Understanding Canine Lifestyle: Essential Tips for Pet

Dog's Lifestyle and Habits

1. Social Nature. Dogs are inherently social creatures, naturally inclined to interact with humans, especially children. However, this tendency is largely influenced by the level of human interaction during their first 37 weeks of life. If a puppy spends the first two months of its life only with its parents or other dogs without proper human contact, it may develop a reluctance to socialize and be difficult to train. Puppies that are cared for and familiarized with human scents from an early age are more likely to develop a friendly and trainable personality.

2. Hierarchy Awareness. As pack animals, dogs have a strong sense of hierarchy. In a group setting, such as a kennel or a rural area, there is typically a dominant dog that leads the pack. The alpha dog asserts its authority through specific behaviors, such as not allowing other dogs to inspect its reproductive organs or to urinate in its territory. The subordinate dogs may exhibit behaviors like wagging tails, playfulness, or sitting or lying down in the alpha dog's presence, only standing up when the alpha leaves. Establishing clear hierarchy reduces aggression among dogs. Therefore, owners should maintain the alpha dog's image and avoid overindulgence to prevent the dog from thinking it is the alpha.

3. Dog's Perspective on Humans. Dogs are pack animals that respect leaders and protect their peers. In human households, they follow the commands of the head of the family. If the female head of the household is authoritative, the dog will obey her. Conversely, if the male head of the household is less involved, the dog may show more respect towards him. Dogs may feel fear in the presence of higherranking individuals or their own kind, but they may exhibit a strong protective instinct towards those of equal or lower rank. This is why the saying "a dog's eye is low to humans" exists.

4. Barking Instinct. Dogs often bark when they hear cars passing by or when someone knocks on the door. Barking is a common way for wolves to communicate with their pack. Dogs have inherited this instinct, which is why some dogs may even bark in rhythm to music. However, some dogs may not enjoy barking.

5. Territoriality. Dogs have a strong sense of territory and often mark their boundaries with urine. In their territory, they are energetic and confident. When they encounter unfamiliar places, especially areas with strong animal scents, they may become timid or anxious. This is often observed when approaching animal hospitals, where dogs may refuse to move forward, tremble, or even salivate with fear. Dogs frequently use their scent to mark their boundaries and update them regularly. A territory can belong to one or two dogs, or an entire pack.

6. Crawl Behavior. While crawling may seem ungraceful to humans, dogs exhibit this behavior due to their natural instincts. The purpose and expression of crawling can vary depending on the dog's age and gender. When a dog greets its owner after being away for a while, it may crawl all over the owner, expressing joy and affection. Sometimes, young male dogs may also engage in crawling, which is a form of play and a sign of happiness among dogs.

Tip: Click Dog Behavior Interpretation to learn more about the meanings behind dog behaviors.