Understanding Your Dogs Protective Instinct

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We all know that dogs have a protective instinct. It’s an instinct that has been nurtured over thousands of years of evolution; a desire to protect the people they care about, the humans that they see as their family. For many people, the protective instinct is one of the foremost reasons to getting a dog, and this is all the more true if you’re thinking of disaster-preparation.

To truly get the most of your dog’s protective instinct in the event of a disaster, you first need to understand that instinct. How does it work? How can you utilize it to your benefits? Is that instinct transferable to different people or properties? Read on to find out all the answers you need…

What Exactly Are Dogs Protecting?

Given that many people use dogs to guard their home, it’s easy to think that dogs are protecting the actual building. This is a concern if you’re disaster-prepping. You may wonder if your dog will offer protection if you have had to bug-out and transfer to another location.

Here’s the good news: dogs don’t protect buildings with any particular vigor. Sure, they will bark if someone they don’t like gets too close, but for the most part the building isn’t really the concern. Dogs aren’t territorial in the same way that cats are. You can see this in action in the way we live with our pets; cats are allowed to wander around the neighborhood, as they will always find their way back to their territory. Dogs… won’t; if your dog gets out, there’s a high likelihood you’ll have to go and retrieve them rather than them coming back of their own accord.

So What Do Dogs Protect?

People. The only reason your dog is particularly concerned about your home is because you’re in it. Dogs can also be protective of items they consider to be “theirs”, such as blankets and bowls, but for the most part their focus is primarily on people. This is why having a dog from https://scottsk9.com/ is an ideal way to protect yourself and your family; these dogs will look after you specifically, no matter where you are or where you live.

You can see this effect in action if you take your dog to pet-friendly vacation rentals; they will be just as protective of your temporary home as they are of your actual home-- because you’re there. This is well worth remembering if you’re concerned about losing your dog’s inbuilt protective instinct if you, for any reason, need to abandon your home. If you’re there, then your dog is going to continue to be just as protective as they would be at your home address.

Can The Protective Instinct Be Controlled?

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You can’t stop the urge of the protective instinct, but you can train your dog so they don’t react to it unless you command. Basic “sit” and “stay” commands are your best methods here, so you can be sure that the protective instinct doesn’t go too far. Your dog is, after all, primarily a pet, so you’re going to want to know you’re safe to take them for a walk without aggression issues materializing.

In the event of a disaster, your dog’s protective instinct might just be your best friend. Nurture this instinct correctly, train your dog to control it, and then you can be reassured all is well-- wherever you are in the world.

Here's a great place to visit online for pet articles SimplyPets

Taking Responsibility: The Dog Owner's Guide To Getting It Right

There’s no relationship quite like the connection between man and his best friend. If you’ve got a dog, it’s so important to understand your responsibilities. When you bring your new furry friend home, it’s your duty to look after them and keep them safe, fit, and healthy. Here’s a guide to getting it right to help you.

Image from https://www.flickr.com/photos/gorefiendus/3432756019/

Making your home dog-friendly

It’s essential to ensure your home is a safe environment for a cuddly creature before deciding to get a dog. Dogs need space to move around, a comfy spot to settle and an environment free from hazards. It’s a good idea to prepare your home before you bring a new puppy or rescue dog home to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Place a fireguard in front of an open fire, use stair gates to prevent them from going into rooms you want to keep dog-free and move cleaning products, chemicals and medicines from cupboards and drawers that could be discovered by a keen nose. Buy some toys, a bed and some blankets and stock up on food.

Giving your dog love and attention

Dogs don’t like to be alone, and they crave attention. Dogs aren’t naturally solitary animals, and they long for cuddles and human interaction. If you have a dog and you work long hours, or you tend to go away on the weekends, it’s a good idea to have a look at facilities like Camp Diego dog boarding or ask a friend or relative if they could dog-sit for you. Spending time with people will boost your dog’s happiness and wellbeing and hopefully, reduce the risk of them getting bored and chewing slippers, sofa cushions or new clothes.

Exercise and playtime

Dogs need exercise, so if you’re thinking of getting a new best friend, be prepared to walk, even in the pouring rain. It’s not enough to let your dog run around the backyard for a few minutes each day. All breeds are different in terms of how much exercise they need, but all dogs should be walked at least once a day. If you can’t walk your dog as much as you’d like to, have a look for a local dog walking service. Take time to play with your dog and have fun together. Throw a ball for them in the woods or chase them around the garden.

Maintaining good health

Aside from ensuring your dog is active, it’s also important to make sure they have a healthy diet, and they get the care and attention they need. Initially, if you have a puppy, you’ll need to call the vet and organize vaccinations. You’ll then need to visit periodically for boosters. It’s also a good idea to worm dogs regularly and to keep an eye out for fleas. Dental health is also important for dogs, as gum disease is a very common issue. Brush your dog’s teeth and organize regular checks.

Image credit https://pixabay.com/en/woman-dog-pacsi-paw-hobby-pet-888409/

If you have a dog, you are responsible for that bundle of joy’s health and happiness. Hopefully, these simple tips will help you get it right.

The Necessitates Every Furry Friend Needs From It's Owner

We share this planet with some of our furry friends. They may not understand us totally, but when we have pets, they connect with us on a very deep level. It's the responsibility of every owner to give their dog or cat the best we can give them to make sure their life is fun and fulfilling. Their living standard is completely in our hands, and because they don’t live as long as us, it's our duty to make them feel loved. However just as they don’t understand us word for word, we have trouble knowing what they’re thinking and feeling. It can be daunting to become a pet owner if you simply feel lost and don’t know what the very basics are for keeping a pet fit, happy and healthy. It's not that difficult, but the results will vary on how you approach certain things that every furry friend needs.

Image by Alexas_Fotos

Plenty of play

The number one cause of pets that gnaw on furniture, ruining couches, sofas and wooden legs of dining tables is because the pet is restless. They don’t do it out of wanting to get revenge or to make your life harder; it's just that they have to release that tension somehow. Therefore every pet needs plenty of play. If you have a dog, it's recommended to walk them twice a day, once in the morning and once more in the evening. It doesn’t have to be long, but the dog has to get rid of all the pent-up energy and express it in the form of sniffing around, marking his or her territory, and run around chasing something. The same with cats, they need to able to stretch out and use their natural reflexes to chase a fake mouse or play with a ball of wool.

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Constant check-ups

Many dogs will see their bodies start to let go as they get older. The hip joints and the pelvis region are the number one areas of concern for ageing pets, dogs and cats alike. This is why no matter how healthy they might be right now, sooner or later they will need check-ups by professionals. As this is sure to be over a lifetime, it's crucial to seek out the best low cost vet care. When you do, you’ll be asked to sign up your pet, and they will then be given their online account. You can see their entire medical history with the vet, and this gives you a chance to spot any reoccurring problems that will eventually leave patterns so you can recognise what might be best for your pet. You can also choose from different healthcare plans that also go up to advanced for the pets that have complicated and possibly rare conditions.

The basics of maintaining the living standard for pets is something that every pet owner must invest time and money in. The regular health check-ups will become irreplaceable the further on in life your pets go, but giving them a healthy and active lifestyle is just as important to keeping their moods level and predictable.

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