*Invite your dog to come to you for attention. If your dog turns away or moves away, respect his wishes and leave him alone. Many dogs like to be near you, but not necessarily to be touched.
*Scratch your dog on the side of the neck or on his chest.
*Avoid hugs and kisses. People enjoy this, but most dogs don't like hugs and kisses. They might tolerate it, but few actually enjoy it {although Chloe is one of those dogs that treasures hugs and kisses}.
*Invite your dog to sit with you while you read or watch tv. Let him lean on you or put his head on your lap on his terms {Chloe adores it when kids lie on her during their reading sessions}.
*Some dogs enjoy a scratch behind the ears. Most dogs don't enjoy hands coming down on the top of their heads.
*Pet your dog and then stop. If he tries to get you to continue then you will know he likes it.
Play With Your Dog
*Play games like fetch and hide and seek that do not involve chasing or rough play.
*Take your dog for lots of walks.
Understand Your Dog
*Learn to read dog body language so that you can understand what your dog is trying to tell you.
*A happy dog pants and wags his tail loosely. He may wag all over {Chloe is notorious for the whole body wag}.
*An anxious dog might show a half moon of white in his eye or he may lick his lips or yawn. He may turn his head away or walk away. He wants to be left alone.
*A dog that suddenly goes stiff and still is very dangerous and might be ready to bite.
*A dog with his mouth closed and ears forward and/or with his tail held high is busy thinking about something and does not want to be bothered.
Reward Your Dog
*Look for things your dog does right and give him a treat or praise, petting or play. Never hit or yell at your dog.
*Give your dog a stuffed Kong or other long lasting chew treat to enjoy while he lies on a mat or in a crate.
Read more about dog bite prevention at www.doggonesafe.com
Great tips!
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