Fearful Dogs

Stella looking a bit worried. Photo Courtesty Robyn Arouty Photography

MICHAEL BAUGH, CPDT-KA, CDBC

HOUSTON – Fear in dogs is rather common, just as it is in humans. In fact, in both species it’s normal. Fear has an evolutionary function. In the proper context it protects the gene pool. Remember survival of the fittest? The cautious survived too. Keep that in mind.

Curiosity in dogs (and people) is also normal. We’re both social creatures. In the case of dogs, curiosity conquers fear easily in the early stages of development. Around the age of 5 weeks, dogs become mobile and start taking in their environment. By the time they go home with their new families at about the age of 7-8 weeks, they are in their prime for meeting and bonding with human beings.

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Is Your Dog Really a Wolf in Shih Tzu Clothing?

Photo courtesy: Peta Clarke

MICHAEL BAUGH, CPDT-KA, CDBC

HOUSTON – A lot of dog owners still worry about whether their dog is “dominant,” or if their dog is an “Alpha.”

Admittedly, there are still some dog trainers who feed that worry (and feed off it). Fortunately there’s some good research that debunks those ideas and frees us to have better, smarter relationships with our dogs.

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