Dogs love their families more than anything in the world, which most times make them one of the best pets to own. However, this can become a problem when your dog becomes overly protective. Dealing with an overly protective dog can be a daunting task. It’s important to understand why your dog is behaving this way and take the necessary steps to change the behavior. This article will give you some different ways to deal with an overly protective dog to help you deal with this issue!
Contents
Assert Yourself As The Leader
An overly protective dog may be viewing themselves as the pack leader. Dogs viewing themselves as the ones in charge is one of the main causes of this negative behavior. You have to show your dog that you are the leader to change this. This means being confident and calm at all times, knowing exactly what you want from your dog, and making sure your requests are clear and concise. The more confidence you show as the leader, the more your dog will follow your lead.
Never Punish Your Dog For Being Protective
Most dogs will become extremely aggressive toward anyone who tries to come near their pack, especially if they think it’s a threat. Punishing your dog after the fact is not going to do anything in most cases. This will only lead to a more confused and possibly aggressive dog that doesn’t know what you want from them. It’s important to use positive ways to correct this behavior rather than negative ones. One of the worst things that can happen is that the punishment causes your dog to fear you, leading to more behavioral problems later on.
Make Sure Your Dog Gets Plenty Of Exercise
Dogs are natural-born hunters, so it’s important to keep this in mind when dealing with an overly protective dog. Exercise can help your dog get out some energy, so it stays calmer and more relaxed. Without release for pent-up energy, your pup might act aggressively towards others to get rid of their frustration.
Make Sure Your Dog Has Plenty Of Mental Stimulation
Your dog needs to constantly learn new things if you want to keep their attention away from negative behavior. If your pup is always getting new information, it’s less likely that they will act out inappropriately or aggressively when challenged by an intruder. For this reason, it’s essential to make sure your dog has plenty of toys that challenge them. This way, they don’t focus their aggression on people and learn to be more accepting.
Have Your Dog Practice Being Around People
If your dog looks like it’s on edge or acts aggressively when someone new is around, you should train them to get used to the presence of people. You can do this by slowly introducing your dog to new people under safe circumstances in areas where they normally feel comfortable. If you can teach your dog that new people come with treats and fun toys, then it will be able to adapt much more quickly than if forced into a situation without warning.
Get Professional Training
If your dog is constantly acting out in defense of its territory, you might want to consider taking it to a professional for training. Many trainers are capable of working with dogs with this behavior problem, and they will be able to teach your pup techniques that can help them adjust more quickly when strangers are around. This can make life much easier for your dog and yourself. Additionally, trainers will be able to solve other issues that might be happening with your dog, along with the overly protective behavior.
Conclusion
If you have an overly protective dog, it’s important to note that just scolding them is not the answer. Instead, it would be best if you looked for ways to reinforce good behavior and help your pup relax. If you establish rules and boundaries early on with your pup, then they will be less likely to act out inappropriately as they get older. With the tips in this article, you should be able to find a solution to your dog’s overly protective behavior.
