Tag Archives: dog behavior

Which is More Protective: Male or Female Dog

Just for you: a chapter from If You’d Asked Me…the ultimate collection of bathroom or waiting room reading, A new chapter appears here every three weeks, usually by Friday. You can get a complete copy, right now, in PDF format, or, if you like, as a paperback. For details, visit our Books page or send a request through our Contact form.

Section II: Going to the Dogs
(Or Cats)

28. Are male dogs more protective than females?

Unlike the case with humans, female dogs are more dominant than males. That doesn’t mean a male dog is not protective, because the dog is a pack animal and pack animals collaborate in defending members and in defending their territory. But a female dog is likely to take the lead in defense.

Come to think of it, I’ve had a female corgi do her Defender of the Realm act when a workman entered the house, while a large male retriever emitted an alarm bark but hung back through the whole encounter.

When Your Dog Damages Your Friend’s Stuff

Just for you: a chapter from If You’d Asked Me…the ultimate collection of bathroom or waiting room reading, A new chapter appears here every three weeks, usually by Friday. You can get a complete copy, right now, in PDF format, or, if you like, as a paperback. For details, visit our Books page or send a request through our Contact form.

Section II: Going to the Dogs
(Or Cats)

22. What is the right thing to do when my dog damages a friend’s property while visiting in their home?

Oh, horrors! You should have offered to buy or repair the damaged item.

One of my German shepherds once ate a friend’s (expensive!) sunglasses. Ingratiatingly strolled over, lolled around my friend’s chair, snuck up on her purse, snabbed the shades, and chewed the darn things up.

Of course I offered to buy her a new pair. My friend declined . . . but I’m afraid she wasn’t very happy with that dog. Or me.

Why Does My Dog Sit on Me?

Just for you: a chapter from If You’d Asked Me…the ultimate collection of bathroom or waiting room reading, A new chapter appears here every three weeks, usually by Friday. You can get a complete copy, right now, in PDF format, or, if you like, as a paperback. For details, visit our Books page or send a request through our Contact form.

Section II: Going to the Dogs
(Or Cats)

20. Why does my dog sit on me?

She’s bigger than me but continues to sit on my chest. Is she protecting me?

I do not know what urge suggests to your dog that she should sit on your chest, but I’d suggest if you don’t like it, you should simply train her not to do that. Remove the pooch from the throne and set her aside gently but firmly. Say, without yelling or sounding unduly annoyed, “No. Do not sit on me.” (Believe it or not, if you combine a short sentence with a term or phrase the dog already knows, such as no or good dog, a dog can pick up the meaning of a short sentence fairly quickly. You have to repeat it a few times but she’ll get the idea.)

This behavior will probably not stop soon, and it will require you to respond consistently Every time she takes up her position on your boobs. But eventually it will work.

The dog is sitting on you because you allow her to sit on you.