WITH 10 million UK households owning a pooch, we are a certified nation of dog lovers.
For owners who want to understand their dogs better, Studio have teamed up with Pet Behaviour and Nutritional Expert Anna Webb to reveal the five different dog personality types and exactly what they mean for your pup’s behavioural and play needs.
Her helpful flow chart for owners to find out which of these personalities best matches their dog.
Want to find out more about your dog’s newly discovered personality? Anna Webb has provided a breakdown, below.
The Joker
Jokers are independent thinkers and natural comedians. They know exactly what they want, which can lead to attention seeking behaviours to get their way.
These ‘tantrums’ mean you might find the Jokers shredding cushions or chewing on table legs.
Read More on Pets
Urgent UK beach warning over little-known hazard which could KILL your dog
I’m a dog whizz & top four most ‘dangerous’ breeds you should never own
Plush toys are best avoided as they’re easily shredded by the Joker. Instead, opt for some non-squeaky or interactive toys to channel their fun-loving personality. Training a perfect fetch is great for reducing frustration with a quick high impact energy burn.
Practising basic cues, like sit, down, and stay, every day with the Joker can help to reduce jumping and barking for attention.
Frenchies, Bostons, Bull Terriers, and British Bulldogs are great examples of the Joker personality.
The Bell Boy
Bell Boys are very intelligent, making them more conscious of ‘threats’ to the home. For example, they’ll likely be the first to let you know when a delivery driver is close by.
Most read in Fabulous
I work at Wilko, customers ask the same annoying question about us closing down
Meghan beams at birthday dinner with Harry after Royals ignore her big day
Harry & Meghan befriend John Travolta after falling out with Beckhams
Wilko sale shoppers say ‘there’s hardly anything left on shelves'
A trained Bell Boy will bark and rush to their owner to check they’ve heard him or her, before retreating to his bed and letting you answer the door. So, owners should focus on create a boundary around the front door by teaching their dog to settle in bed and rewarding them for doing so.
Using a variety of toys will help to sustain the Bell Boy’s interest throughout the day, making them less bothered by surrounding stimuli. Basic obedience cues with tasty rewards will also help to reduce unwanted behaviour.
Tibetan Terriers, Poodles, Westie’s, and Chihuahuas are Bell Boy breeds that love to alert their owners.
The Workaholic
Workaholics love being on the go – they’re high energy and enjoy working hard for their owners through training and play.
If their workaholic nature isn’t satisfied, these dogs may become bored and turn to barking, jumping, and chewing. Long lasting interactive toys or chews are a great way to minimise this unwanted behaviour.
Workaholics are eager to please and thrive on being busy, so daily obedience practice with positive rewards, such as treats or non-squeaky toys, are a great way to keep them occupied. Make the most of their drive to ‘sniff and find’ with hidden toys in the home or garden.
With their love of sniffing and searching, Cocker Spaniels, Border Collies, and German Shepherds display classic Workaholic traits.
The Protector
Protectors naturally want to protect their territory and can be suspicious of other dogs and humans. Lots of socialising and rewarding your pup with high value treats for good behaviour with other dogs is the best way to combat this.
As naturally good problem solvers, they may turn to misplaced chewing unless re-directed. Avoid squeaky toys, which can over excite and trigger negative behaviours, and instead focus on proactive play such as fetch or tug.
Protectors are easily trained, so tapping into their problem-solving brains with obedience cues is a great way to keep them occupied. They might like to follow your around the house, so train a settle cue for a designated safe space in each room.
The Protectors tend to be larger breeds such as Akitas, Dobermans, and Rottweilers.
The Shrinking Violet
Tending to be nervous or unsure, the Shrinking Violet can be found in any breed. They might be a re-homed dog or one that lacked socialisation as a puppy.
Read More on The Sun
Inside Paris Fury’s relatable life – from days out with her 6 kids to B&M trips
EastEnders legend unrecognisable 25 years after shock soap exit
Often an introvert, the Shrinking Violet might be ‘spooked’ by sudden noises, making it vital that they have a safe space to retreat to.
These dogs need lots of patience and an owner that can build their confidence with positive reinforcement. They may not think they like to play, so soft plush toys with squeaks are a great way to get them engaged. Using chews also helps to keep the Shrinking Violet calm and present.
Source: Read Full Article
