Canines are hardwired to protect their territory from intruders. In most cases, they communicate a warning to others by barking; it’s a form of intimidation. If a trespasser fails to heed the warning, your pooch’s barking might turn into pacing and growling as if he is preparing for a physical confrontation. If the trespasser still refuses to leave, the pacing and growling may evolve into an attack.
If your pooch shows signs of territorial aggression, it is important to begin discouraging the behavior as soon as possible. Otherwise, your visitors’ safety might be at risk. This article will provide several tips you can use to discourage your dog from behaving aggressively over his territory.
Before Training Begins
There are a few medical conditions that can influence your canine’s tendency to act aggressively toward others. For example, hypothyroidism causes a deficiency of thyroid hormones and can lead to his feeling overly-anxious. If he becomes agitated enough, his anxiety can potentially prompt an attack.
You should also take precautions to ensure that you and your dog will not be interrupted by strangers during your training sessions. Close and lock your gates, especially if you’re training him off-leash.
Action Steps To Curb Aggressive Behavior
First, make sure your canine receives at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. That will help prevent pent-up energy from contributing to his anxiety or aggression.
Second, devote time each day to training your dog to respond to your single-word commands. Many professional trainers recommend a program that includes two or three short sessions (5 minutes per session is sufficient) each day. Whenever your canine successfully responds to your commands, provide a food treat.
In addition to these training sessions, make your pooch work for everything he desires. For example, require him to sit before serving him meals or giving him attention. Over time, your canine will learn that if he wants something, he must follow your commands to acquire it.
One of the challenges owners have with canines that are territorially aggressive is that their dogs often try to usurp the role of leader. This can be due to several factors, including a laxity toward actively curbing the aggressive behavior. To that end, it may be necessary to place a head halter on your pooch in situations that might provoke his aggression.
For example, if you’re expecting visitors with whom your dog is unfamiliar, a head halter will gently encourage him to submit to your authority. That gives your pooch an opportunity to meet new people, and be rewarded (with treats) for staying calm when others trespass on “his” territory.
The suggestions above are effective for canines whose territorial aggression is based on dominance. If the aggressive behavior is triggered by a fear-based mechanism, a modified approach including desensitization and counter conditioning is necessary. Training in such cases is focused on reducing a dog’s level of fear and changing the manner in which he perceives a potential threat. We’ll address those training issues in an upcoming article.
Find the best Dog Bones and Odor Free Bully Sticksat http://www.bestbullysticks.com
Other articles you might like -
Small Dog Training [/caption]All dogs need training, be they small or large breeds. Among the biggest complaints dog trainers are asked to address are: incessant barking, chasing the vacuum cleaner, aggressive behavior toward visitors and other family members, other dogs during their walks, or other dogs and cats in the home. All too...... -
Four Tips to Get Your Dog to Actually Respond to You [/caption]If you've ever tried a dog training tip or tactic that you saw on television and realized that it's not as easy as it looks, then you're probably wondering why your particular dog doesn't seem so responsive. In some cases, it may be an issue with the dog, but more...... -
3 Common Dog Training Mistakes [/caption]Although there are plenty of strategies that have been formed to train dogs, many people agree that there are a few principles to follow in almost every case. As our awareness of dogs and their behavior expands, these principles are reinforced, but we also learn some of the wrong ways...... -
Juan Chela Defeats Querrey in Houston At the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston, Texas, over the weekend, Juan Ignacio Chela who is currently ranked #82 worldwide came out blazing and defeated Sam Querrey for his first win since 2007 and his fifth title. Â He won the $79,900 prize, with Querrey taking home the second...... -
Embarcadero Cove Marina Embarcadero Cove Marina is located in Oakland, CA. Phone: 510.532.6683 View Larger Map Website: N/A Wet Berths: 109 Average Depth: 13 feet - however, please call ahead to the harbormaster to get the current data before making the trip. What You Need to Know Is There a Marine Standby Channel?......