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Dogs “speak” through body language. Watch for these stress signals, so you know when to intervene:
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2 | Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Thinking helps build confidence and tires your dog out.
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3 | Being around young children can be stressful for dogs. Kids have high-pitched voices, move quickly, and are unpredictable. They chase, fall on, dress, hug, corner, and pick up dogs.
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4 | Management is your best friend. This is every dog trainer’s secret. Make your life easier by heading off problems, instead of getting angry at your dog when they happen.
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5 | “Socialization” is not the same as exposure. Socialization is an over-used term that has come to mean “throw your dog into any and all situations and hope for the best”. Your #1 priority should be to help your rescue dog feel safe.
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6 | Training is a process. Dogs don’t come home knowing our language and rules.
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7 | Dog parks and some of the larger day care centers can sometimes harm your dog. It’s up to you to keep your dog safe in any situation.
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8 | We humans use body language that can be threatening to dogs. We approach dogs head-on, bend over them, and reach over their heads to pet them.
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9 | Most reactive/aggressive behavior is based on fear. Punishing fear just creates more fear. Punishing aggression just creates more aggression.
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10 | You don’t need to intimidate or punish your dog to get the behavior you want. Your dog will respect you if you are consistent and kind.
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