Dogs, Cats and Other People - Column by Matthew Margolis

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Dog Talk with Uncle Matty: Your Dog's Personality

Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis

"When Good Dogs Do Bad Things" is the title of a book on dogs that I co-authored with Mordecai Siegal. Chapter three is titled, "Your Dog's Personality." That's right, your dog's personality is weighty enough to warrant an entire chapter in a book.

When we discuss a dog's personality, it's important to note the difference between personality and temperament. Temperament is one's natural disposition, determined by genes. Personality, as written in chapter three, "encompasses genetically derived behavior along with environmentally influenced behavior, which can, to some degree, be modified."

Understanding your dog's personality is infinitely useful. In fact, it's wise to get to know a dog's personality before he becomes your dog. Think of it as a chance to choose a relative. And choose carefully. This dog will be your responsibility and a big part of your life for the next 15 years or so.

There are six canine personality types, and any one dog can have up to five of the six types. The only personality types that are exclusive of each other are "nervous" and "sedate." There's no such thing as a relaxed, nervous dog.

The six personality types are:

-- hardheaded/stubborn

-- laid-back/sedate

-- excitable/nervous

-- timid/shy

-- responsive

-- aggressive

There are five tests that will help you unravel the mystery of your pup's personality. The tests and their general purpose are listed below. For detailed information on how to safely and effectively administer these tests, please read "I Just Got a Puppy. What Do I Do?" This book takes you through each test, step by step, and is available in your public library, your local bookstore or at unclematty.com.

-- The Social Attraction Test measures your pup's reaction to people. As you kneel down and talk to you dog affectionately or employ a high-pitched whine, he'll get excited or bark, back away or approach you playfully, whine back at you, stare you down, and on and on. His reaction will give you insight into his personality.

-- The Sound Response Test is designed to determine whether your dog is noise shy and is done in two parts. First, you'll shake a can containing about 10 coins, obscuring the can behind your back. Second, you'll toss the can about 10 feet away from the dog. The dog's response to noise, both when the source is known and unknown, will tell you what kind of behavior problems you might be faced with and how to effectively deal with them.

-- The Reaction to Discipline Test is used to determine whether your dog has been hit or punished by hand or with a newspaper on various parts of his body. This is an important test, as the dog may have negative associations with the human hand that could lead to aggression. It is a test that is given in two parts -- one using the hand, the other using a loud voice. Both parts require caution, and neither should be given to a dog that has previously displayed aggressive behavior like snarling, growling or biting.

-- The Dominant or Subordinate Test will determine whether your dog has a dominant or subordinate personality. The test involves lying your dog on his back and gauging his reaction to your dominant position. Neither dominant nor submissive is bad. It will simply tell you what to expect and how to effectively relate to your dog.

-- The Physical Sensitivity Test is not so much about personality as it is about your dog's tolerance for pain and discomfort. Understanding how sensitive your dog is to pain will help you prevent dog bites.

I recently administered all five personality tests to six golden retriever puppies from the same litter. The dogs had the same genes and were the same breed, yet all six dogs had their own unique reactions to the tests and, therefore, their own unique personalities.

Please be sure to thoroughly educate yourself before putting your dog to these tests. Vital procedures must be followed in order to prevent harm to you or your dog, and in order to gain the valuable insight you seek. Getting safely acquainted with your dog's personality is the smartest first step you as a dog owner can take.

Woof!

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Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Read all of Uncle Matty's columns at the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. Send your questions to dearuncle.gazette@unclematty.com or by mail to Uncle Matty at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619.

Copyright 2009 Creators Syndicate Inc.

This news arrived on: 08/29/2009

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