Knowing The Typical Territorial Dog Behavior

Dogs can become territorial for various reasons, but there are ways that you can prevent your dog from misbehaving. It is best that you socialize and train your dog starting when he is still a puppy. However, you can still stop the aggression even when your dog is already an adult. Time, patience and safety precautions are very important things to keep in mind when dealing with a territorial dog.

A dog that has been abused or inhumanely treated can be territorial. It is also possible for dogs to learn this dog behavior from their owners. Smaller dogs usually suffer from small dog syndrome, which is when they thing that they are the pack leader. Puppies can also be territorial if they were not properly socialized at a young age. The presence of foreign people, dogs and other animals can create enough stress to make the dog resort to aggression.

Identifying Territorial Dog Behavior

A dog exhibiting territorial dog behavior can be possessive of people, places, toys and animals depending on the situation. Usually, you will notice physical signs first; the dog will likely growl, bark, show its teeth, hunch down and tilt his ears forward. His whole posture will change from relaxed to tense. If the dog is provoked, it will probably resort to biting and, if it is a male that has not been neutered, maybe even spraying a surface with urine.

Preventing Territorial Dog Behavior

To stop your pets territorial dog behavior, you need to step up and be the pack leader. Temporarily put a harness and a muzzle on your dog until you notice changes. Make sure that you walk ahead of your dog. If your dog is territorial around other people or dogs, put him behind a gate until it settles down, and take him out for short walk with its harness and muzzle to get to know new guests. If you get a dog when it is a puppy, socialize the dog with as many people and animals as you can to prevent territorial dog behavior in the future.

If you seek a veterinarians advice and you are told that medication is the best way to stop the territorial behavior of your dog, think this thoroughly and try an alternative first. Mood enhancing drugs can affect the liver of your dog in the future and potentially cause other health issues. Try using non-toxic flower essences to calm your dog.