Capricorns are the ultimate guard dog. This isn’t because they are vicious, or quick to discern good and bad. Capricorns are just plain miserly; if they have something that they consider theirs, they will defend it tooth, nail, fur, and fang. Perhaps because of that, your Capricorn is a little bit aloof most of the time. It wants to keep an eye on its domain. Even with that exploring, they won’t ever do anything foolish. Capricorns are not the dogs that tunnel into the yard that has a bigger dog, or that get in fights with alley cats. They just want to be clear that they are in charge—at some level, anyway.

Although Capricorns like to maintain a schedule, they are patient enough to wait for food if things are running late. They may eventually grumble and bark if their needs aren’t met—at least, if the basic ones aren’t—but they will eventually forgive you. That being said, many Capricorns never go for much petting and cuddling. They tend to have a quirky side, though, that makes for lots of laughs. In private, Capricorns sometimes try and bungle the tricks that you have tried to teach them. They think the laughs are approval—and since it’s so much fun, you probably do approve.

Whenever visitors come over, Capricorns will usually retreat to a safe spot where they can observe the proceedings. They are not timid and will not run away for the sake of running away, but if they have decided to stand back and watch events unfold, you won’t be able to coax them out with anything short of a T-bone steak. It’s probably safe to feed your dog the occasional delicious morsel without it requiring filet mignon for life, but be careful. That should be just a reward, and not a frequent bribe. Be sure that dog-sitters and guests are aware of this, too. When your Capricorn eventually warms up to a visitor, it will expect your friend to maintain essentially the same attitude not only throughout the whole visit, but whenever he or she returns. If your uncle slips scraps to your Capricorn under the table at every family dinner, your Capricorn will be right under his chair every time. If he ever changes the routine, though, you’re in for a mess. Because your dog is so patient, once your uncle leaves without sharing something special for your dog, you will be the one left to cop it from your canine.

As with humans, so with other pets: your Capricorn is slow to respond and swift to judge. Capricorns are slow in changing their opinions, especially regarding new animals. No matter its overall reaction, a Capricorn always angles to keep the upper hand in the territorial game. It barks and growls if the other animal comes near its food or toys. Once it has scared or confronted the pet threat, a Capricorn usually will go for the other animal’s possessions. Your Capricorn is usually wise enough to know that it shouldn’t do that if the animal is particularly aggressive, but anything shy of a fiercer bark and larger teeth is fair game for a Capricorn’s caprice. Try to surround your dog with Tauri and Virgos—failing that, just be firm in your pampering. Serve up your filet mignon with strict commands, and your Capricorn will take the hint.