Some Facts Regarding Dogs
1. A pup will prove to be an excellent companion for a pet cat.
Since a small puppy has lot of curiosity, he is likely to provoke even a docile and mild-tempered cat. In these circumstances, the family members should take care for some time to protect the puppy, which may stand the risk of being seriously injured. After sometime, the dog and cat are likely to become friendly. Cats are more territorial and take longer to adjust. On the other hand, introducing a kitten to an adult dog in the family does not cause much of a problem.
An interesting illustration of the compatibility between a dog and a cat can be seen from the following example:
The author’s family once had a bitch and a female cat. Coincidentally both gave birth to pups and kittens, respectively, with a difference of only two or three days. Occasionally, the pups were put to feed on the teats of the cat and vice versa, and both the mothers fed the little ones happily without the least apparent feeling of disturbance or abnormality. There is no harm if a dog and a cat share food from the same bowl, but we must realize that both species have different nutritional requirements.
2. Chasing his own tail is a pup’s form of play.
This may be very normal when the puppy is excited and in a playful mood. However tail-chasing and biting may also be due to irritation in the anal glands. It is, however, desirable to get the pup checked by your veterinarian if the tail-chasing is repeated many times for a day or two.
3. Dogs are incapable of finding the homes of their previous owners once they have been away for a while.
Amazingly there are cases when dog owners had to leave their dog with some friends, when they had to shift to another town more than 100 miles away, as it is not possible for them to keep the dog in their new home. The owner of one such dog received a letter from the dog’s foster home that the dog had disappeared. The dog, which had no idea where the owner’s new home was, reached in a badly emaciated condition.
Research needs to be conducted on how dogs can sometimes accomplish such incredible feats.
Various species of birds that migrate are said to rely on the sun and at times, the stars for navigation purposes, but this is not known about dogs. Man is said to possess an internal biological clock which takes several days to reset when he travels long distances by jet plane. Perhaps dogs also possess an innate time sense or some latent abilities for navigation, but nothing is definitely known as yet. Some dogs may have a greater potential in direction than others. Even amongst human beings, some people get lost in the streets of the city where they have lived for many years, while others have an uncanny ability to get around even in strange cities.
4. Dog-training should be started at the earliest.
When you get a puppy of about 8 weeks of age, he is already ready to learn house-training. Some animal psychologists state that puppies can begin more difficult training when they are 7-8 weeks old. Some special techniques are required for this training, but since they are still experimental, they should be left professional trainers. Basic training like walking on a leash, SIT and LIE DOWN commands and coming when called, can be started at the age of 3 to 4 months, by that time the pup should have his vaccinations. Most pups under 3 months of age have less power of retention. We have to be extra patience with a pup less than 3 months of age to win his confidence. However we should not begin serious higher obedience training before the dog is about 4 months or older.