|
Something else you MUST need to do, ESPECIALLY if you decide you want a large dog is find out what issues of dominance you may have to deal with later on down the road when it grows out of puppyhood. Understand that ALL dogs will challenge you for dominance at different points in ther lives. I'm not just talking about the dog trying to bite you. ever see a dog that knows it's not supposed to be on the couch, and then you walk in the room and tell it to get down. then the dog doesnt do it? That is a dominance issue. There are many other examples of this type of behavior that I am too lazy to write about. Also know that all dogs are pack animals. The reason for the whole dominance issue is that the dog needs to know where it fits into the pack. It has to have this for social structure. A dog will actually be happier and more confident once it knows that you are dominant leader, it lets the dog know that it is truly in a pack. You will want to find a pup that won't fight you for dominance too hard.
You dont want to end up with a fullgrown dog with an attitude thats trying to run your house. The absolute best way to determine a pups dominance drive is to put it on it's back, and hold it there. This is a universally submissive position for any dog. Whomever has the dog in this position, and is holding it there is in the dominant position of the dog. ALL pups will initially try to squirm and fight to get away. What you are looking for is a pup that doesnt fight continually to get up, and quickly submits and looks away from you. The harder a pup fights against you, the more that particular pup is dominance driven.
ALL breeds have some who are good and some who are bad. I had to have my right ear surgically reattached after it was bitten nearly off by a collie! Yup, a collie. Go figure, lol.
hope this may have helped.
|