Raising a well behaved dog is not different than raising a child. But to do so, one needs to have basic
fundamental understanding of dog psychology. Dog psychology is nothing but understanding about
how their mind works.
The first and major reality check humans need to face is dogs are not humans. They belong to
different species. Their way of functioning is different than humans and we need to respect that.
Humanizing dogs is first and biggest hurdle in dog parenting and majority individuals fail in this
aspect during their dog parenting.
The most important aspect of dog parenting is creating a bond with your dog. As the bond becomes
stronger, pet parenting becomes fun for both human and dog. This bond is based on 3 most
important pillars Trust- Respect- Love. The basic mantra to create a healthy bond with your dog is by
fulfilling their needs. Apart from basic needs like food and shelter dog has some specific needs as a
species and then as per their respective breeds. Exercise- Discipline-Affection is the most effective
formula for fulfilling dog’s needs.
Exercise
Exercise is the most important aspect of dog’s life. This exercise helps them channelize their
energy and maintain balanced temperament. There’s a myth about exercising your dog, “tired
dog is a happy dog”. A over exerted dog is also a stressed dog. There are two types of exercises
required to fulfill a dog ‘physical exercise and mental stimulation/ mental exercise’.
Physical exercise can be done with structured walking. It is also one of the best activities for pet
parents to create a strong bond with their bond. Any activity which brings human and their dog
closer to the nature helps them creating a strong relationship. Playing with your dog also can be
a good form of exercise. Bringing structure in it helps them drain mentally along with physically
as they require controlling their impulses.
• Discipline –
Dogs are species which thrives on structure. A disciplined routine, rules and boundaries help
them channelizing their life. It also helps to establishing pack hierarchy for them. Having these
boundaries helps pet parents in their day to day life coexisting with their pets. This also includes
controlling excitement of your dog around food.
• Affection–
Giving affection is very important. Affection is also a form of reward. It creates high value of
humans to their dogs. Affection can be showed by petting, talking, giving attention, giving treats
or simply saying a good boy calmly.
This formula helps in forming this bond of trust-respect-love between human and their dog.
Conventional obedience training is important aspect of it and is most certainly part of this process.
Socialization of the dog in right age is very important aspect of parenting. Many people mistakes
socialization with off-leash playing with other dogs. True meaning of socialization is getting your dogconfortable with surrounding, with different situations, with different surfaces, around other dogs
and strange people, etc. The appropriate age of socializing a dog is age of 3-5 months. That age is
easier for them to adapt things; they build their personality, and form associations with surrounding.
It helps raising a confident puppy without facing behavioral issues due to lack of socialization.
Although sensitivity is part of the personality, socialization in appropriate age helps reducing the
intensity.
Following the framework will lead to raising a well behaved dog.
