Does Your Dog Cower When You Reach Toward Him?

You love your dog, and you want your dog to have the best life possible. You provide for him in such a lovingly way, and you give him the attention he deserves. However, sometimes it can be difficult understanding your dog's communication by way of body language. You can misinterpret signals or not fully understand what your dog is doing.

So your dog cowers when you reach toward him. This could be for one of two reasons or both combined. First, you have to understand that every breed is different, and there are mixed breeds of course as well. Dogs in general are submissive to their owners, especially when shown love. On the flip side, dogs can also cower because they've been abused in the past.

Now that you know the two reasons why dogs cower when you reach toward them, think about your individual situation and dog that you own. Have you been the only owner? If so, then you can omit the reason that your dog might have been abused in the past, unless someone else who comes into contact with the dog is doing it and keeping it secret.

If your dog wags his tail when he cowers, then you are likely just witnessing him being submissive to you and showing you love. However, just because he doesn't wag his tail doesn't mean he's not being submissive. To understand better why your dog cowers whenever you reach out to him, you can pay attention to other signs and again your individual situation.

For instance, say your dog cowers when you reach to attach his leash. Once you're done, he gets back up and wags his tail in excitement because he knows he's going for a walk. He is thanking you by cowering and being submissive to you because you are paying attention to him and a good provider.

Dogs love humans and they are very loyal to their owners. In reality, you serve your dog, and he or she is king or queen of the relationship. But, in turn they serve you. Dogs are great companions, and they can truly help show you how to live life to the fullest.

Dogs do not judge, and they love unconditionally. When wondering why your dog cowers, it's because he loves you and is submissive. If it's also because he was abused, then just realize you need to show him extra love.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Your-Dog-Cower-When-You-Reach-Toward-Him?&id=8699826

Training An Abused Rescue Dog

When you decided to go out and look for a new dog from the local shelters and rescues most people don't go looking specifically for an abused dog. However there is that very small group of compassionate people out there that simply have big hearts and are willing to bring an abused dog into their homes and their life. Lets talk about training that abused dog.

Yes, there it is that fearful little dog that is simply too fearful to approach you even though you can tell that it really wants to. The next thing you know you are on your way home with your new fearful dog at your side.

Has this dog been abused? Most people would say yes, however that simply is not always the truth. There can be several reasons that this new member of the family is so timid and shy. It can be a lack of socialization. Don't forget the period of socialization is from birth to 20 weeks of age. Maybe this little guy just did not get socialized. You really don't know because the rescue said it was found roaming the street so it has no history.

It can also be fearful because of genetics. Yes, we don't know anything about the parents they may have been fearful as well. In fact you probably know a human that is shy and withdrawn that was never abused so the same can be true for a dog.

Last but not least is yes, maybe there is some abuse in this dogs history. But time to move on and teach the dog that you can be trusted to treat it with respect and get it trained so it knows that it has a strong and understanding leader.

Start slowly building trust with you first and then with other members of your family. This will take time. I can assure you that it will not happen over night. It could take months and sometimes years.

Start off teaching your dog the very basics including sit, down and walking on leash. As time passes and the dog is catching on you can move to more advanced exercise like sit-stay and down-stay. Remember take it slow your not only training this dog you are also building trust.

As time progresses try to start socializing it with other people, dogs and even new locations. There is no exact time line for any of this because each dog will be completely different.

If you need help don't hesitate to enlist the help of a trainer that is experienced in working with abused dogs. Their experience will be able to help you move along at a good pace.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Training-An-Abused-Rescue-Dog&id=8667362