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TRICKY! This could be True or False!
You should be able to approach your dog at any time.
But you may not be able to safely. Dogs can be possessive and territorial about food, toys and sleeping areas. A child grabbing at a toy the dog has, trying to take food away, or who disturbs the dog's rest is at greater risk of being bitten. A well-trained dog should allow toys and food to be taken away if needed, but even a well-trained dog may decide to hold on. Sleeping dogs who are startled awake may nip. It can be scary or threatening to a dog to be suddenly woken up. If you need to get something from a dog, ask an adult to help. If you need to wake a dog, call his name, tap the floor, but do not grab the dog. Wake him up gradually. Older dogs may have less tolerance than younger dogs. With age can come a lessening of vision, hearing and the increase of aches and pains. All these can affect just how much a dog will tolerate. Then there is how much has the dog been taught to tolerate. For example: dogs not used to having their feet touched may nip when you grab a foot. Dogs not used to having things taken from them may lash out. Should you be able to approach a dog at any time? Yes. Should you? No.
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TRICKY ONE! This could be True or False!
Female dogs with litters may become quite protective of them and not appreciate anyone coming near, especially in the beginning. Even if you know the dog well (even
if your family owns the dog),
if she has puppies, use extreme caution when approaching. If there is no owner or adult around, leave them alone. It is better to be safe. You should be able to approach the puppies that your dog has had. However, she may undergo a personality change with the onset of motherhood so it is best to wait until a parent or adult guardian is with you before trying to pat the puppies.
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TRICKY ONE! This could be True or False!
Yes, you should be able to do anything you want to your dog WITHIN REASON.
Things that hurt or scare can result in a bite. Dogs do not have words like humans do. They rely on the body language and even teeth to get points across. Dogs have different tolerance levels. One dog may not mind you walking up and hugging him while another dog may feel threatened and nip. Some dogs are very possessive of food and toys and should be left alone while chewing toys or eating. Same with sleeping: a dog woken up suddenly may nip out of fear. Mother dogs with puppies may not like even their best human friend picking up a young pup. She may decide to defend her babies. Poor training and socializing and housing (maintenance) of a dog can result in bad behaviors developing and make the dog more prone to biting. Wresting and improper play can teach dogs it is fine to bite. Just because you own a dog, does not mean you can do whatever you want to it.
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TRICKY ONE! This could be True or False!
Spaying and neutering are not cure-alls for dog behaviors.
Sadly many people think this is all that is needed to make a well-behaved and mannered pet. To have any effect at all on temperament, spaying and neutering should be done before the dog hits six months of age (before puberty starts). Combine this with proper training and socializing, and this can help reduce dog bite problems. However, most people who do not spay or neuter their pets are often not the most diligent owners. Their dogs may be poorly trained and socialized. Overall, more unneutered males have bitten than neutered males and more unspayed females have bitten than spayed ones. Hormones do play a role in some behaviors but good behavior and manners take more than just spaying or neutering to achieve. An intact dog who is well trained and socialized can be safer than a spayed or neutered dog that is not well trained or socialized.
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