Each one of us has our own personal space, an intrusion into which causes a lot of discomfort. But did you know that animals have personal space too? Dogs, just like humans, also need their personal space to be respected.
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However, people often violate their dog’s comfort by coming too close.
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❔So, just how much personal space does a dog require?
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Usually, the formula is simple: the length of personal space equals the length of the dog’s body. This means that a small dog’s personal space is much smaller than that of larger dogs. This distance is like a bubble that surrounds the dog from all sides.
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By crossing each other’s personal space, dogs perform meeting rituals. The more dogs know and like each other, the fewer rituals you can observe between them. And vice versa – dogs that are on colder terms with each other tend to ritualize their relationship much more.
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A dog that trusts a person or another animal will let them into their personal space. If trust isn’t present, the dog will simply walk away or exclude the intruder. But even when your dog trusts you, you shouldn’t overuse your privileged position.
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Sometimes we all need a bit of rest from socializing, even with our closest friends. So, try to not violate your dog’s personal space with no need.
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Make sure to keep that in mind when you choose where to organize a place for your pet. If it is located in the middle of a hall or too close to places where people or animals crowd, your dog might end up feeling uncomfortable and frustrated. In this case, some dogs even start openly expressing their discomfort when people try to approach them.
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The best solution is to reconsider the location of your dog’s place, keeping in mind that your four-legged friend also needs to feel secure.
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Every owner wants a dog that trusts and respects them. And this can only be achieved if they, in turn, respect their dog’s personal space 💛
