08/09/2024
"My dog is friendly!" ...but are they? 🤔 Let's talk about it!
In terms of dog friendliness there's a spectrum that dogs will fall on. On one side we have dog aggressive, meaning zero dogs zero percent of the time, and dog friendly, which means all the dogs 100% of the time. Most dogs don't sit squarely on one side or the other but find their temperament somewhere between the two, depending on situation, weather, energy level, and the other dogs themselves.
This grey area of tolerance can also adjust when a dog is actively in a situation. This is exactly why dog parks are generally not a great idea- too many dogs with too many levels of tolerance creates a breeding ground for emergencies.
This spectrum also applies to how dogs feel about us humans! Like with dogs their tolerance can vary and fluctuate based on a number of factors, both internal to the dog and external from the human!
Barrier reactivity can play a role in tolerance as well! Adding a door, leash, fence, or other restraint can push a dogs tolerance to the aggressive side of the spectrum because barriers tend to frustrate dogs.
It's imperative to know your dog's body language cues that will let you know when their tolerance is being tested or when they're above threshold. This will keep you, your pup, and everyone around you happy and safe! 🐕
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