Dog Behavior

well you can train it to not go on the counter. Have some discipline, and about the furniture, you can either declaw them or get them a toy so they can scatch on that instead of the couch. == Declawing? No, no, no... it's obscene. How's the cat supposed to defend itself, climb trees, get out of dangerous situations without it's claws?

You can stop them from clawing furniture and getting up on work surfaces using the element of surprise! Shout their name and clap your hands, shout "Get down, " or "Stop that, " and they'll often get the message really quickly!

For scratching get them a scratching post, or nail some left over carpet to a door frame - they just love to be able to stretch up and pull down on their paws to get a really good scratch!

And, if all else fails, get a water pistol! You need one where the spray carries a decent distance (but not one of those pump action ones!) and if the cat starts to misbehave, shoot it!! It doesn't do them any harm but it definitely gives them the message...

Don't try the water thing if you have a Turkish Van cat as they just love to get wet... Answer: I cleaned out my guest bathroom entirely (my only non-carpeted space) and layed their cat stuff, and also layed HUUGE cardboard scratching post (one of those that if it gets dirty with hair and all u can flip and use the otherside, then toss them) - I use this because it's quite sanitary compared to having the permanent kind, even if it's more costly. Then heavily coat the bottom part of it with catnip so they can definitely smell it but not easily get to it. I gave them plenty of "better" food - my kittens love wet food even if they're almost adult now. And made it like a paradise, only that there's NO FURNITURE and NO FUTON and NO WOODEN SURFACE to scratch on. At first, they'd cry cry cry trying to get out, scratching the door. So I sprayed Lemon/Orange/Pepper scent on the other side of the door so they hate having that under their claws. Afterawhile, they settled down, there wasn't much to do in there, they started just going into bathtub, etc (i took away the shower curtain or anything they can claw on). After 2 days or so, they start using the scratching pad 'cause that's the ONLY THING they can defeat boredom with. After they get "how to use scratching pad", I let them out. They started chewing scratching furniture. I just pick them up when I find them doing any of those, toss them back into the bathroom and lock them up for couple hours. Then let them out again. And repeat the process. After 3~4 days of that, they LEARN that they get tossed back to boredom if they do certain behaviors. And they also LEARN scratching post is TOTALLY OK to scratch on (and that it works well for their claws). It also fixed various other habits like chewing on wires and defecating elsewhere. (I just hold their nose up close to their "stuff" when i find them, then tell them, in the disapproving tone of voice, 'NO' then put them back in the bathroom.) They eventually understand and don't do ANYTHING that will earn them a trip to a separated small space. they don't even scratch the carpet. But you have to be careful and don't make your "actions" look as punishment. when they're outside, they'll run away from you thinking you're just out there to grab them back in there. So you have to make sure to pat them and give treats and do everything to make sure you still LOVE them very very much. (in my case, I play fetch w/ them, lol... and also use a stick with mouse dangling to play with them, etc.). I also hold them very often to get them look outside (mine are indoor cats with lots of curiosity on what's going on outside). They were very used to me touching them. So they eventually differentiated between my hands grabbing them for trip to bathroom or my hands giving them a pat. (they usually KNOW when they do something bad and look at you with those eyes even if you still haven't figured out what they did wrong. they look SOOOO guilty) And if you just hate this clawing stuff still, and this is too much for you, u can always get soft paws. It's expensive to get it done at pet shop but if that's what you'd rather prefer, I guess that's the only way. My husband and I just bought the soft paw product, and we work together to put them on. I usually hold the cat or something so the cat can't move or jump or something, and he clips the claws, then we put the soft paws on. Some soft paws fell out after 3 weeks, some stayed on for almost 2 months. (they fall out when they "shed" their nail shieldings - it's like snake shedding skin, cats shed their outer layer of nail). And I used 1 package for both kittens, and whole packages last quite awhile. We didn't put any on the back claws since they usually didn't do much damage on anything. We only put these on when we brought the kittens to in-law's house which is entirely covered with the wooden floor (it was new house and we didn't want them to get nervous in new place and scratch) and stayed there for couple weeks. they simulate scratching behavior when they're under stress, too. (so we thought better of it and used soft paws and not a single scratch on the nice wooden newly waxed floor!)

They can be if they have a sound temperament and if they are raised with children or otherwise properly socialized with children.

As with any dog of any breed, if they are not mentally sound or not well socialized, they may not be safe around children.

No worries, German shepherds are a very good breed. If there are around less than 5 years old, just dont make them go in the house if you have a garden, that would be for the best.

They do this to display their dominance over an object, whatever it be.

When a dog (male or female) mounts anyone's leg, it usually is not sexual in nature, but dominance. Female dogs will mount female dogs, male dogs, a woman's leg, a man's leg, a small child, and even a stuffed animal. To correct this behavior, gently remove the dog from the leg, stuffed animal, whatever, and tell it NO in a firm tone. The intent is to let the dog know the behavior is inappropriate, not to scare it.

Dogs hump for dominance and control. Your dog needs to be spayed.

Dogs hump most of the time to establish dominance. Female dogs will also use the humping action to try and establish dominance over another dog

Because they, like any other animal in existence, get horny and hump anything in sight. My Mum's boyfriend as an example.

Generally this is a sign of dominance. Yes, I know, over a toy.

Because it's lesbian

Actually, your dog is masterbating. It is a natural thing for female dogs. Here is a link for you: http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/mounting-masturbation-dogs

because they need a man ,and want babies

They like to.

female dogs often hump eachother in a playing way not sexually usually when their on heat.

That is a show of dominance and it should not be tolerated. Make it clear with a firm "no" from both the kid and you that it is unacceptable. All family members need to be dominant over the dog.

Dog's live in a pack, and rather than having to kill each other to express dominance, they use various other methods. From nudging, growling and nipping, to all out humping.

Humping another dog is their way of saying "You are mine, will do as I say, or else."

Mounting is not necessarily about sex when it comes to dogs. In most cases (neutered males and females) this behaviour is linked to hormonal influences still present within brain chemistry. It is very common and is within the normal range of behaviour for a male and sometimes female dog.

It can be part of play, sometimes rough play and can be an attempt to gain access to the best resource on offer (the most suitable mate, and so on).

A dog can easily be trained not to 'hump' with rewarding training methods.

On occasion it can be as a result of a urinary tract infection so it may be worth getting this checked out.

The 'dominance' approach is very outdated and there is little scientific proof to support this theory. It has been refuted even by its initial proposer, David Mech.

You should always consult a qualified and accredited dog trainer or behaviour consultant for expert help and advice. Your Vet can recommend one and your pet insurance policy should cover the cost.

well maybe the dog are in heat

This is how dogs show their dominance towards each other. The dog that does this is the alfa dog

She would hump the other female to show dominance. This is a dog's way of saying, "I am the dominant one here!"

to assert dominance

Same as in a human that dies of 'natural causes' in old age.

1. Slowing down. This actually begins after the peak of adulthood and is usually not an immanent sign.

2. Sleeping more - spending more and more of the day in a state of light sleep.

3. Not wanting to eat much, then not wanting to eat at all. (Taste and smell are the first senses to go, hearing is usually the last.)

4. Not wanting to drink after a while, either.

5. Staying in one spot drowsing, not active.

6. As death approaches, extremities get chilly.

7 Possible incontinence. May have restless spells, confusion, 'seeing things.'

8. Near the end, obvious changes in breathing with eventual cessation.

Life expentancies differ for dog breeds. For some of the larger breeds, 12 - 14 is doing great. The process of dying can take hours to days.

Always ask your vet about your pet's health and any changes you see.

Get a male they are more playful.

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It is entirely up to the type of dog you want Male: Play full Hard to train aggressive sleepy hungry . Female: Sleepy Hungry play full goes on heat

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You should spend time with both to decide your personal preference. But some generalities can be made, they just don't apply to every dog, every breed, or every situation:

Male dogs are often more snuggly and cuddly as they get older. Males can be more aggressive to other dogs, especially if not neutered. Males tend to mark their territory more than female dogs, although both will do that, males will more often do it inside if they are intact (not neutered). Intact males can have medical problems from enlarged prostates as they age. Males can get very whiny and agitated when a female in heat is within scenting distance and will mate (in sometimes very sneaky ways) if given any slight chance to get in contact with a female in heat. Males are often better watch dogs, although females with certain personalities or with certain owners (who do not represent themselves as the alpha of the family pack) will also take on that job if they think no one else is. It is not my experience that male dogs are hard to train.

Female dogs will have cycles of reproductive symptoms (going into heat and needing "diapers" inside for the small amounts of discharge during their "season", needing to be kept separate from male dogs at those times~ which often is not an easy task, etc.) unless they are properly spayed ("fixed"). They will present you with puppies if you don't spay, which you should always do if you are not planning on a responsible breeding program. Females will more likely kill your grass from their urine since adult males raise their leg and spread their urine in smaller amounts around the property. Females can get vaginal infections so you need to keep watch for those symptoms especially if they are a long-, wiry-, or double-coated breed. They can get breast masses as they age, feel for little B-B sized lumps frequently when you rub their tummies. They can be aggressive to male dogs when "in season." They tend to be a little more aloof. They are equally easy or hard to train as males are, depending on the dog and the trainer.