Dog Behavior ? How To Cope With Dog Aggression To Other People
Although this can be linked to aggression towards visitors, it can bring its own problems. Whereas we generally have control over who comes into our houses, we can neither control nor predict who we will meet outside, or how they will react to us or our dog. Behavior can vary from occasional barking at certain individuals, to barking, snapping and lunging at anyone the dog considers too close or a potential threat or problem.
Possible causes:
• Nervousness is perhaps the most common. The dog feels that he has to keep strangers away. It is usually due to inadequate socialisation, but can also be due to bad experiences in specific circumstances.
• Genetic factors can be influential.
• Territorial behavior. The more time a dog spends in an area, the more territorial he can feel. Some dogs feel that the local park ‘belongs’ to them.
• Expectations. If a dog is used to seeing no one on his walks, he may be startled when someone suddenly appears. Again, this is linked to effective socialisation.
• Learned behavior. The more a dog practises this response, the more likely he is to show it next time.
• Some dogs show this behavior to particular groups of people, such as men, children, people carrying bags, people with sunglasses on and so on.
Prevention:
• Socialise. Ensure that your dog has good experiences with different types of people, in different circumstances.
• Reward good behavior.
• Be relaxed and friendly towards people. If your dog feels that you are tense when people approach, he will be the same. Try saying ‘hello’ to people to show your dog that you are friendly and relaxed.
• Walk in different places, both quiet and busy, so that your dog learns to cope in all environments.
What to do if problems have arisen:
• Do not reward unwanted behavior or tell the dog off.
• Teach the dog the right way to behave.
• Ensure that you are not giving unwanted cues, such as becoming tense and tightening the lead.
• Seek expert advice.
This problem is especially seen in:
• Nervous dogs.
• Dogs who were not well socialised as a puppy.
• Dogs from rural areas.
Safety is essential if a problem has arisen. Whilst a muzzle will not alter how the dog thinks and therefore will not cure the problem, it can be a good way to feel more confident whilst working to teach the dog new habits.
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Dog Aggression To Visitors – How To Stop It
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