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What type of energy does your dog have?
Is your dog content to lay around regularly and enjoy being pet and with you? You have a low energy dog.
Is your dog sometimes interested in doing things/activities with you or at times goes about making his or her own entertainment? Your dog is a medium energy dog.
Does your dog want to be doing something regularly and after finding things to do without you needing to encourage your dog to be active? You have a high energy dog.
These are examples which give an idea about the energy levels of dogs.
The best thing for you and your dog is to be paired according to your energy level as much as possible. If you have a dog who is regularly wanting to go for a walk, chase rabbits, or balls, or enjoys many activities, and you want to enjoy watching a movie, doing crossword pushes, and relaxing in the sun, then this would be a match headed for many, many challenges. Or, as some people think of this as headed for trouble.
Take the time to assess your energy level, the activities you enjoy, and as many aspects about your lifestyle as possible because this is a great guide to finding a dog that will fit well into your lifestyle. It isn't about the breed as much as it is all about the energy.
Take the time to learn about the different dog breeds, their different skills, and abilities, and everything possible so that you know the dog well which will be your best companion. If you enjoy outdoor activities and you have a dog who really enjoys being home laying on the sofa with you, then this dog would be better with someone who has a more relaxed and restful life style. Thus, you should seek a dog who wants to be outside enjoying activities. Within the different breeds there are different energy levels, abilities, and natural things dogs are able to do and enjoy. Finding the dog for you is like looking for great, valuable, and wonderful treasure.
Consider this: if you want jewelry and you get tools wouldn't you be disappointed and find yourself with something you really do not want? Now if you find the jewelry or tools depending on the treasure you seek, wouldn't you be absolutely thrilled to have found the best dog for you? Of course finding this warm, furry, loving and devoted treasure will be wonderful if you and the dog are a good match for each other. Please take your time searching for the canine treasure, it will be well worth the time and effort.
When you have a dog with energy which is comparable with yours it is likely that the partnership will work out well. This depends on understanding of the dogs view of the world and your ability to teach the dog house rules, public rules, and behaviors required for dog and human to enjoy sharing this world.
Leadership is of great importance even when the dog you have chosen for a life long companion is a leader by nature. Remember who is providing food, water and shelter? You are the leader and should be in charge.
If you are not the leader guess who is and in fact is in charge even when not paying the bills? You got it! If you aren't leading the dog is. It is a natural thing for the dog to lead if no one else is doing this.
Even dogs who are natural followers will take the leader position if it is left void.
A dog who is a natural follower does not want to be in the leader position but if necessary will do this. The results are not good for the dog or the person. Dog and person wind up unhappy, things go wrong, and often the dog pays the price because of being misunderstood.
Now what?
Your research has been in depth, and completed, and now it is time to start visiting with dogs. I recommend spending time with many dogs and then gradually deciding on the dogs who seem to be the best fit for you. As you find a small selection of potential life time companions, you will be able to study the individual and discover things which they are good at doing that may give you a clue about their behaviors and talents. Depending on what activities you plan to enjoy with your dog, you should watch for the natural rates to appear. This may mean investing in several visits with the dogs. Your treasure hunting is an investment in a life time of joy and wonderful life experience with your life long companion. Whatever the dog enjoys and does naturally is a clue about the things your dog will likely do if not supervised, getting proper exercise, and mental stimulation. If you do not want your dog to find it's own means for using the energy it has, then it is up to you the leader to guide the dog and show it what is expected. What is allowed and what is not allowed.
Spending time with your dog doing what you and your dog enjoy is beneficial for both of you. Exercise is of great importance for the dog especially walking with the leader, you. More about the walk in the next post.
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