themselves! In fact, most dog packs are run by an alpha male or female who does not tolerate any challenges to his/her authority from other members of the pack (including puppies). In addition, domestic dogs often live in groups where there is
- Dogs Are Social Creatures — Dogs are highly social creatures who form close bonds with other dogs and humans alike. They are not loners like wild wolves or coyotes tend to be, but instead like to spend their time interacting with others in their pack (even if that pack is only ever one other dog).
Dogs are very intelligent.
Your dog is likely smarter than you think. But how smart are dogs, really? Are they as smart as cats?
Dogs have a reputation for being stupid and obedient, but there’s a lot of evidence that proves otherwise. Dogs are intelligent, emotional creatures with their own unique personalities and abilities.
Dogs are very intelligent and creative problem-solvers. They can learn hundreds of words (almost as many as a two-year-old child), understand more than 100 words through context (like toddlers), follow pointing gestures, and even deceive us!
Dogs can also follow human gestures; for example, when we point at something for them to fetch it. This ability was first discovered in wolves by Dr. Stanley Coren who found that wolves could interpret hand signals given by their trainers in order to indicate which object they were supposed to “find.” The dogs were able to interpret the signs even if they couldn’t see the trainer’s hands or body language because they had been trained to respond only when they heard a verbal cue given along with the hand signal (“Find the red ball!”). Amazingly, these abilities seem to be innate in dogs — even puppies without training can interpret human gestures correctly!
Dogs and People
Dogs are pack animals. They like to be around other dogs, and they like to be around humans — especially the ones they know.
Dogs typically like people unless they’ve had a bad experience with one. Even then, dogs can be rehabilitated to enjoy the company of humans again.
Dogs form strong bonds with the people they know best. They’re loyal and protective of their owners and families, which is why so many people love them so much.
Dogs learn quickly that their family members are kind and loving toward them, so they tend to look for similar traits in other people as well. If someone in your family does something nice for your dog — like giving him a treat or playing with him — your dog will probably want to spend more time with that person.
K9s are members of the Canidae family, which includes wolves and foxes. In fact, many breeds have fox-like characteristics such as pointed ears and red-brown fur coloration. Dogs are also members of Carnivora, the order that includes cats and bears.
Dogs are descended from wolves that lived thousands of years ago. They were domesticated by humans 12,000 years ago — probably at least twice — in different parts of the world: Asia (China) and Europe (Middle East).
Understanding Your Dogs Psychology is Important
Your dog’s behavior is a reflection of how they view the world. By understanding your dog’s motivations and desires, you can better control their behavior, teach them new tricks and even prevent problems before they start.
The best way to get started is by learning more about your dog’s psychology. Here are a few of the most common questions pet owners ask about dog psychology:
Why do dogs bark? Dogs bark for many reasons. They may be playing with other dogs or people, defending their territory or just trying to get attention from their owners. The easiest way to quiet your barking pooch is to become familiar with his motivations for barking and then redirect those behaviors into more acceptable ones. For example, if your dog barks because he wants attention from you, try teaching him some new tricks so that he gets rewarded for doing something other than barking at you! Another option, is to consider CBD dog treats for anxiety.
How does my dog think? Dogs are social animals who rely on their pack for survival. They depend on humans as part of this pack and will often exhibit submissive behaviors when meeting new people or dogs in order to establish an alpha role in the group hierarchy. Socialization is key for puppies as it helps them learn how to interact with other dogs and humans while avoiding conflict situations which may result in fights over dominance