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.

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Here’s a surprising new fact: Dog experts have discovered that puppies respond to attention even before they’re born! This new knowledge means that dog training can begin while puppies are still in the womb.

There’s a wealth of information about dog training, but experts say that one of the best reasons to train a dog properly is to establish a relationship of mutual trust. Unlike other kinds of pets, dogs are social animals that have been bred through centuries to serve and be close to their human owners. Dogs by their nature are pack animals that look to a leader to know how to behave, and a human who doesn’t establish this kind of relationship really fails to take good care of his or her dog.

About three weeks after they’re born, puppies entertain into a behavioral period known as socialization. Between three and 12 weeks, the main task of puppies is social play. The investigate, they “play-fight, ” and they mimic sexual behaviors. Their subsequent behavior is shaped by the puppies interaction with their mother and littermates.

Unfortunately for dogs, humans for centuries had an attitude that it was necessary to “break a dog’s spirit” in order to train them properly. This attitude resulted from humans’ sense that they had to dominate their animals in order to control them properly. Thankfully over the last century or so, animal experts have learned much about the natural instincts and behaviors of dogs so that puppy training has advance from this earlier, more cruel attitude.

However, all puppies go through a period of “stranger avoidance” between six and 12 weeks. This is a natural fear that develops as a way to keep puppies safe from predators. During this time puppies exhibit more “startle” reactions to sounds and sudden movements. These reactions keep a pup safe, but they also could interfere with establishing relationships with people. That’s why it best not to rush a puppy through these behavioral period. Let it get its bearings first.

Dog training for obedience involves the owner and puppy learning a series of basic commands. Among these are “sit, ” “stay, ” “down, ” “come, ” “heel, ” “drop it” and “leave it.” In most cases, these commands are taught with the use of food rewards such as dog food, tiny dog biscuits or small pieces of appropriate human food such as string cheese or baked or boiled chicken. Each of these commands is intended to teach a certain posture to the dog that the owner can use to control its behavior.

If a puppy is properly settled into a home, basic dog training, also known as obedience training, can begin in earnest around 12 weeks, or after a puppy has had all its vaccinations. By this time, a puppy that has been correctly socialized is ready to begin learning how to behave appropriately by following its owner’s instructions.

One thing that is never, never, never appropriate in dog training is to strike, hit or physically abuse a dog in any way. Dogs, especially puppies, quickly become devoted to their owners and physical abuse will destroy that relationship. Always train a dog with firmness, but with patience and lots of love.

Dogs can become more loyal, obedient, and affectionate towards their owners through vigorous puppy training. Enroll your canine companion in some dog training Kelowna today!

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Your dog relies upon you to keep him safe both inside your home and outside. Most owners realize that they should keep their canines on a leash while they’re outside in order to prevent their roaming into the street. But, their responsibility extends much further. In this article, we’ll provide five tips that you can use to ensure the safety of your pooch.

#1 – Keep Dangerous Poisons Out Of Reach

Your canine’s appetite isn’t limited to the meals you provide him during the day. Given the opportunity, he’ll eat items that are not meant to be consumed (at least, not by him). For example, he may begin eating antifreeze if it is left within his reach. He might also start eating mouse bait, pesticides, and your own medications. Each of these items can lead to significant health issues. Keep them out of his reach.

#2 – Tag Him

You may think it could never happen, but many owners have learned that their dogs are always willing to explore if they’re given the chance. One of the reasons animal shelters in many cities are overflowing is because canines get loose and roam until they’re found. Put a collar and tag on your pooch. Also, consider microchipping him. Then, once a week, check to make sure his collar and tags are secure.

#3 – Keep His Head In The Car

It is a rare dog that doesn’t love to ride in a car with his head sticking out of the window. The problem is that it invites bugs and debris into his eyes. Plus, if you’re involved in a traffic collision, your pooch can be injured. If he’s going to ride in the car with you, keep the windows up enough to prevent him hanging his head outside.

#4 – Make Him Ride In The Cab

Owners will often place their dogs in the exposed bed of their trucks. This is incredibly dangerous for a few reasons. First, the stopping and starting can throw him off balance, often into the sides of the vehicle. Second, taking a sharp turn while your pooch is elevated on the side of the vehicle can throw him from the back into traffic. If you own a truck and you’re bringing him along, keep him in the cab.

#5 – Have A Veterinarian On File

The worst time to look for a veterinarian is when your dog desperately needs one. You should have the name and contact information of a trusted vet within reach. That includes his or her office phone and an emergency number. You should also have a back-up veterinarian that you can take your canine to in the event your primary vet is unavailable.

Your dog’s safety is at risk from accidents. Whether he’s getting into rat poison, becomes lost, or is riding in the back of your truck, you don’t expect him to get into trouble. It happens unexpectedly. Take the time to make sure he’s as safe as possible.

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Puppies should be housetrained as early as possible. Over 80% of dogs in the U.S. are kept inside the home by their owners. Failing to properly teach them to control their bladders and bowels will have frustrating consequences later. Fortunately, providing a healthy does of consistent discipline, patience, and attention upfront can help ensure your pup is housebroken early. There will be accidents, so plan for them. In the same way toddlers eventually learn to use the toilet, your puppy will also learn to avoid making a mess in your home.

In this article, we’ll describe two important ground rules that you should follow when housetraining your puppy. We’ll also explain why establishing a routine is critical and how to handle the occasional accident when it happens.

Establishing The Ground Rules

Owners who are trying to housebreak their puppies often punish them when they make a mess, even if they don’t catch them in the act. Avoid doing this. If you see you pup having an accident, a stern “no!” is good enough. There’s no need for punishment; in fact, punishing him can have a negative effect.

Also, be generous with your praise. If your puppy is doing things properly, let him know. Remember, dogs need positive reinforcement from their owners. If you only reproach him when he makes a mess and neglect to recognize his successes, it will have a lasting effect.

The Value Of A Routine

The importance of a regular routine when house training your pup cannot be overstated. The repetition reinforces positive behavior. First, make sure you’re providing your pup with plenty of opportunities to go outside; once every two hours is appropriate because they cannot control their bladders for long. Second, choose a specific spot outside that he can use to eliminate, and stick to it. If he has an accident, place the rags you use to clean it up in that spot. The odor will remind him where he is supposed to eliminate.

Third, establish a routine that includes regular feeding, playing, and walking time for him. That will help him adopt a consistent elimination schedule.

Paying Attention And Dealing With Accidents

When your pup is indoors, watch him. Don’t allow him to roam freely throughout your house. That is an invitation for him to leave a hidden “surprise” for you. Instead, confine him to a certain area and pay attention to signs that he needs to eliminate. When you notice those signs, take him to his designated elimination spot and praise him for his success.

As noted, your puppy will have a few accidents. Don’t punish him. If you catch him making a mess inside, interrupt him without scaring him (avoid yelling or chasing him). Take him to his designated area so he can finish. Then, praise him for it. Too many owners are quick to punish their puppies for having an accident. The result is that a pup learns to fear his owner.

Housetraining a puppy requires patience and diligence. However, if you approach it in the right manner, your pup will not only learn to control himself, he’ll learn to trust you in the process.

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