The Canine Corner

[Valencia]

Hello one and all!

As a professional dog handler/pack leader, I'm really into dogs...obviously. So I wanted to start a thread for people to chat me up on all things canine, especially if you have questions about any kind of doggie behavior. I should be able to answer them all, and if not I can always point you in the right directions.

Plus, I'll share some sweet pictures from work, such as:

[SweetSierra]

Such beautiful dogs ! I've two Yorkshires myself. Do you have any recommendations on keeping my wee beasties people-friendly ? I've noticed going around that a LOT of the small-breed dogs are very standoffish- at this point mine LOVE people and are great about strangers approaching them. I'd like to keep this "Yay people!" mentality, is there anything I can specifically do to encourage it? Also, I don't know if tiny-breed dogs would still be within your area of expertise, or if they're a whole different deal, so apologies in advance.

[Valencia]

No apologies necessary! A dog is a dog. They all have the same needs. Breed factors into it very little.

In order to keep your pooches psyched about people, keep up with the socialization. Having them around strangers often and ensuring that these are positive experiences should cement their friendliness. Occasionally, there may be one or two people that they are not okay with, but don't get to worried about it. Dogs pick up on subtleties that we don't, and if they sense something not quite right they may not want to be approached by it.

My pup is great with kids and most people, but if someone is nervous or afraid of him, he then gets nervous and afraid of them! :P

[SweetSierra]

My furry babies.

I rather felt as much, but there are a lot of breeders- specifically breeders of tiny dogs- that try to make it into something magical and mystical and VERY specific to breed. Usually, the issue ends up being more that they're hyper-happy and even with people who are afraid of them, they just dance on their hind feet and want to say hello and assure them that they're friendly. Which usually causes the individual in question to get antsy. Thanks for reassuring me that I'm doing the "right thing" when I take the furbutts out in public and let tourists socialise with them. :) 

[Valencia]

Aww! They're darling!

Whichever breeder told you that is trying to sell you something...oh yeah! Dogs are social animals to begin with. Granted, some breeds are selective bred for personality traits, but you can't make them more social or less. It's what they all are.