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EMOTIONS OF DOGS

Yes, dogs have emotions and bond very strongly.  The most important preconditioned behavior for a dog is that they need to bond with the pack to survive.  This is not a game to the dog, but in his mind necessary for survival. This is why the alpha male carefully nurtures its behavior with all pack members.

Dogs are capable of SUFFERING as humans are and experience rejection similar to humans, like human children.  If a dog is taken away from its pack, it will suffer and then try to find another pack to bond with.

Dogs also feel ANGER and FEAR, like humans.  So, your dog can be angry with you or fearful of you.  It is important to not make your dog fear you, while he should respect you.  Aggression is always accompanied by fear.

Dogs also feel the enjoyment of HAPPINESS.  All you need to do is observe their behavior when you come home.

I feel that dogs EMPATHIZE as well. If someone is ill in your family, it is very likely your dog will be there to comfort this individual.

Always remember to APOLOGIZE to your dog if you inadvertently hurt him.  For example, if you step on his toe, apoligize, your dog knows what this means.

Dogs can be PROUD of what they have done.  Don't forget to praise your dog for a job well done; this lets him know you are proud of him and he should be proud of himself.

Dogs do not have the emotional states of PITY. This is important to understand because your dog will not feel pity for another so if the pack order is not correct, they feel no worries about displining a lower level pack member.  

The bottom line is we should understand that dogs have emotions similar to a 3 to 4 year old child. Thus, we should love on them alot, but not let them get the upper hand.  

RULES

Dogs like humans can learn and follow rules. This is important for their survival. Dogs need to be in a certain emotional state of mind to follow rules.  Essentially in social drive.

They will break the rules of course if the matter is more important to them. But, if the rule is broken in a pack, the higher level dog will discipline the offender. The observance of rules is governed by the pack level.

Dogs are very committed to following the rules and will ask for permission to do something if the human pays attention (watch your dog he does ask for permission for things). If you do not pay attention and recognize this, they will stop asking! Dogs do make an effort to understand communication to them, especially when it is important to them.

Dogs will learn the rules from other pack members by observing other's behaviors.  So if you have another dog, they will teach each other.  Keep this in mind when you get a puppy with another adult dog in the house.