Introduction to the Nature and Habits of Dogs

The nature of dogs:

1. Loyalty

Dogs are loyal to their owners and will not betray them.

2. Kindness

In front of their owners, they are gentle; they also protect their children and the people around them.

3. Stinginess

When eating their own food, they do not allow other animals to eat.

4. Aggressiveness

In the face of strong opponents, they are fearless and protect the people around them.

The habits of dogs:

1. Hierarchy

Dogs have a good instinct for living in groups, but there is a clear hierarchy within the group. In a dog breeding ground, rural area, or suburban dog pack, there is always a leader dog (usually an older dog) that dominates and governs the whole group.

2. Sociability

Interacting with humans is a natural habit for dogs, but the extent of their interactions often depends on the degree of "imprinting" with humans between 3-7 weeks of age. If a dog only stays with its parents or other dogs during the first two months of its life and does not gradually get to know humans, it will live a life far away from humans and be difficult to train. If it is born and raised with human affection, it realizes that humans are friends, playmates to have fun with, and becomes familiar with the scent of humans. It becomes friendly towards humans, making it easier to train.

3. Territory Sense

Like other animals (such as feline, avian, and rodent animals), dogs also have a sense of territory. They mark their territory with their scent as the center and frequently update it. A piece of territory can belong to one or two dogs, or the entire dog pack. When an outsider dog intrudes into another dog's territory, it acts very cautiously. If the owner of the territory (dog) appears, the intruder does not dare to look at the owner, pretends to be busy with other things, avoids fighting with the owner of the territory, and then leaves. So, how do dogs mark their territories? Usually, they fix certain points along the usual routes they walk. For example, when a male dog goes out for a walk, it always urinates a small amount on certain fixed tree trunks, lamp posts, or corners.

4. Habit of sniffing genitalia

The most important sense for dogs is smell, and they can discern the gender, age, physical condition, and attitude of another dog by sniffing the external genitalia (this area's glands secrete a scent that is highly attractive to dogs). When two dogs sniff each other, they are making a statement. An older dog or the leader dog has the right to examine the external genitalia of younger male dogs, female dogs, and puppies below its rank. When two dogs come into contact, they have a certain procedure: first, they sniff each other, then they touch each other's shoulder fur, and finally, they examine the external genitalia. Besides sniffing each other, both male and female dogs regularly check their own genitalia and diligently keep them clean by licking.