Puppy licence: does it apply with people too?
The «puppy licence» is something people talk about between dogs – what the idea means for contact with people, and what it does not mean in law.
Dog behaviour: guides and knowledge
Simply explained articles from the DOGSY knowledge team on dog behaviour. You can read the start of every article without an account, and the full text after free registration.
All articles on dog behaviour (38)
The first meeting: two people, two dogs
Two people, two dogs, one first meeting: with the right place and a little patience, you're off to a good start. And if in doubt, you simply stop.
Reading your dog's mouth
Loosely open or tightly shut? Your dog's mouth alone can tell you how they're feeling. Here's how to look properly.
Reading your dog's eyes
A soft gaze, a hard stare, the whites of the eyes showing: your dog's eyes tell you how they're feeling right now. Here's how to read them.
Take warning signs seriously before things boil over
Before a dog snaps or bites, he almost always warns you, quietly at first, then more clearly. Here's how to spot the signs early enough.
Calming signals: your dog's quiet messages
Licking their nose, turning their head away, yawning: with quiet signals like these, your dog tells you something is getting too much. Here's how to spot them.
Reading your dog's ears
Pricked forward, turned to the side or pinned right back: your dog's ears show you how they're feeling. Here's how to read them.
What your dog's tail tells you
Wagging doesn't automatically mean joy. How the height, speed and sweep of the wag show you what's going on inside your dog.
Recognising your dog's play bow
Front end down, bottom in the air: that's how your dog invites others to play. Here's how to tell whether it's really about play.
Understanding growling – and never punishing it
Growling isn't rudeness, it's an honest warning. Why you should never forbid your dog to growl.
Good and bad stress in dogs
Not all stress is bad. A little excitement is actually good for your dog. What matters is that they can settle down again afterwards.
Why closeness helps stressed dogs
Comforting doesn't spoil your dog: your calm presence helps them let go of stress. Why cuddling is more than just lovely.
Does my stress rub off on my dog?
Your dog notices right away how you're feeling. Why your tension rubs off on him – and your calm gives him security.
Displacement behaviour: when scratching means stress
Your dog yawns, scratches or suddenly sniffs the ground for no reason at all? That's often a hidden sign of stress.
When stress builds up in your dog
An exciting day, and suddenly one small thing is enough? Stress adds up. How to make sure your dog gets enough rest.
The high-energy dog: channelling all that energy
Is your dog a bundle of energy, playful and always on the go? Here's how to give that energy a good outlet – while he still learns to settle down.
Is my dog's personality inborn?
Is a dog born the way he is, or do we make him that way? A bit of both – and that's actually good news.
The curious dog: busy mind, happy dog
Your dog loves new things, learns fast and gets bored quickly? Here's how to keep a curious dog happy and well occupied.
The sensitive dog: guiding with a gentle touch
Does your dog startle easily and take a long time to settle down? Here's how to give a sensitive dog the calm and security they need.
The cautious dog: routine brings security
Does your dog prefer the familiar and would rather look at new things from a distance first? That's not a flaw — here's how to give them the security they need.
Taking your young dog's fear phases seriously
Your young dog suddenly gets spooked by things they never minded before? That's common during adolescence – and there's a lot you can do to help right now.
Getting your puppy used to people
Men with hats, loud children, unfamiliar faces: your puppy should get to know lots of people from their best side. Here's how, without overwhelming him.
Understanding mounting in dogs
When a young dog mounts another, many people immediately think of sex or dominance. Usually they're just overexcited. Here's what's really behind it.
Getting through your dog's teenage phase
Your young dog suddenly ignores you and acts wild? His brain is going through major rebuilding right now. Why that's normal and how to stay calm.
Teaching your dog to relax on cue
A calm word or a familiar blanket that helps your dog wind down: you can train that. Here's how to build a relaxation cue.
Too excited to learn
A dog that's completely wound up can't learn anything — and neither can a bored one. Here's how to find the sweet spot for your training.
Feelings are always learned too
Your dog beams when you reach for the lead, but trembles on the way to the vet? That's learned. How feelings get linked to experiences.
Getting your dog used to new things
Vacuum cleaner, city or brush: in small steps, your dog learns that new things are harmless. Here's how to go about it the right way.
Why -just push through it- harms your dog
Forcing an anxious dog to “simply sit out” his fear? That usually makes things worse. What really helps instead.
Does my dog have to greet every dog?
No — and that's actually a good thing. Why a few good dog contacts are worth more than many fleeting ones, and how to walk past other dogs calmly.
Safety islands for insecure dogs
Fixed resting spots along your route give anxious dogs something to hold on to. How to build safety islands where your dog can switch off.
Meeting other dogs on the leash
Another dog is coming towards you, and yours is already pulling on the leash? With enough distance and a small curve, encounters stay relaxed.
When your dog is afraid of people
Strangers scare your dog? With distance, patience and good experiences you can help him become more relaxed.
Learning to handle frustration – through play
Not melting down when things don't work right away: your dog can learn that. With little games that practise patience on the side.
Why chewing calms your dog
A good long chew relieves stress and helps your dog settle. How to use it in everyday life for relaxed moments.
Spotting & easing stress in your dog
How to tell when your dog is under pressure – and how to help them calm back down.
Reading your dog's body language
Your dog talks to you all day long – with their eyes, ears, tail and whole body. Here's how to learn their language.
Your dog's personality
Daredevil or sensitive soul? Why every dog is wired the way they are – and what that means for your life together.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean when my dog growls?
When a dog growls, many people get a fright and want to stop it right away. But growling isn't a bad thing. It's a clear message: this is too much for me right now, please stop. Your dog is talking to you – and that's valuable. A dog that growls doesn't want a fight. Quite the opposite: they warn before anything happens, instead of simply snapping. That gives you the chance to defuse the situation. In fact, they're behaving very politely and considerately.
What does it mean when my dog wags its tail?
Three things give you clues: how high the tail is carried, how fast it wags and how loose the movement is. Roughly speaking: carried high means confident or highly excited. Held low or tucked under means unsure or afraid. A stiff tail shows tension.
What quiet signs does my dog show when things get too much?
Common ones are: licking their nose, turning their head or gaze away, yawning, moving noticeably slowly, sniffing the ground or approaching something in a curve instead of head-on. On their own and briefly, these are all perfectly normal. But if the signals start piling up, your dog is tense.
How can I recognise a genuine play invitation?
In a genuine play invitation, the body is soft and mobile. The ears and the corners of the mouth are relaxed and drawn back, the gaze often looks slightly to the side, and the tail is held rather low. Everything about this dog looks loose and springy – nothing is stiff or rigid.
Puppy licence: does it apply with people too?
You hear about the «puppy licence» at every dog meeting: a young dog is supposedly allowed to do anything, and the adult dogs let him get away with it. The next question is often whether this also applies towards people – for example when a puppy jumps up at someone or nips them. The short answer: no. And even between dogs the puppy licence is less reliable than the word promises.
Dog behaviour: do the articles replace veterinary advice?
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These articles are no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY knowledge editorial team.