Ever wondered why some grown dogs still act like pups?
It is not unusual to see a fully-grown adult behaving playfully, in fact that is something we encourage at Houndog. Playtime is essential for dogs. Dogs have their own rules in play, but humans can have their patience tested when being in the company of a large dog acting goofy in close proximity.
Problems often arise when we allow or encourage behaviours (which we may think are cute) in puppyhood to spill over into adulthood. For example, a dog jumping up toward us or on us is often rewarded in puppyhood. We respond by immediately making eye contact or talking to the pup, picking it up or getting down to play with it.
As Ian Dunbar reminds us, puppies are often fussed over when they are jumping up in excitement or greeting us. However if an adult dog (especially larger breed) behaves in the same manner it is met with all sorts of negative reactions and sometimes harshly punished. In this scenario, the dog’s only fault is that it grew. It is just trying to say hello and its owner to love this. Remember?
Dogs don’t speak our language. They are thrust into a world that is foreign to them. We make the rules and sometimes expect them to know what is allowed without teaching them. When you teach the rules, please try ‘not’ to change the rules as the dog ages.
If you have a small breed you may not even see excitement or jumping up as a problem, but we suggest to folks that ‘four on the floor’ is the best way for your dog to be. With a smaller breed it may just save your dog being stepped on. Four paws on the ground is something we recommend for dogs regardless of size, age or breed. Exercise your dog according to its energy requirements and then in the down time you can ask a little more from him without excitement always taking over. Your dog doesn’t have to become a robot around people, but a simple default ‘sit’ or ‘down’ can go a long way.
Leah & Angela OMeara
Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)