Under non-stressful conditions, owners should teach the dog to sit and watch them in order to receive praise or a food treat. In fact, it can be dangerous if fights erupt regularly and you try to intervene. Continually pet him when he remains calm at seeing new people in the distance. Next, the stranger may stop at the end of the driveway and momentarily walk onto the dog’s property before leaving again. Whenever the dog is behaving in an aggressive manner he should be ignored or controlled. Territorial/fear aggressive dogs frequently show ambivalent body language similar to that of purely fear aggressive dogs. If the dog responds by paying attention in a relaxed and focused manner, reward him with a small food treat or praise him lavishly. But reactive dogs, including a dog that barks at guests in the home or outside, are feeling anxious. Try taking him to a location where you can just sit in the car and watch people go by. Diet. Very much so. Allow sufficient slack for the dog to leave your side and interact with other … Click & treat training may facilitate training endeavors. Consider testing the dog for medical conditions that might be contributing to increased anxiety, especially hypothyroidism. Territorial Dog Breeds . Once a dog performs a reliable “down-stay” when his owner is in the room, the owner should ask for this behavior as she moves progressively further from the dog. Can you bitten by a dog with a stranger aggression issue? Obedience Training. If you’ve already popped your dog out of the way, all you need to … Perhaps they do possess a low level of dominance and would bark anyway, but some are also insecure, anxious, or even frankly fearful. It is important to practice this exercise on a periodic basis to ensure its effectiveness when it is needed. Many dogs have problems when being around new people. Medical Rule-outs. Setting Up the Introduction Ask your visitors to call you instead of knocking on the door or … While this might look like more work than introducing dogs in your front yard, it saves tons of stress down the road. Keep in mind that your dog is not happy in this state of mind either. Domestic dogs, however, seem to regard people as conspecifics and consequently may direct territorial aggression toward human visitors. As youngsters, they may back up and bark at the sound of people approaching but, as they grow older, they find themselves more intimidating and learn that they can drive the bogeyman away. These exercises should be repeated with a variety of different people. If your dog is aggressive to visitors, don’t worry – help is at hand. Yes, fear. Initially, reward the dog every 10 seconds if he remains still, then every 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and so on. Nothing in Life is Free. In general, dogs tend to be more territorially aggressive when they are behind a fence, because a fence allows the dog to know exactly where the boundary lies, and he will patrol and protect it. In mild form, dogs bark to intimidate intruders, particularly those of the same species. Aggression in dogs, whether it be toward a dog's owner or other dogs, is a serious behavior that should be adjusted with the help of a professional dog trainer. This concept will replace the prior aversion and need to repel borders. Medical conditions and the after-effects of medical procedures can also cause an animal to exhibit aggression towards familiar people. Next, the “down-stay” should be utilized while the owner is in the room but otherwise occupied. If given treats when coming in or playing toys with them, they are more likely to be accepting of your presence and want to interact. Interdog Aggression in Dogs. Head Halter. These dogs are normally of a stronger personality. The aggressive behavior is thus reinforced. Bear in mind that the territorially aggressive dog is reacting because he wants the intruder to depart. Like human children, puppies tend to explore their environments. In a way, the only distinguishing feature between territorial fear aggression and overt fear aggression is the level of confidence that the dogs possess. When dealing with territorially aggressive dogs, it is essential that owners establish a leadership role with respect to the dog in order to safely manage the dog’s territorial tendencies. Even some of the most strong reactions in a dog that look horribly aggressive can be rooted in fear or anxiety. The amount of movement the dog will tolerate, while remaining relaxed, should be increased incrementally. By the end of the fifth day, the dog should be able to remain focused for 25-30 seconds no matter what the distraction. ©Copyright 1999 - 2021. If he appears agitated, the training has proceeded too quickly and the owner must return to an earlier stage. The efficacy of such treatments will vary from case to case but price, side effects, and other logistical concerns will determine the order in which these treatments are tried. When they are taken to the outside world, caution must be taken. He might be fearful of strangers, protective of his home, or he may just have general anxiety that comes out as reactivity when something weird happens. Next, the dog can be trained to rest on a training mat or sit while focused on the owner when a visitor approaches the door. "In this video, I am working with a German Shepherd dog called Jazz. One to two 5-minute sessions per day are usually sufficient. The next step is to countercondition the dog to people and situations that trigger aggression. Male and female dogs are equally prone to frustration-elicited aggression, and this type of aggression … But, there is a limit as to how aggressive or protective a dog should be. When they are taken to the outside world, caution must be taken. Yes, they may bark, but they may also back away and go into hiding mode once the visitors approach. Where owners have some control, they can usually reassure the dog that the person is, in fact, welcome, at which point the dog will settle down. If your dog is clearly showing any signs of aggression upon the sight of your guest, you... Offer a safe space for your dog. Introduce a mildly anxiety-inducing person at a distance. Out on the street, these same dogs may not have the courage to intimidate their adversaries, although they might wish they had. Ask the dog to “sit and watch me” or remain in a “down-stay.”. Finally, owners should consider posting a “Beware of Dog” sign as a responsible reminder that a dog is on the property. Many times an owner has been bitten trying to break up fights between her own dogs. If he doesn’t want you there, he will attempt to rid you from the area. Ensure that the dog receives regular daily exercise (20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily is a minimum). Those displays are meant to keep the intruder away. After introducing dogs, it’s time to head home. Stop dog-on-dog aggression at home. Pet owner asks: “How do I manage my dog’s aggression towards visitors in our home?” As much as we like to dress them up, give them cute clothing, paint their nails, put them in strollers, call them pet names like “fluffy” and “monkey” and wash them with all sorts of wonderful non-dog-smelling shampoos…dogs were originally wild animals and are territorial by nature. Consider setting up some dog gates around your home that will block your dog off from front-facing rooms with windows. Territorial/fear aggressive dogs have a lower level of confidence that permits the expression of fear aggression only on the home territory or from within the safety of the owner’s vehicle. If these exercises are performed frequently enough, and with an assortment of strangers, starting with the least threatening and working up to the most threatening, the dog will learn that their presence is associated with positive experiences. At this stage, whenever owners sense that their dog is about to engage in the unwanted behavior, they can use this counterconditioning technique to interrupt the behavior before it escalates. Dog on dog aggression in the home can feel overwhelming. For desensitization, the owner should start by exposing the dog to people that he is least likely to be aggressive towards and train the dog in a location where he is most comfortable. Unlike humans, dogs have little sense of equality and will always aspire toward the highest possible rank within their social group. Every time the dog breaks the stay, a verbal correction should be given to indicate that there will be no reward, and the dog is escorted back to the mat. The approach we advocate is the “Nothing in Life is Free” leadership program. A dog that has bitten a stranger coming onto the property should not be allowed to roam unsupervised while there is the faintest chance of a stranger entering his zone. Except during training sessions, avoid exposing the dog to situations and people that may trigger the aggressive behavior. Aggression to other dogs That means that the dog is territorial by nature (so more leery of strangers anyways), but then has a heightened worry about strangers. This requires the dog to work for anything he needs or desires (food, toys, attention, access to the outdoors etc.). That’s because you need to be aware of the dog. Some dogs simply hide behind their owner’s legs, watching as if transfixed by the visitor. I deal with a lot of red zone dog behavior cases, and I often hear … This can cause the unwanted behavior to increase in frequency and intensity. There are behavior modification steps that have shown to be of great assistance in cases of dog aggression. The distance and time the owner is away from the dog should be increased until he can remain in a down-stay for 20-30 minutes in the owner’s absence. In fact, many cases of stranger aggression at home also involve an element of territorial aggression. Only, that, when visitors come into the home, these dogs take a more passive role. Needless to say, appropriate behavior modification therapy should be conducted simultaneously to take advantage of this therapeutic window. They will use their... Limit guests for some time. If it is a bane, the owner can do something about it using the approaches described above, and can frequently make inroads into containing the problem. More often than not, these dogs are afraid, but people rarely call to say that they have a fearful dog. The approach to controlling fear-based territorial aggression is more problematic. Not only will you have to work on making him feel better about being around new people, he will also require a high level of obedience control. This behavior is often considered normal, but some dogs can become excessively aggressive due to learning and genetic factors. If someone approaches too closely, and the dog becomes aggressive, the assistant should stand still until the owner can get the dog’s attention, preferably using an obedience command, like “cut” [it out], and rewarding the dog for its compliance. Depending on the specifics of your problem, here are some effective solutions that will transform a grumpy pooch into a calm pup. Employ a Gentle Leader® head halter to exert the optimal control of the dog in aggression-inducing situations. The bites of territorial fear aggressive dogs are usually directed towards the “nether regions” of the offender (e.g. All exercises should be performed on lead, preferably with a head halter, and basket muzzle, if necessary. Controlling dogs within the home can be difficult, especially when you own an aggressive dog. The dog should initiate all interactions with visitors in the home. Dominant dogs often push forward to inspect or bite or nip the visitor; fear driven dogs can react with a facade of ferocity while inside they’re trembling. In effect he must “earn” all valued resources by first obeying a command, such as SIT or DOWN. For example, a young puppy of 5 months old might growl as fiercely as he can muster when a guest enters the home, but after a few moments if the person were to move slightly his way, he would likely step a few paces back or retreat entirely. The objective is to have the dog follow the owner’s directives as and when issued. Some dogs are more likely to display territorial behaviors because of the selection process early breeders embraced. Owners should keep doors secured to ensure that no one enters the property without warning. Clomipramine (Clomicalm®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), buspirone (BuSpar®) are all reasonable treatment options. Once trained to the muzzle, the territorially aggressive dog can be required to wear the muzzle in any particularly challenging situation. Similar to other types of dog aggression, stranger aggression is often rooted in some level of fear. Consult with a professional who can give you an honest assessment of your dog’s prognosis and the amount of time that will be required to work with him so that you can make a decision as to how best to proceed. Although alarm barking can sometimes be aggravating for dog owners, neighbors, and visitors, lunging and biting are far more serious problems. Walk the dogs side-by-side. In most cases, once a stranger has been welcomed inside the home, the dominant-territorial dog will relax and enjoy the visitor’s company. Gradually you can move to sitting with the door open and even progress to a bench outside. Uniformed visitors, like the mail carriers, are prime targets for this learned type of aggression. Trouble when visitors arrive is a common concern of many guardians. For these dogs, all off-lead exercise should be conducted in safe places, with constant supervision by an informed owner who has realistic expectations of the dog’s behavior. Borderline-low levels of the principal thyroid hormone may be associated with increased anxiety, and thus aggression. When that same dog is an adult, he is better equipped to stand his ground and may or may not move away. Dogs display this behavior due to fear and/or anxiety, and need behavioral intervention to overcome it. When initially working on training with a dog with stranger aggression, you have to keep his world safe (for others’ safety). If the dog does not respond aggressively, visitors can be asked to try taking a few steps before returning to their seat. Perform this relaxation exercise daily for 5 days. The bite is usually of a hit-and-run nature – a cheap shot. The body language includes: approach-avoidance behavior, tucked or semi-tucked tail, slinking gait and an indirect approach. Some dogs are only a problem when people come into their perceived territory and so be especially careful at doorways, gates and even the doors to the car. First say, “watch me,” and move a finger toward your face. When your dog regularly growls, snaps, or bites, you have a serious behavior problem on your hands. Counterconditioning interrupts unwanted behavior by training the dog to respond to a command or activity that is incompatible with continued performance of the aggressive behavior. Aggression is one of the top reasons dog owners seek the help of a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist.And it's not just larger dogs and so-called "dangerous breeds" that are prone to aggression; any breed is capable of becoming aggressive under the right … If the dog prefers, visitors can present the dog with a tennis ball or other preferred toy. Then the dog should be required to remain in position as the owner exits the room, but remains nearby. Dogs that aggressively protect “their” territory are often dogs that were not socialized as puppies 1 and have a fear of novel things, people and animals. Especially if you have a small, cute dog, people will still want to interact with you or the dog. Neither punishment nor reassurance are appropriate actions. Head halters send a biological signal of the owner’s leadership by exerting gentle pressure around the muzzle (“maternal point”) and at the nape of the neck (“leader point”). Territorial aggression that has advanced to the point of lunging, snarling, and biting is more difficult to treat and positive results, though eminently possible, are not guaranteed. This will intensify how the dog feels. Inter-dog aggression occurs much more frequently in non-neutered male dogs. Some dogs with very severe behavior may need to go to a comfortable place in the home away from visitors where they can rest and not be anxious when visitors come. We find these muzzles to be effective and more humane than standard muzzles. While great progress can be made with behavior modification, there are some dogs that are difficult to alter for a variety of reasons (particularly if there is a genetic component or the dog is very unpredictable). For … These dogs are likely to growl at people passing by and even attempt to lunge or nip at someone that walks near by. Key to the entire program is desensitization to approaching strangers along with counterconditioning to alter the dog’s associations and behavior during progressive, planned exposure to visitors. If the dog chooses to approach a guest, have the person quietly offer their hand for the dog to sniff and they may offer a treat if the dog is not too “grabby.” If the dog indicates that he would like to be petted, the guest may do so briefly, but again they should avoid reaching up and over the dog’s head and they should avoid prolonged eye contact. Situation #1: My dog is aggressive toward … When dogs display aggression to strangers only on the home property, and do not respond aggressively to strangers on neutral territory, territorial aggression is the likely diagnosis. Counterconditioning. Dogs with the confidence to bite strangers present a danger to any visitors to the home and a liability for the dog’s owners. Additionally, dogs with stranger aggression require more management and training. Dogs that are overly dominant, both in absolute terms and with respect to their human family members, may provide a serious obstacle for any visitors to the home territory. If your dog is aggressive to visitors to the home, make sure you secure your dog in the garden or in a secure room before you open the door or greet guests. Engage the dog in regular daily obedience training sessions to sharpen his response to one-word voice commands and increase owner leadership. Avoid Punishment and Reassurance. This will ensure that your resident dog isn’t thrown off by an unexpected visitor charging into her space. Punishment has the potential to increase the dog’s anxiety and worsen the situation. The barking is also intended to alert other pack members who can join in defense of the pack’s territory. Typically, these treatments are applied for at least four to six months, and possibly for as long as a year or two. Dogs will normally demonstrate signs of aggression between the ages of 12 and 36 months, and is seen more in male than female dogs. This will cause the dog to defer to his owners’ authority so that he can be introduced to people under pleasant circumstances and be rewarded for remaining calm. By definition, territorial aggression should be expressed toward members of the same species. Electronic fences pose a particular problem for dogs with territorial aggression. A non-confrontational approach to leadership is the best way to accomplish this important task. So, solving aggression is best done in incremental steps that are successfully achieved 'before' your dog is aggressive. So let this article explain a bit about why the aggression is happening, what you can do about it, and what to get your visitors to do. We use a routine we have named the circle of rewards and another called the leave routine. At this point, the stranger should be asked to toss one of the dog’s favorite food treats toward him. Last Resorts for Aggressive Dog Training. Territorial aggression, when confined to barking at the sound of approaching strangers can be a bane or a blessing, depending on the circumstances and the owner’s control of the situation. Treats should be supplied if the dog remains calm. Once the dog understands the concept of the long “down-stay,” the owner can switch to supplying rewards intermittently. Commands like Leave It, Watch Me, Come, Sit, Down, and Stay are all essential commands that can help you in any situation that arises. Avoid Confrontations. In cases like this, consulting with a dog behavior expert is an excellent idea. During the early stages of training, assistants should be advised not to make direct eye contact with the dog and not to approach the dog head on. Once the dog has learned the basic obedience commands, he can be trained to perform long down-stays while the owner moves progressively further away. Dog aggression and behavior expert with 30 years of experience. Bear in mind that dogs with fear-related aggressive behavior have a tendency to snap at people when they move away, for example, when they are preparing to leave. The Dangers of Using Punishment with Aggressive Dogs, Sending your Aggressive Dog to a Boarding Facility. There are two primary motivations for territorial behavior, dominance or fear/anxiety. There are several factors that distinguish fear-related territorial aggression from dominance-driven aggression: Although dominance-based territorial aggression is easier to manage than fear-based territorial aggression, both forms of territorial aggression can be addressed reasonably well by means of management measures, proper control, and containment. Don’t be afraid to keep people at bay! Dog aggression between dogs living in the same home is an interesting topic for a number of reasons. There is some evidence that dogs involved in aggressive situations with the dogs they live with do have a tendency to show aggression in other situations. Considering that your dog is aggressive to visitors, the best process is:-Teach your dog a reward-based leadership routine. Leash the dog. If the dog can be distracted by food rewards or games, counterconditioning on its own may circumvent the brunt of the problems. It’s a stressful and difficult situation in which no one is happy – you, your dog, or your visitors! These dogs are likely to growl at people passing by and even attempt to lunge or nip at someone that walks near by. If the dog cannot maintain the required posture and affect, and remains tense, barking and lunging at the stranger, the owner needs to return to an earlier phase of training. Ideally, during the training process, no one should come close enough to the dog to trigger an aggressive response. In fearful dogs who hide, similar dynamics take place. The dog knows where his territorial boundaries are – but visitors do not, and they may unwittingly cross the line. Owners can start by having the guest slowly stand up and then sit down. anticipates the owner), the owner should issue an alternative command, before giving the dog the desired resource. They call to tell me that their dogs are aggressive towards visitors by barking and lunging, For example, it may be possible to cue the dog to lie down in a relaxed posture, or sit and watch his owner, while a stranger walks by the end of the drive, rewarding the dog with a food treat for remaining relaxed, calm, and in position. The head halter gently, but firmly, establishes owners’ leadership and control of their dog, as well as providing for visitors’ safety. This is most commonly seen within the dog’s own home, but it can occur in new locations as well. If the intruder is not intimidated, warnings may escalate to include hostile posturing and lunging. While stranger aggression is most common at home, this is partly because dogs with this issue have less access to the outside world due to their behavior. Once the dog remains relaxed when people are quietly sitting in the home, he can be taught to accept them moving about. If the dog learns to respect his owners in this way, he will be more likely to turn to them for direction when he’s feeling challenged or fearful and will be more likely to heed directions. Unfortunately, a take charge personality is not always a good thing in these situations as these dogs are more likely to bite. No stranger should reach toward the dog at this stage. Basket Muzzle. Once the dog calmly accepts the stranger’s approach, the visitor can knock, and eventually enter the home as long as the dog remains quiet and relaxed. If a dog is allowed to threaten, and the subject then retreats, the dog is rewarded for showing aggression. “The territory” generally includes the house and yard, plus abutting areas (e.g. If owners are consistent with this approach, the dog will learn that he must look to them to obtain anything he needs or wants, such as food, freedom, play, and social interaction. By this it simply means that the dog is of a personality structure that is more decisive by nature and takes charge in a situation. The goal is to teach the dog to associate visitors’ presence with pleasant experiences. Treats and playing with these dogs can improve the stranger’s likeability over time, but the dog takes a long time to warm up to the person, if it ever does. I get calls every week because people want help with dogs who react badly to anyone who comes to the house. Breed and Dog Aggression. Exercise. sidewalks) that the dog patrols, and family vehicles in which he rides. The owner can then ask the person to quietly retreat to a distance at which it was previously comfortable and resume training (as long as the dog is not too aroused). First, train a “down-stay” on a mat or dog bed. If it is a planned visit, you can calmly pop your dog in a room out of the way 5 minutes... On arrival. At this early stage of the treatment program, if the owner has the dog in the room with guests, the dog should be removed before the guests prepare to leave. All Rights Reserved. For dogs that are aggressive when people enter the house, it is best to isolate the dog at first and then, once everyone is seated, the dog can be brought into the room on a lead and head halter, if he remains relaxed. There are several factors that distinguish fear-related territorial aggression from dominance-driven aggression: Territorial/fear aggressive dogs frequently show ambivalent body language similar to that of purely fear aggressive dogs. As I mentioned above, genetics can play a large role in aggressive behavior. Reassurance will affirm the dog’s fear. Why is it Important to Hire a Professional to Work with your Aggressive Dog? And if this is ineffective in deterring the visitor, an attack may ensue. This technique is most effective when owners can identify and predict the situations that trigger the dog’s territorial response. Inter-dog aggression occurs when a dog is overly aggressive towards dogs in the same household or unfamiliar dogs. These dog may hide under a bed or behind the owner. That means you might start initial training by playing the people watching game. Rather, they should be asked to avert their gaze and advance slowly in a circuitous path (as this is less threatening to most dogs). These dogs often stand their ground with barking and growling, but if pushed on it, will often move back. For difficult cases, it may be helpful to treat territorially aggressive dogs with anti-anxiety, anti-aggressive medication. Most dogs that are simply territorial by nature can be easier to approach. If you adopted an adult dog with behavioral issues, or missed the symptoms of aggression in your pet’s puppyhood, there are still ways to stop aggression even when it becomes a serious problem.. What to do if your dog shows aggression towards visitors Prior to your visitor arriving. toward the person’s buttocks, thighs, or calves) … or they may simply nip, ripping clothing. For indoor sessions, owners can also train the dog to perform a 20-minute “down-stay” on a specific bed or mat that is used only for training. While stranger aggression is most common at home, this is partly because dogs with this issue have less access to the outside world due to their behavior. Assistants and visitors should be asked to engage in a variety of different activities so the dog learns that they are not threatening. Jazz constantly protects the house and garden by barking and lunging at visitors. The mail carrier comes, the dog barks, the mail carrier leaves, and the dog takes credit. A basket muzzle allows the dog to pant, drink and accept small treats, but prevents biting. This is particularly true when the intruder is on the home turf of the dog. Most medications take several weeks to achieve their peak effects. These dogs can often learn to like one person, but then the whole process starts over again with a second person and so forth. After doing this several times, eventually the stranger should be able to stand a few feet from the dog while it remains calm and under control. 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