How to show affection to your dog?

Question

how can you show your dog affection but contiuie to be alpha?

if we are cudling should i always be over her?

Answer 1

Affection is a reward so only give your dog affection when she is behaving well and in a calm state. You can also ask her for a command (e.g. sit or down) before giving any affection. This way the affection is a reward for her following your command.

Be careful not to give affection when your dog demands for it (by poking his nose at you), when she is fearful, or when she is misbehaving. Doing so will reward those behaviors, making it more likely that she will repeat them.

Answer 2

You trained your dog, so for that reason you will always be the alpha. You show affection with love and attention same as a person you love.

Answer 3

Words can be wonderful, but they can also become terribly confusing to people.   Nowhere is this truer than in human relationships with dogs.

Affection means different things to different people;  but affection is really nothing more than affection.  There are many different ways to show affection;  Time spent with your dog is a major signal to the dog of your commitment. Time also nurtures attachment, affection: love.

Love means providing needs;  Adequate food each day, medical care-especially at times of pain or sickness, exercise, shelter, basically all the necessities in life we as humans crave, so do dogs.  

But dogs are not people - they have NEEDS but not the same WANTS, they interpret the worlds a little differently.  Dogs don't NEED the large houses, fancy cloths, expensive toys - What they WANT is regular exercise, a stable pack leader, affection and most of all someone that really does love show them love.  

Answer 4

A good way to show affection is to rub their chest. But to keep your alpha roll, when you stop and the dog tries to get you to keep rubbing, don't. This tell the dog that begging will get it what it wants. This allows the dog to think he/she can control you.

If you have food or treats do not give your dog any till he/she does what you want it to do.

For example my chihuahua begs for food all the time. But he is not allowed to have his doggy treats until he is laying down and not paying attention to use. Other wise he would be trying to get into our laps to eat our food all the time

Answer 5

You have to separate the affection from the discipline. When you play with your dog, you can hug him, squeeze him, or kiss him any way you want.

However, when you discipline him, you must maintain control at all times. Never show your dog that you are afraid of him, even if you are. They pick it up immediately and take control.

Once you have established the Alpha position, it is done. You dog will always submit to you.

Nancy, HappyK-9

Answer 6

Dogs don't need to be "cuddled".

The best thing you can do for your dog is treat her like a dog, and provide rules and boundaries that you demand her to follow.

Answer 7

I kiss my dog and pet her a lot. She loves it. She comes up to me so I will love her.  

Answer 8

i pet my dogs, give them there everyday needs walk them and run them.

Answer 9

Give affection when you want to, not because she asked for it. If she does ask for petting and you don't mind giving it, have her do something for you first (sit, shake, etc.) and then give affection as a reward for pleasing you.

However, unless you have an extremely head-strong and bossy dog, there is no need to be concerned that giving affection when the dog asks for it is going to diminish your role as the leader.

As far as your posture, be aware that most dogs don't enjoy being hugged or having someone lean over them. Doing those things may prove that you are "alpha" but they are not going to contribute to a pleasant moment with your dog, at least as far as she is concerned - and isn't that the point?

Answer 10

Never pet my dog when he comes up and nuzzles me.  I just let him nuzzle.  I live by the rule that nothing in life is free with our dogs and it keeps them in check.  That doesn't mean that I don't get on the ground and roll around with them, i just do it on my time and my terms (pretty frequently too).  =)

Answer 11

The key is not the amount of affection you give your dog,its weather or not,you are the boss. A dog needs mental and physical exercise. This is a good way of showing authority.

I love my dogs to death and am always affectionate.However,I never allow them to do what they want.Discipline is the main key, and this earns your respect.Once a dog has your respect, they know exactly where u both stand.If u allow a dog to run YOUR life then it can get ugly. I spoil my animals rotten but they are also well behaved in return.

For example,you wouldnt allow your dog to Pee on everything in the house,chew things or bark constantly.U wouldnt let your dog jump all over everyone and be a nut.These are all the boundaries and guidelines u need to set.If u give a command,make sure u carry it thru every time and b consistant. Dont make it do it today, then be lax the next.

Affection can never be over done in my opinion.The only time I dont show affection is when the dog has done something it knows is wrong.Praise in that case only encourages more bad behavior.The dog thinks its being rewarded with affection.

I am in a position to comment on this as I have the qualifications to prove it in dog handling.I train my own dogs at home for security purposes and have trained animals a lot of my life.

Patience and consistant wins every time. Mu mum has 3 little dogs she lets run a muck.They bark constantly,never listen to her and one even growls and snaps at her if she tries to put id down on the floor.TOTALLY unacceptable, sorry.

My dogs are inside a lot with my 5 kids and 9 cats, and hubby of course, LOL and we all live in harmony together because everyone knows who's who and where they all fitIf u are asking if a dominant position is need, no, be natural and just love them as u do a person.

If i can help further, feel free to email me sweetie,

all the best!

Answer 12

stroking, petting, giving it dog treats