Dog Behavior

There is probably something in your couch. Trash may be between or underneath the cushions and/or rats and mice could be building comfortable homes in your couch stuffing. You may want to try cleaning your couch if it has not already been done.

Dogs are "pack" oriented; they have their own social structure and hierarchy from the leader (alpha male and alpha female) to lowest underlings. In socializing with other dogs they go through various rituals consisting of muzzle, genital, and butt sniffing, a general "feeling out" or introduction, before they establish a relationship and status.

Second, we need to look at communication.

Dog communication, besides vocalization (barks, growls, howls, etc.), consists of body language, positioning of ears, eyes, tail, and stance. For example, Dominant dog (head, ears, tail erect and direct eye contact) and a Submissive dog (ears and head down, tail low between the legs and no eye contact). These two are probably the most commonly recognized body languages and isn't much different than our own body language (except for the tail and ears). Other body "signals" that most dogs give before reacting are the raising of hackles, stare downs, fearful threats, defiant stance, and the T-bone.

Raised Hackles-

Hackles are the hair on the neck and back that are raised involuntarily in anger or flight.

Stare Downs-

Staring is always associated with dominance, usually followed by aggression.

Fearful Threats-

A slinky low posture with the tail between the legs and the ears rotated back to one side.

Defiant Stance-

Head, tail, and ears held high with a stiff body posture accompanied by a slow forward movement.

T-Bone-

Dominate gesture of placing the head over the shoulders of another dog.

Recognizing these types of body language will help you take action and avert any injury to your canine companion or yourself.

So what should you do when you observe these warning signs?

--Always watch your dog and stay close. When other dogs approach, observe how your dog reacts and how the other dog approaches your dog.

--Never let your dog play or stray too far away from you in case you need to intervene.

--Break the eye contact. Remember, staring is an act of dominance and is followed by acts of aggression. Divert or distract your dog by calling him to you, turning him away from the other dog, offering him a toy or a food treat.

--Lastly, react immediately. Don't wait to see the outcome, once you recognize the warning signals intervene and take action.

Following the warning signs and taking the appropriate course of action will make your life and yours dogs a lot safer and happier.

That is a question for the place maganemet. Now, in Indiana:

Clinton County IN Confirmed Restrictions on pit bulls

Elkhart IN Being discussed (10/09)

Fowler IN Confirmed Banned Pitbulls

Ft. Wayne IN Being Discussed 10/07

Gary IN Unconfirmed Restrictions

Lake County IN Confirmed Restrictions on Pit Bulls

Lake Station IN Unconfirmed Ban pit bulls

Mishawaka IN Confirmed Pit bulls are defined as Dangerous animals and there are restrictions in place, insurance, leash laws, etc.

Portage IN Being Discussed (12/08)

wolf hybrids, coydogs, rottweilers, pit bulls, German shepherds, akitas and Doberman Pinchers.

South Bend IN Confirmed Pit Bulls are heavily restricted, doesn't apply to Am. Staffordshire's or Staffordshire's

St. Joseph County In Being Discussed

Veederburg IN being discussed (04/08)

Wabash IN Being Discussed (11/07)

Walkerton IN Unconfirmed Banned Rotties

Williamsport IN Unconfirmed Unknown

Winchester IN Unconfirmed Unknown

the island of Kyushu

Mosts Labs are very calm and don't bark much. Thry are also short haired dogs so they don't shed much.

Shock collars are NEVER the way to train a dog, especially a puppy. Puppies are very sensitive to the world as it is; add an electric shock every time they perform a certain task and you will have, not a trained dog, but a dog that is insecure and, therefore, more likely to act aggressive. Shock collars are part of what is called negative reinforcement training, where something bad happens to the dog if they do not do what you want. Negative reinforcement teaches your dog to do what you want because they fear you. Positive reinforcement teaches your dog to do what you want because they get something good and they want to please you. Positive reinforcement is always the way to go with training. You and your dog will be much happier.

Not entirely sure why you want to know this..

But from my own limited knowledge I'd say a gunshot wound would paralyze a Dog if it damaged the animals nerves, or if the wound got a serious infection.

You should take it to the vet just in case because maybe it can get stuck in their digestive system and it depends on how big was it

Hi~ my yorkie duagther borned two puppies last year

One opened his eyes at around 8 days

one opened his eyes at around 12 days

hope this info can help you~

At around age two to three but there pretty much fighters at around 7 months

no, she "breastbeeds" through the nipples on her abdomen

yes they do or unless the raccoon has to search for food than that's a different story

It depends on the individual dog and your personal preference. Always make sure you meet a potential pet first, to make sure it's a good fit. I have had experience with both male and female labs, and they were both wonderful.

WIth a rock. Thrown at high speed, of course. Or, just shoot it. Or, just throw a really heavy log on it. Or, just cut its head off. Or, pick it up and swing it around really fast and bash its head off of a tree.

Whine refers to a high-pitched, complaining sound often made by animals or people expressing discomfort or dissatisfaction. It can also describe a type of persistent complaining or nagging. Whimper, on the other hand, is a softer, more subdued sound typically associated with pain or distress, often characterized by short, weak cries. Both terms convey a sense of vulnerability and are often used to describe emotional or physical discomfort.

A dog with rabies should be destroyed, as rabies is not curable, is almost always fatal, and causes great suffering to the animal in addition to being dangerous to people and other animals near the infected one. In short: yes, you should be worried, and you should immediately have the dog put down in addition to receiving prophylactic treatment yourself.

A dog can become a mixed breed when its parents are two different purebred breeds

Ex.) Labrador + Poodle = Labradoodle

Um im not sure where you got your info from but. If you get bit by a human likely don't have to go to a hospital bit by a dog you develop red streaks on your arm you have to go to the hospital because you have a blood infection and will be sick and possibly die in a short period of time. Human bites you need to watch for HIV and infectious disease like that I guess the differences is long term death vs short term.

Wire if swallowed can puncture the stomach and intestine in which case you need to take it to the vet. Dogs will eat a ton of things they're not meant to. It can be that they just like to chew things. On the other hand it could be an indicator that there is something essential missing from their diet. My husky was constantly licking the hinges on my doors inside the house, a sign she was lacking in vitamin B complex. Supplimenting her diet with dog vitamins has stopped it.

Preferably not as a dogs mouth is full of bacteria and germs.

yes a dog can but only if they have a saw stomach or throught if they do not show thses symtoms then the dog should not through up ! i would sudjest to see a vet

Your dog may have an OCD as they too can get Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The best way to stop this from happening is to distract your dog with a toy or something that he loves

NO! Of course not. There really isn't such a thing as a "bad dog" just bad owners. It all depends on how you raise them just like people. Do not think of them as pocketbook dogs but regular pets. Treat them just like a big dog. Don't carry them around and they will be the nicest pets.

Sure, if you want the ASPCA, PETA, and all other animal welfare organizations breathing down your neck threatening you with fines you can't pay off, because you have to get pleasure from dogs. How sad.