Tag Archives: petting a dog

You can buy your dog all material things (food, treats, shampoo, collar, leash, biodegradable pet waste bags, dog poop scooper, flea powder, crate, etc.) but for the dog, the most important thing that matters is the love that you give the dog. Dogs, even the fiercest ones, are naturally affectionate creatures towards their master. The love and affection you can give your dog are priceless.

However, affection should be given at the right time. Think of your dog as your own child. If you shower it too much affection, it might think that it can get affection and approval every time it wants. Affection has to be shown at the right time and in the right amounts if you want your dog to grow up with a healthy disposition.

A perfect example of the need for control in display of affection would be dogs with separation anxiety. At some point, dogs become clingy to their masters when they get used to spending time with them a lot. These dogs suffer from separation anxiety when drastic changes in the schedule occur and they see their masters less. They also tend to get uncontrollably jittery and whiny when they finally see their master. Masters with dogs that have separation anxiety should not show affection to their dogs upon coming home. They should be nonchalant about coming home and wait for their dog to go into a calm state before they play with it.

Most dogs are cuddly and lovable but pet owners should show affection judiciously. There should be no showing of affection right after the dog has committed a boo-boo. That will just send the wrong signals to your dog.

It is also a mistake to coddle your dog when it’s showing signs of aggression or fearfulness. Don’t think that an aggressive or fearful dog will calm down when it receives affection from the master. Instead, it will think that its display of aggression or fear is something that’s worth its master’s approval. Dogs think that way.

Affection should only be shown towards the dog when it is in a calm and obedient state and when it does something that’s worthy praising. Let love and affection be a form of positive reinforcement of good behavior.

Before getting a pet, make sure that you can spend quality time with it. Many pet owners think that they are qualified to have pets just because they can afford it financially. They don’t think of it as an emotional investment. Make sure that you can shower your dog with love and affection. But at the same time, you must have the ability to discipline it. The right amount of discipline is a sign that you truly love your dog. But, too much affection will ruin that discipline. Balance affection and discipline for the sake of your dog’s welfare.