home Folk remedies A dog that lunges at its owner. The dog growls at the owner: reasons, facts, statistics The dog sometimes growls very kind and bothers

A dog that lunges at its owner. The dog growls at the owner: reasons, facts, statistics The dog sometimes growls very kind and bothers

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If the dog growls...

There is a saying - if a dog growls on Monday, then by Friday it will bite you. This actually means that if a dog growls, it can grab you and then bite you. A growling dog is warning you that it doesn't like what you're doing, and if you continue to do it, it intends to bite you.

If your dog growls, you need to stop him before he bites. To put an end to this, you need to apply severe correction to the dog, i.e. tug on the leash, then let go every time she growls, and start working with her. A dog should never be allowed to growl, and strict correction should always be given to it. Growling dogs should never be hit.

Your dog may growl at other dogs, at other animals, at strangers, at your family members, or at you. Growling is a dog's way of warning you or expressing anxiety, fear or aggression. Dogs that never growl may exhibit this behavior if you touch them and cause them pain. For example, there may be ulcers in the dog's ear, pus, or a tick bite, so if you touch a painful area of the dog's body, it will growl in self-defense. In such situations, the growling will stop when you eliminate the cause - cure the dog. It may be that a dog whose nails were trimmed at the hairdresser will suddenly growl when you stroke its paw. Maybe the hairdresser was in a hurry and caused pain to the dog, injured the skin, cut or burned the paw? Maybe he behaved somehow unusually, which caused such a reaction? Determine why your dog is growling and work slowly and deliberately with him to regain his trust. Such cases should not be repeated, otherwise the dog will be very wary and will try to protect the place where it hurts, and the consequences can be terrible, both for it and for unsuspecting people who do not understand the reasons for this unexpected and unexplained behavior.

Petting an older dog's face may also cause him to growl because his teeth or eyes may hurt. Her gums may be sore, or there may be gumboil or food stuck between her teeth that may be causing her discomfort. The eyes may suffer from cataracts, glaucoma, allergic irritations, or other ailments.

It is not always necessary to apply correction when growling. Each time you should figure out what is causing the dog’s behavior and eliminate the source of anxiety or apply disciplinary measures, but you should avoid unfair and ill-treatment with a dog.

A growling dog may feel that he is in some kind of danger, and he believes that he needs to take control of the situation. We need to gain the dog's trust and respect. It is best to approach this problem not in the abstract, but to consider it as part of the overall picture of a normal relationship with your pet. If the dog continues to growl even though you have used various ways, be sure to contact a professional.

An ineffective technique or the wrong approach can only make the problem worse. If you apply a correction that is too weak or, conversely, too harsh, the effect can be exactly the opposite. A dog will always be able to tell us through the language of body movements how to caress it. But we must understand this language correctly. If we understand this, then there will be no problems.

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If your dog growls at you when feeding.

Guarding food or toys from other animals is a normal behavior in dogs. This instinct occurs when a dog feels its food or toys are being threatened by other pets. In a wild pack, dogs guard their food so they can eat it later and survive. Dogs higher in the hierarchy have the right to take food from those members of the pack who are lower than them. Life with a dog is safer if it does not guard its food.

Most trainers argue that the owner should train his dog to give up food without interference, and punish him if he does not. Very often this only leads to the fact that the dog begins to guard food even more tightly. Nowadays there is a wonderful alternative that works great - just let the dog know that the owner always gives food and does not take it away.

When you adopt a dog (of any age), you hope that he does not have a strong tendency to guard food. If this tendency suddenly appears in your dog, you should use the following tips:

1. Whenever you feed your dog, keep him away from other animals (including cats) so that he doesn't have to worry about keeping his food safe. Create confidence in your dog that no one will disturb his peace during the meal, and you will provide him with reliable protection from any encroachment. The above applies to both adult animals and very young ones. Feed your dog regularly at the same time and do not leave a bowl of uneaten food.

2. Walk past your dog several times during his meal to see his reaction. Any tension in a dog's body is a cause for concern. If you notice this, make sure you do everything necessary to safe reception your animal's food. Keep children away from your dog while eating. You must convince the dog that food is guaranteed and there is no need to protect it!

3. Walk past your dog during his lunch and drop something tastier and smellier than his into his bowl. regular food. Do this many times. The idea is for the dog to understand that every time a person approaches his bowl, something good happens.

4. After this, touch your dog gently while he eats. At this time, add treats to the bowl. If the dog takes it well, wait a second between touching and giving the treat, then two, three, four and finally five seconds.

5. Involve your children in raising the dog: let them walk nearby and add treats to the bowl (but this can only be done after you are sure that the dog will not show aggression). It is extremely important that the dog is tolerant of children, so this should not be rushed.
For the safety of children, teach them not to disturb the dog while it is eating, unless the children are involved in raising the animal under your supervision. Children cannot assess a potential threat and, of course, do not understand that a dog is mainly guided by instincts. The dog will instinctively respond to what seems like harmless fun to the child by teasing the animal near his food bowl. There are situations when a dog cannot understand that this is just a game, reacting aggressively to it.

6. Feed your dog in different places in the house, outside the house and on picnics. The idea is to prevent the dog from thinking of one place as some kind of food sanctuary, because sometimes the dog will begin to guard the very place where his bowl is located.

7. Do everything described above for dog toys. Have the adult take the toy from the dog, look at it, give the dog a treat, and then return the toy. Eventually involve children, but only under strict adult supervision. Teach children not to pick up toys at other times. If a dog shows a strong tendency to guard a toy that is special to him, that toy should be removed. It is better for the dog to lose the enjoyment of this toy than to lose the dog itself if it becomes too dangerous.

8. Never chase a dog that has stolen an item. This triggers the same instinct as guarding food and teaches the dog to run away from you! Teach better than a dog bring you things to get a reward for it.

9. You should pay attention to how your family members behave towards the dog while sitting at the dinner table. If they feed the dog regularly, they not only teach it to beg, but also help develop the food guarding instinct. Some dogs even develop the belief that all the food should belong to them! Keep an eye on guests and do not allow them to feed the animal.

10. Teach your dog the "sit" and "down" commands, and give them these commands from time to time, especially "down" when you place a bowl of food in front of him.

If your dog already has a problem with food guarding, you should continue to work with him on the exercises described above. At first it will be quite dangerous for you to approach her food bowl. Therefore, you will need the help of an experienced trainer who would be present at the classes and correct both your actions and the actions of your dog.

If your dog is food guarding, remove his food bowl between meals, as leaving the bowl behind gives your dog a reason to guard it, and if it is removed, the instinct weakens or disappears altogether.

If the problem is mild, place the empty bowl on the floor while eating. Walk past her several times at a distance of a meter or two, holding the dog food with you. Give your dog food in small portions. If your dog reacts to a hand moving towards the bowl, enlist the help of a trainer. It's best to use something fairly long to pour the food into the bowl so you don't have to risk using your own hand.

When the dog realizes that his bowl is empty, go to the bowl, pour some food into it and immediately move away. When the dog eats this part of the food, approach again, pour in the next portion and move back another meter or two from the bowl.

Your task is to teach the dog to adequately perceive a person approaching the bowl and extending his hand to it. It is necessary to create a positive image of a person in order for the dog to begin to trust him. Good way finishing the meal is to give the dog a particularly tasty treat at the end. This will let your dog know that when his bowl is picked up from the floor, he will be given something very tasty, and it also tells him that the food is finished.

If your dog feels irritated when a person approaches the bowl, or an exercise doesn't work out, you should go back a step or even a few steps. In this case, use the following tips:

1. If your dog tends to guard his bowl directly, you can exclude this bowl from the exercises and try giving him food simply from your hand. Once your dog is used to eating from your hands, place the bowl nearby and gradually move your hand with the food closer to the bowl.
First, hold the bowl in your other hand, gradually moving it to the floor. Finally, place the bowl on the floor and practice portion feeding from the bowl while walking a few steps away from the bowl.
Perform the exercise slowly; it will take quite a bit to retrain your dog. long time, you should not rush, otherwise you can ruin everything.

2. You can hold the bowl in your hand instead of placing it on the floor and encourage the dog to come to you for food. Gradually you move the bowl closer to the floor and then place it on the floor. In this case, you should teach the dog to remain in place on command while you approach with a bowl of food. Try to avoid such situations so that the dog, when freed from the command, becomes too excited.
Always release your dog from this command very calmly. You should also act calmly when releasing your dog from a crate or other confinement area. Overstimulating a dog can be dangerous.

3. To increase safety at an early stage of training, you can place the bowl on a raised surface so as not to bend towards the floor or put your face under dog teeth. If a child is involved in raising the dog, then the raised bowl becomes closer to his face, and this is not very safe. The child should not be included in the activities until the dog can relate adequately to adults.

4. On early stages training, you can tie your dog before giving him a bowl of food, so that he cannot reach you with his claws or teeth. If necessary, ask your trainer for help.

5. For additional safety, you can use a muzzle that would allow the dog to eat, but would not give it the opportunity to bite you. If you want to try using a muzzle, enlist the help of a trainer to securely place the muzzle on the dog's face so that he does not remove it at the most inopportune moment.
Remember that a dog wearing a muzzle quickly develops conditioned reflex behave calmly, but when the muzzle is removed, it is also quickly lost. Don't try to rush things. If a dog has serious problems guarding food, the retraining process will take a long time. Only in this case will the dog become safe for people.

6. Never punish a dog for its aggression. No matter how seriously your dog guards his food, your aggression towards him will only make the problem worse!
If a dog has already developed protective instincts in relation to its food, they cannot be completely removed, but it is possible to make their expression safer.
Once your dog begins to show a calm attitude towards people approaching his bowl, continue the above exercises whenever something changes in your family: you have guests, you have adopted another pet, or you have joined the family. new member. Periodically go to your dog's bowl and throw something tasty into it. Reinforce in the dog's mind that every time a person approaches his bowl, there is a high probability of receiving a reward.

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WHO IS THE MAIN MAN IN THE FAMILY?

This is a question that every dog owner needs to answer, no matter what breed it is. Why?
Remember the postulate about the hierarchical structure of the pack. The thing is that if we allow a dog to occupy a high hierarchical status position in the family, it will not only stop obeying the demands of the household (after all, only a leader or a dominant member of the pack can control behavior), but it will also begin to correct the behavior of family members (control behavior others - one of the main signs, rights and responsibilities of a leader and dominant).
Let's simulate the situation. Let's take it as a condition that your dog ranks second in the hierarchical structure of your family after you. While you are at home, you control the behavior of the pack family, and the dog lies aside and snores peacefully. You leave, and he is obliged (as his genes tell him and his status demands) to take control of the pack. Now what? Let's say your mother decides to move him, who is lying on the sofa, to sit down. The dog growled dully - from his point of view, the subdominant was behaving incorrectly. Of course, the mother will not take this seriously and will continue to push the dog, and the dog, without moving from its place, will show its fangs - if the subdominant does not understand a slight hint, you need to make it strong. “Oh, so!” the woman finally gets angry and lightly spanks the dog. And the dog hits the presumptuous subdominant with its fangs. From a dog’s point of view, everything is correct - if they don’t understand the hints, you need to move on to action. This is exactly how dominant dogs behave in a normal dog pack.
If a dog growls at family members or bites them, this does not mean that it has a disturbed psyche or a nasty character. No, she's just either the leader or the dominant member of the pack. In another, non-conflict, from her point of view, situation, she can be sweet, affectionate and loving dog.
So, if you do not want to have conflicts with a dog in the family, you must determine its hierarchical status and teach correct behavior with family members.
Your dog is dominant if he:
- sleeps in bed with the owner or in his bedroom;
- does not allow the husband (wife or other family members) to enter the bedroom upon returning from work or after long absence;
- growls at you and household members when eating, gnawing on a bone or toy;
- does not allow her to take toys from her, while growling and trying to bite;
- goes out the door first, leads you along for a walk;
- makes you caress her or play with her when you are busy;
- growls when playing or stroking;
- eats in the kitchen and begs from the table;
- does not obey or does not obey commands well (provided that you have trained her);
- independent during walks;
- resists, growls, or even bites when you wash it, wipe its paws, comb it, trim it or perform veterinary procedures;
- growls when she is kicked off the sofa or chair;
- plays roughly (with biting) with your household and behaves unceremoniously with them;
- aggressive towards certain relatives or friends;
- behaves aggressively towards other animals, such as cats or livestock.
Even one or more of the signs listed above that are characteristic of your dog should alert you. To avoid problems in the future, it is necessary to take timely measures to correct her unwanted behavior.
According to American trainer Vicki Rodenberg, many dogs living in a family easily adapt to a subordinate role and do not resist it or protest. But there are also those who cannot adapt to the role of a subdominant. Among them there are born leaders, and they always resist human influences. There are also “careerist” dogs. Such people are always looking for ways and try to take a place as close as possible to the top of the hierarchical ladder. Natural leaders and careerists can become “problem” dogs for people who are unaware of the dogs’ need for a hierarchical structure. Often people themselves unconsciously encourage dogs to take the place of leader in the family. They treat dogs as social equals, not subdominant partners, and give them privileges that only leaders have, such as sleeping in the bed or on the couch, and allowing them to disobey commands.
The tendency to lead is not related to the size of the dog. Even a tiny Chihuahua can turn into a tyrant. More often than not, it is small dogs that make leaders, since people, considering them to be puppies (a small dog is always a puppy!) please them in everything.
According to animal psychologists, leading dogs are not only more self-confident, but also more intelligent than dogs occupying the middle and lower levels of the hierarchical ladder. They can behave well with children and strangers. Everything will be fine until someone forces them to do something they don't want to do. That's when this wonderful dog starts growling and biting. By the way, from the outside it may seem that she is doing this without visible reasons. But there is a reason, and it is simple - no one dares to control the leader’s behavior.
In a real pack, not every conflict situation ends in a fight. To put the subdominant in his place, a specific pose, a sidelong glance or a growl is enough. If suddenly there is a stupid dog that wants to chew on the leader's favorite bone or take his sleeping place, the leader will quickly remind him who he is with a harsh with a gaze or growl. If the dog is so stupid that he does not pay attention to these signs of dissatisfaction, the leader proves him wrong by using his teeth. This behavior is natural for dogs and is instinctive. However, it is unacceptable in a human pack-family.
Dogs have an innate need for hierarchical structure. They need security and self-confidence, which ensures they know their place in the pack. Most dogs do not strive to be pack leaders, but it is important for them to have a leader in the pack. A leader is a guarantor of order, clarity and simplicity. And if a person does not become a leader, a dog will take this post. This is what her genes dictate to her. If you allowed the dog to become a leader, then you can only hope for its mercy. And it’s up to the leader to be a good king or an evil despot!
If your dog is not a leader over you (the owner), but is dominant over one or more members of your family, this is also not a good thing. The dog's place is at the base of the hierarchical ladder of the human family. To return her to her rightful place, to prove to her that she is just a dog, it is necessary to conduct special classes with her.
How to become a pack leader?
Your dog constantly watches you, reads and understands the language of your facial expressions, gestures and intonations. If you don't behave like a dog, she will quickly realize that you are not suitable for the role of leader and will stop obeying you. So learn to behave and act like a leader towards your dog.
Be friendly, but show her your intellectual superiority, demandingness and authority. The dog will sense changes in the relationship almost immediately.
Observe how they behave professional trainers. To achieve obedience from the dog, they stand up straight, treat the dog gently but persistently, lovingly but firmly. Most dogs obey them immediately because they see them as leaders.
Try to act like a leader in front of the mirror. Stand straight with your shoulders back. Walk around the house maintaining this posture. Practice giving commands with a new intonation - confidently and slightly lowering your voice. Don't ask your dog to do something - order it. You have the right to set your own rules. And your dog instinctively understands this too.
For most dogs, this simple change in your behavior and some obedience training will be enough.
However, with a dog that has already become a leader - growling at you or biting - you will have to tinker. Born leaders and social climbers themselves will never give up their “throne”.
They will perceive sudden changes in your behavior with displeasure, as real threat their position, and may behave more aggressively. A leader dog will instinctively fight against a coup.
The leader dog already knows that it can defeat you with the help of, for example, sharp teeth, so pressure on your part will only cause it to increase its aggressiveness. Until you become a leader, attempts to change the dog's behavior by shaking, pushing, hitting, or jerking will be ineffective and may even be dangerous for you. The leader dog will respond to your violence with violence too!
Man is much more intelligent than animals, so use your intelligence! You are also more persistent than your dog. Therefore, first, try a fairly effective and pain-free method of changing the hierarchical status of your dog. But at the same time, all members of your family must change their attitude towards the dog.
You have serious work ahead of you. A dog who has already bitten or threatened people is dangerous no matter how much you love him.
Kindergarten for the leader of the pack.
So, you decided to prove to your dog that he is a dog and not small man in a fur coat made of natural fur. The dog's mother once taught him how to be a dog and how to obey a leader. But as a result of improper upbringing, these lessons were forgotten. You must remind him of them.
A leader dog doesn't ask you when he needs something, he demands it. She tells you that she wants to eat, that she wants to go out for a walk or play and be spoiled, and that she wants it right now. And you must explain to her that from now on she must earn everything she wants. Of course, this will be a blow to the dog’s pride, but he will quickly understand what needs to be done. For example, if your dog doesn't know the "Sit" command, teach it. And only after she follows the command, praise her and give her a tasty morsel. But don't overdo it with praise.
Now, every time the dog wants something (to eat, to go for a ride in the car, to walk, to play, to attract your attention), give him the command “Sit!” in a commanding tone. If the dog obeys, praise him a little and after a short pause give him what he wants - this will be positive reinforcement. It happens that the dog refuses to sit. In this case, move away from her and stop paying attention to her. Remember, disobedience should not lead to positive impact like a dog - it satisfies desires only when it obeys. If you think your dog is not complying because he doesn't understand the command, practice a little more. Feel the difference between when he doesn't know or can't do something and when he simply ignores you, is stubborn or disobeys out of “pride.”
Make your dog sit before you put his food bowl in front of him, or in front of the door before you go for a walk, or in front of you before you play with him or give him a toy. If you leave your dog food in his bowl when you leave home, stop doing it. Switch to feeding her twice a day and decide for yourself when to feed her. Before lunch starts, make her sit, and if she doesn't obey the command, then no lunch. Just move away and ignore her. Bring the bowl later and again give the command “Sit!” in a low, firm voice.
If the dog treats some family members with respect and ignores others, let those others begin to feed the dog and do everything that was described. Teach them how to behave around the dog and help them if needed. It is important that all members of your family behave in the same dominant manner towards the dog. It is advisable that she be at the bottom rung of your family’s hierarchical ladder - this will eliminate aggressive conflict situations.
By knowing your dog, you can predict its behavior. different situations. At the beginning of educational “therapy”, avoid conflicts and take appropriate action if the dog behaves like a leader. For example, if she gets into the trash can and growls at you when you scold her for it, place the bin out of her reach. If she likes to go out the door ahead of you, put her on a leash, sit her in front of the door, after a short pause, open the door and only on command allow her to go out. If your dog does not come to you on command, do not allow him to walk without a leash, otherwise you will not be able to control his behavior.
Affection and attention.
Leaders want to be liked. In a real pack, subordinate dogs (subdominants) always touch, lick and otherwise groom the leader. This is how they emphasize their attitude towards him and their subordination. If you are retraining your dog and his behavior has not yet improved, reduce the amount of affection and attention. When she demands attention, make her sit (or lie down) and only then give her a little praise. Then go back to your business and ignore her. If your dog pesters you, tell him, “No!” - and ignore her for a while longer. Pay attention to the dog, caress and stroke it when you think it is necessary, and not when it wants it. Do not lie down or kneel when petting a dog - this is also a sign of subdominance (submission).
Try to always be above the dog in the literal and figurative sense of the word.
Games.
Stop all power games with your dog. They give her the impression that you can dominate a person physically using your teeth. In a dog pack, these games are more than just games, they help establish a hierarchical structure that is based on physical strength. If you are the owner large dog, then she is probably stronger than you. Rough play with force will further show this to her, which is not desirable if you are trying to rehabilitate her.
Find new forms of play: hide and invite the dog to find you (or family members), look for objects and toys, play frisbee (playing frisbee), etc. Remember, you start and end the game, not the dog. Stop playing before she gets bored.
While the puppy is small, do not let him become the owner of toys. Let each family member take the toy from the puppy at any time, and after 10-15 seconds invite him to play with it again. If the puppy growls, shake him by the collar and scold him. However, taking a toy from an older dog is not so easy. In this case, follow Ed Frauli's advice: “You need to fasten the leash and adjust (make a series of sharp jerks) the leash near the toy. If at this moment the dog is still growling, it must be scolded in a stern, low voice. As soon as the dog throws the toy, the owner must take him away before picking up the toy. Until the dominance situation is under control, this toy should not be given to the dog again. Only the owner controls the dog's world, and the dog must understand this. One part of this scenario is that you decide which toys to play with and for how long.
It happens that the dog does not give up the toy even after correction with the leash, and the owner is not sure that he can safely pull it out of his mouth. There are options for this case further actions. Ignore the current situation. Only enter a fight when you can win. And when the dog finally releases the toy, pick it up, put it away and never give it again.
If you decide to force the achievement of results and win the “war” for a toy from strong dog, some preliminary preparation is necessary. First, put a second strict collar on the dog, or better yet, a noose. Secondly, tie the leash to a solid, strong object - a “post” (that will not move), for example, to a central heating radiator. When the dog takes the toy, lead it by the leash to the second leash, which is attached to the “post”, and fasten it to the second strict collar. Now the dog has two leashes, each of which is attached to its own collar. Order the dog to give up the toy and, moving away, pull so that the dog is between the “post” and you. To do this, you will have to apply some force to make the dog spit out the toy. Once she does this, praise her. If you are not afraid of a dog biting, approach him and praise him soothingly. But she may again try to grab the toy at this moment. In this case, step back and pull again.
This process should not be too hectic for you. Control yourself, stay calm. Continue to pull your dog every time he tries to return the toy during your approach. If you don't feel brave enough to pick up the toy, simply kick it away so your dog can't reach it. Always remember that it is better to get involved in a fight when you can win it.
The described procedure is only applicable for big dog. The little one just needs to be lifted off the ground and kept suspended until she releases the toy. This may seem terrible to some soft-hearted owners, but it is no more terrible than a dog biting a child on the face.”
Useful tips Ed Frauli should be used.
Where does your dog sleep?
The dog should not sleep in your bedroom or on your bed. The bedroom is your “den” as a leader. The leader dog sleeping in it begins to consider itself equal to you. But perhaps your dog is already sleeping on your bed and growls or bites when you try to get him out of there? We'll have to re-educate him - not allow him to go into the bedroom. The same goes for sofas and armchairs - exclude your dog's access to them until his behavior improves.
One of the best ways to retrain a lead dog is to crate it. This is where she needs to sleep, eat and stay long enough if you want her to calm down and remember that she is a dog.
Feeding.
If you don't want to raise a dominant puppy, keep him out of the kitchen and don't feed him from the table. The table is a large bowl from which only the dominant members of the pack eat, and first the dominants, and then everyone else. During family dinner time, place your dog in another room, place, or crate. At worst, feed her at the same time when your whole family is having lunch, but in a different room.
If the puppy growls while eating, feed him while holding the bowl in his hands, or put a little food in it and add more while the puppy eats. When he has his nose in the bowl, offer him something tasty from your hand, holding it directly above the bowl.
After the dog has accepted the above procedures, take the bowl away from him during meals, place food in it in front of the dog, and return the bowl to him again. If you are running out of time and your older dog is showing some concern, take your time. First, carry out all other educational activities not related to feeding, then try, for example, the following: fill a bowl, place it on the edge of the table so that the dog can see it, sit next to it on a chair and call the dog. When he comes over, start feeding him by hand, demonstratively taking food from the bowl each time. After 3-4 exercises, place the bowl on your lap and repeat the lesson. Then feed the dog while holding the bowl in your hands. Proceed with caution and do not allow other family members to provoke the dog during its dinner.
Walks.
The leader leads the pack - this is his right and duty. Thus, if you want to be a leader, then be the first out the door, the first down the stairs, and when outside, do not follow the puppy or drag him on a tight leash. Change the direction of movement more often, forcing the dog to follow you. Use your rights to the fullest extent possible. Only you have to decide what to sniff, who to approach and who to play with. Trifle? But it is very important when establishing a relationship with a dog.
It is not enough to become a leader, you have to be one.
So, after some time (very different for different dogs) you became a general, but this does not mean that you will remain one forever. The main issue has been resolved - the dog has stopped using physical strength in resolving conflict situations. But it’s too early to calm down. Yes, there are dogs for whom one cycle of re-education is enough for the rest of their lives, but natural leaders need to be constantly reminded of their actual place in the pack family. “Career” dogs will also sometimes have to be reminded who’s boss, because they won’t give up hope of getting closer to the leader.
Obedience training.
As soon as your dog begins to change his behavior (no need to wait for the final victory), you need to go through the process with him. training area obedience course. All dogs must be trained, but especially dogs with leadership tendencies.
An obedience course will teach you how to control your dog. During the training process, you will become a leader, learn how to set rules and command correctly, and how to gain the dog's respect and maintain it. You will need to introduce all members of your family to the rules for shaping the dog’s behavior.
I have to disappoint you: obedience training will not end with attending training classes. Obedience commands must be practiced daily throughout life.
In a dog pack, the leader uses every opportunity to remind him of his status in order to reinforce it. Some skills, such as grooming, are particularly effective and non-violent in reminding a dog of its place in the family hierarchy.
A well trained dog is a happy dog. To be completely happy, our four-legged friends need to work as part of a pack and interact with its members. Training satisfies these needs. A well-trained dog will allow you to be more free. You can visit her different places and do more different things if she knows how to behave. A well-mannered dog is safe for family members and passers-by.

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Does your adorable puppy growl at you every time you pick him up? Is this growl so serious that you worry that the puppy will grow into an aggressive dog? If so, know that almost all puppies go through a growling stage. The mere presence of a growl does not mean that the puppy does not like you or becomes aggressive. However, growling at you cannot be tolerated, so steps must be taken to stop the behavior. This article will tell you how to help your puppy learn to restrain his growl and become a well-mannered dog.

Steps

Part 1

Based training positive reinforcement

Learn positive reinforcement training techniques. The best way teaching the puppy commands or understanding that certain behavior is unacceptable - training based on positive reinforcement. It is about rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. To eradicate unwanted behavior, you need to provide the puppy with motivation for good behavior, for which he is guaranteed to receive praise and treats.

Select a team. One of the most important aspects training based on positive reinforcement - this is your consistency, as the puppy learns to understand you through numerous repetitions necessary actions. First of all, it is necessary to maintain consistency in using the word chosen as a command, upon hearing which the puppy should stop growling. For example, the most appropriate command in such a situation would be “Quiet!”

When picking up your puppy, praise him and give him a treat. If your puppy doesn't growl immediately when you pick him up, praise him affectionately. It can also be helpful to keep small pieces of treats in your pocket and give them to your puppy while he is quiet and peaceful in your arms.

Stop giving treats as soon as the puppy starts growling. You need to ensure that the puppy begins to associate the treat with being quiet and calm in your arms. As soon as he starts growling, stop praising and treating your pet. However, do not let go of it. If you put your puppy on the ground as soon as he growls, he will think that the growl is forcing you to let him go, which will only make the unwanted behavior worse instead of eliminating it.

Start using the selected command. If you decide to use the “Quiet!” command, use it as soon as you stop giving your puppy a treat. Give it in a stern tone, but not too loudly or aggressively, so as not to scare the puppy. If you give the command affectionately, the puppy will think that you are continuing to praise him, since in the same tone you are encouraging him for his behavior. good behavior.

Say the command just once, and then wait for the puppy to stop growling. Repeating the command over and over again will only make it more difficult for the puppy to develop an associative connection between the command and the required behavior.

Demonstrative failure to follow commands, barking, growling and attacking people and other animals, inadequate “guarding” of food, bowls, toys and one's place, expression of displeasure or resistance when grooming, bathing and handling others hygiene procedures, “sudden deafness” on a walk when calling to the owner - this is just an incomplete list of problems faced by owners of dogs that show dominant aggression. When faced with this behavior for the first time, most owners feel confused and angry. As a rule, a dog’s aggression is perceived as a surprise, and when talking about their problem, people often use the words “suddenly,” “out of the blue,” “for no reason.”

However, even if it seems to you that the dog bites, growls, attacks the owner, rushes at other people, dogs and cats for no apparent reason, in fact, there are always reasons for the dog’s dominant behavior, and most often these are the owner’s mistakes made long ago before the dog first showed aggression and disobedience. In other words, a dog’s dominant behaviors are those “flowers” that grow from “seeds” sown by an owner who has the wrong idea of what a healthy relationship with a dog is.

Fortunately, in most cases, dog dominance, and the aggression associated with it, can be corrected and adjusted. However, it is much easier to prevent dominant aggression in a dog. To do this, it is necessary, first of all, to understand the essence and roots of the problem itself.

Important! Before you begin to correct aggressive dominant behavior, make sure that the dog’s aggression is not caused by any other reasons: physical ailments, fears, changes in the environment and the family where the dog lives. To rule out these factors, take your dog for examination at veterinary clinic and consult with dog handlers.

What is the reason for a dog's dominant behavior?

Domestic dogs, having lost quite a lot of the qualities of their wild counterparts, nevertheless remained pack animals, only now those families where they live become their pack. The dominant behavior of a dog is based on its ideas about the hierarchy in this pack and its own status in it. And if the ideas of “equality and brotherhood” are quite acceptable for a person, then a dog is distinguished by strictly hierarchical thinking. In order to feel confident and protected, it is vital for a dog to know what place it occupies in the hierarchy of the pack and who the “leader” is. And she has only two ways to find out: either the dog’s place in the pack is determined by the owner, or she will determine it herself. Guess what place the dog will try to occupy itself if it has such an opportunity? Of course, the place of the leader, who decides for himself when and what to eat, where to sleep, how to behave with strangers, etc. Thus, dominance is the behavior of a leader, and it is not necessarily expressed in open aggression.

Most often, the first manifestations of this behavior are quite harmless, and that is why owners ignore them, setting the stage for serious clashes with a dominant dog in the future. As already mentioned, “dominance”, “dominant behavior” often does not give the impression of aggressiveness. In contrast, aggression is an attack by a dog in order to protect its dominant position. This includes growling, biting, disobedience, and running away. A dog shows aggression when, due to the owner’s oversight and inattention, it has ALREADY decided that it occupies a dominant position in the pack, and the owner and other family members are trying, in the dog’s opinion, to challenge this position. Thus, it is necessary to separate the concepts of “dominance” and “dominant aggression” of a dog. In order to prevent manifestations of dominant aggression, it is necessary from the first days of the puppy’s arrival in the house to suppress any manifestations of dominant behavior, no matter how harmless or even cute they may seem to you.

Examples of dominant dog behavior:

As mentioned above, dominant behavior is the behavior of a leader who makes his own decisions, who leads the whole pack, who gets all the best! Usually, different dogs demonstrate various signs dominance, but in general outline The behavior of the leader is manifested as follows:

- the leader sleeps in best place (the dog climbs onto the sofa and growls when trying to get it out of there)

- the leader starts eating first(you feed your dog's dominance by feeding him before you eat yourself)

-the leader does not allow food to be taken away from him or touching it to other members of the pack (demonstrative eating of food in the center of the room and growling at other members of the pack, aggression when other family members try to touch the food or bowl).

- the leader decides whether the pack will fight, he determines for himself how to greet strangers, be they people or dogs (aggression, barking, growling at anyone without the owner’s permission)

-the leader always goes ahead of the pack(the dog tries to be the first to jump out of the apartment or enter the entrance during a walk, pulls forward on a leash during a walk)

-the leader decides what he will do(the dog ignores the commands and orders of the owner, continuing undesirable behavior, sometimes demonstratively. This can also include jumping on people when meeting, obsessive behavior and attempts to attract attention to himself when the owner is busy with something else, taking initiative in terms of games - for example , you are sitting at the computer, and the dog brings a toy and compulsively puts it in your hands, climbs onto your lap and does not respond to commands to stop all this).

-the leader puts other members of the pack in their place, if they encroach on his rights (resistance, expression of displeasure during hygiene procedures and during examination by a veterinarian, aggression in response to the owner’s attempts to stop the dog’s unwanted behavior).

There are also frequent cases when there are no problems with obedience to the owner, but the dog growls at the child and other family members. Most likely, she recognizes the leader in the owner, but considers herself “the second person in the state.” It is unacceptable for a dog to consider someone in the family “below” itself.

Methods for preventing and correcting dominant dog behavior

Like any problem, dominant aggression is easier to prevent than to correct. Preventing dominance is especially important when training dogs. large breeds, as well as males and females who are inclined to fight for the place of “leader” due to their character. However, even a tiny proper education can become a real tyrant, no less dangerous than a pit bull or Caucasian Shepherd Dog. In fact, the phrase “dominant dog breeds” is meaningless - most often we ourselves turn sane animals into uncontrollable monsters.

How to become a “leader” for a dog? Let's consider those areas of interaction between the puppy and the owner in which you can demonstrate your leadership to the dog.

Place to rest and sleep: the dog must have its own, clearly defined place in the house (it is better that it is not an ordinary rag-bedding, but), and with early childhood be accustomed to return and remain on it on the command “Place!”. Many owners allow their dogs to lie where they want. This is not a problem if, in general, the dog behaves obediently and does not show a strong desire to dominate, but if difficulties arise with dominant aggression, it is necessary to categorically stop all attempts by the dog to perch on the place that belongs to the leader, that is, you. It is also useful to periodically sit in the dog’s place for some time, after driving it away from there. Also, a dog can show dominant behavior in this way: it simply lies across the corridor or in the doorway and does not give way when it is necessary to pass by it. To demonstrate the leader's behavior in this situation, you don't need to walk around or step over the dog - just push him out of the way. Growled? This means there is a problem with dominance).

Food: Train your dominant dog to start eating only on the command “It’s OK!” This is how you secure your leading position. If the puppy tries to defend the food and keep you away from the bowl, try feeding him while holding the bowl with your hand. Then say “No” and take the bowl away, then put it back and do not allow him to touch the food until the “Yes” command sounds.

Play: To avoid your dog showing signs of dominance, follow a few simple rules:

1) the owner starts and ends the games, not the dog;

2) toys must be given to the owner unquestioningly;

3) if you are playing “tug of war” with your dog, do not give up the toy under any circumstances if it starts to growl and show aggression: by doing this you will reinforce in the dog’s mind the idea that if he growls, he will get what he wants .

Petting: It is unacceptable to pet a dog excessively or to “comfort” it in any way when it exhibits unwanted behavior, such as aggression, cowardice, or hysteria. Affection should be given “in doses” and mainly as a reward for good behavior. It's hard for a person to believe, but setting clear boundaries and strict, reasonable discipline makes a dog happier than continuous lisps and vague rules of behavior that do not give him a clear idea of \u200b\u200bthe hierarchy in the pack.

Walking: Dominant behavior during walks is most often manifested in a reluctance to approach on command, as well as growling, barking and aggression towards people and animals without the owner’s permission. Many smart dogs, consolidating their dominant position, they use the trick of “sudden deafness” or sit down in the bushes “on business”, which gives them an “iron alibi” and the opportunity not to carry out the command. This behavior is “treated” by methodically practicing the commands “Come to me!”, “Nearby”, “No”, “Sit”, “Lie down” every day. Walks can also be used to release the excess energy of a dominant pet: a dog that has spent a couple of hours working on the playground or after an intense run will not have much energy left to fight for leadership at home.

Hygiene procedures: It is necessary as early as possible to accustom the puppy to the fact that the owner can do whatever he wants with him (within the limits of common sense, of course). The dog must unquestioningly allow its claws and fur to be trimmed, its paws washed, its teeth examined, its ears cleaned, and not resist when it is necessary to give an injection or carry out other unpleasant medical procedures. This not only reinforces the owner's leadership, but can also save your dog's life in a critical situation.

Obedience training, following commands: besides the obvious practical benefit teaching commands, training as a form of interaction between a dog and a person in itself helps to avoid the pet’s dominant behavior, since in the process of practicing commands the dog learns to FOLLOW the owner’s orders, that is, to get used to obedience and submission. Also, with the help of commands, you can suppress unwanted forms of behavior: for example, a dog that has been commanded “Down” will find it quite difficult in this position to rush at passing cyclists. Regardless of what breed your dog is and how small and harmless it looks, do not neglect teaching basic OKD commands - this will make life much easier in the future for both the dog, yourself, and those around you.

How to retrain a dominant dog, what to do if the dog shows aggression

When dealing with a dominant individual, you must first of all adequately assess own strength. Sometimes it happens that the dog is simply more high level energy and inner strength than its owner. In this case, the latter is unlikely to be able to convince the dog of his leadership. Remember - it is better not to enter into confrontation or open conflict with a dog if you are not sure that you can win. You should not compete with your dog in areas where it is actually stronger than you (for example, in jaw strength and running speed). Choose areas for pressure in which you can maintain complete control: first of all, food, affection, attention as a reward for the desired behavior (and deprivation of all this in case of disobedience). Punishment also works well by restricting the dog's freedom with a leash, muzzle, strict collar or placing it in a crate if it tries to impose its own style of behavior. If “soft” methods do not help, you can apply them to your dog physical impact: grab it tightly by the scruff of the neck (you can even lift it into the air if its size allows) and give it a good pat. In some cases, a bite to the withers helps - this is how the “leader” puts other members of the pack in their place. Do not retreat under any circumstances, despite growling and resistance, until the dog assumes a “submission pose” - the tail is tucked, the growling has stopped, the dog is caressing, sometimes even lying on its back with its belly up. If, during a showdown with the dog, in response to its resistance, growling and biting, the owner retreats (even going into another room to get some object to punish the dog can be considered a retreat), then he only once again convinces the dog that that she is the leader. That is why it is necessary to sensibly assess your strengths when choosing a method of influencing the dominant dog.

If the dog's energy level significantly exceeds the owner's, the best way out there will be a separation for both. However, in most cases, it is quite possible to cope with dominant behavior.

Algorithm for correcting aggressive behavior

1. Identify how your dog exhibits dominant behavior. You can even make a list, for example:

Does not allow you to take your own bowl while eating;

Jumps on guests when meeting;

While walking, he ignores the command “Come to me”;

2.The next point is quite difficult. You need to observe your behavior and understand what actions contribute to the dog not recognizing you as a leader.. You can also make a list here, for example:

If the dog does not come to me, I repeat the command many times, or simply ignore its behavior, accepting that it does not listen to the command;

I retreat when the dog growls at me;

I praise the dog just like that, even if he has just done something bad.

Ask other family members and friends for their perspective on what you are doing wrong when dealing with a dominant dog.

3.Write down how you plan to change your behavior for each of your dog's dominant behaviors:

I will start training the dog on commands that he does not follow;

I will stop giving the dog pieces from the table and feeding it first;

I will punish the dog when it displays dominant aggression and will not back down when it growls or shows other signs of dissatisfaction.

4. ASAP start working with the dog according to the chosen scheme. Methodically and consistently practice commands and stop all attempts by the dog to dominate. Explain to your loved ones that your dog has problems with dominant aggression and ask them not to encourage it. If you find it difficult to identify your mistakes on your own, seek help from an instructor who will help you develop the right line of behavior. There is also a huge amount of literature available today on training dogs and correcting their unwanted behavior, which will help you solve problems with aggressive dominance in your dog. Remember - in order for something to change in a dog’s behavior, first of all, it is necessary to change the behavior of its owner.

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Experienced dog breeders know firsthand how important it is to raise a dog correctly with early age. But if you miss even the smallest details and put the brakes on aggression on the part of your four-legged pet, everything can end sadly. The dog will growl at the owner, begin to disobey and not comply basic commands. If the situation has already reached this point, immediate action must be taken. Let's look into the reasons for what happened and give practical recommendations for education.

Statistical data

Let's give some facts and study statistics. Dogs have been living alongside people for many centuries. Such long-term cooperation has led to the fact that animals and humans get along without conflicts. Cynology, the science of dogs, has advanced.
Dogs are under close supervision of scientists, who are identifying more and more new features of their four-legged friends. Thanks to the extensive experience of dog handlers, their cooperation with trainers and amateur dog breeders, it was possible to draw a conclusion regarding the behavior of dogs.
According to statistics, about 78% of pets that growl at their owners or otherwise show aggression towards a person have bitten the owner or members of his family at least once. This percentage does not apply to the animal biting intentionally. He could have been prompted to do this by the actions of people. But a fact is a fact.
According to some data, more than 60% of people injured by dogs are the owners of the animals themselves. Moreover, from the above percentage most of people - old people or small children. When a dog attacks a child, its bites occur on the facial tissue. This is dangerous, so measures must be taken.
As for the upbringing and maintenance of aggressive animals, attacks were mainly carried out by those who were kept at home or were thrown out into the street for unknown reasons. In any case, a dog raised by a human is more aggressive. Than the one who was born on the street and was raised by a bitch.

Causes of aggression

There are 4 fundamental reasons why an animal may show aggression and growl at its owner.

This list includes animal breeding that was poorly planned or not thought through at all.
Also, a dog can growl due to improper upbringing, aggression towards it, human violence, constant bullying (intentional provocation of anger).
Another reason is the intrusiveness of children or guests (friends of the owner). The dog simply cannot calm down because it is constantly disturbed. This is where aggressive signs and growling arise.
It is worth highlighting incorrectly carried out or late socialization, in which the pet cannot adequately respond to other animals or people.

It is important to understand that aggression, as well as attachment, refers to the emotions of the animal. You can’t rely only on facts; you need to know your dog, feel its mood, listen to your own intuition. Wisdom, experience and kindness are your best allies. Of course, the dog's temperament should not be discounted.

It is quite possible to correct the situation. A dog can be trained to growl at its owner. To do this, it is necessary to show who is the boss and leader of the pack. Keep in mind that with such upbringing you will definitely encounter resistance and stubbornness. Therefore, be prepared to gain courage, patience, strength and endurance. This is the only way to achieve what you want. If this is not done, especially when large sizes pet, may occur serious problems. Especially if the dog is fighting breeds. Such an animal can become a potential threat not only to the owner, but also to all family members.

Feeding

It is worth normalizing the feeding time of the animal. Do not try to feed your pet before you get up from the table. It is important to teach your dog to eat only on command. If your pet begins to defend his bowl, you should hold it with one hand. A dog shouldn't have to defend its food from you.
It is important to teach the animal not to hang around the table and not beg for food. Train your dog to start and stop eating only on your command. If necessary, the pet should give away the remaining food without aggression.
Do not give in or be afraid of the dog's growling. If you give in and give in at least once, the animal will develop a new reflex. The dog will think that growling at you is enough to make you move away. Thus, you cease to be the leader of the pack.

Weasel

No matter how much you love your pet, and no matter how cute he is, he cannot be petted and petted all the time. The dog doesn't take it for granted human feelings and love for her.
On the contrary, the pet will confuse the attitude towards it. He may perceive such a manifestation of feelings as weakness. Affection should be in moderation. Always reward your dog for correctly executed commands.

Punishment and reward

Any pet needs fair treatment from its owner. You need to regularly reward your pet for following commands. If necessary, the dog should be punished fairly. However, even in this matter, consistency must be observed.
Otherwise, the pet may confuse its attitude towards itself. The dog can understand signs such as weakness. She will take a dominant position. When punishing, you must communicate with the animal in a language that it understands.
Do not resort to shouting and rudeness. Use the wolf trick. The leader of the pack should grab the culprit by the neck and press it to the ground, while slightly suffocating it. If the animal continues to resist, it must be lifted up until the pet goes limp and gives up. In animal language, the dog admits defeat.

If you are faced with a similar situation, everything can be fixed. Do not be manipulated by the animal. Show that you are the leader of the pack, the head of the family, the authority. You cannot be contradicted and the only way out is to obey. It is also important to raise the dog correctly from an early age so that such situations do not arise at all.

Video: what to do if a dog growls at its owner

From the smallest to the largest, from the plush-cute to the menacingly dangerous, from decorative to guard dogs - dogs, in all their diversity, are the most faithful, reliable and devoted friend among our smaller brothers. Guide dogs, hunting dogs, nanny dogs - this is part of the list of obligations that fall on the shoulders of pets.

Dogs are like little children: training plays a key role in their behavior. Well behaved dog you can see right away: an easy-going, calm look, fulfilling commands and requests the first time, complete exclusion of aggression and disobedience.

Sometimes it happens that poor upbringing of a dog turns the life of the family in which it lives into hell: various pranks and disobedience, aggression or even an attack by the animal on family members. At first, this can simply cause a lot of inconvenience and get on your nerves, and then it can lead to last resort— decisions to euthanize the dog.

That is why it is important to raise your pet from a very early age, when he is an adorable fluffy ball.

Why does a dog growl at its owner?

No matter how much you love your pet, do not forget that nature always lives inside and sometimes manifests itself. First of all, a dog is an animal, and then a hunter, watchman, nanny or friend. And, like all animals, instincts awaken in the dog.
Close relatives of dogs are wolves. As you know, a wolf pack is an organization with a strict hierarchy, where each member has his own responsibilities and position in society. Not a single pack can do without a leader: the strongest, smartest and cold-blooded wolf.

If you raise a dog incorrectly, give it various indulgences, “babble” with it and pay too much attention, then the instinctive instinct will tell the animal that it is the main thing here. Leadership feelings, closely associated with aggression and violence, will awaken in the dog. After all, if all the other “members of the pack” (your family) carry the dog in their arms (both literally and figuratively), allow it everything and never show strength, it means they respect and fear it. The dog begins to show aggression when one of the family members allows himself to shout at it in a commanding tone. Dog aggression is a completely unpleasant and sometimes even dangerous phenomenon, so the dog needs to prove that it is the youngest member of the family!

How to avoid aggression from your pet?

Of course, it is easier to prevent a situation than to correct it later. You need to start raising a dog from the very beginning, as soon as you adopted it as a small puppy. In order to properly raise a dog and prevent manifestations of aggression on its part at an older age, you need to follow the following recommendations:

Don't hold your puppy for too long. Excessive displays of tenderness are a direct path to being spoiled and not understanding your place in the hierarchy. When you hold a puppy in your arms for a long time, a feeling of ascension, respect, and worship is deposited in his mind. During the training period, a puppy should be treated like an adult dog.

Find the puppy a certain place that will be considered his rightful place and always send him there as punishment. Strict “get back to your place!” should become a golden phrase that can be used as punishment. From an early age, a puppy must realize that not the entire territory is at his disposal: he must have a certain place, his own niche, which pacifies his egocentrism and makes it clear that only the owner decides where and when he should be.

Use Moderately physical punishment. In case of disobedience, you are allowed to lightly spank the puppy on the rump, above the tail. Hitting this area is safe for the puppy’s health, but at the same time gives a psychological signal that this should not be done. You must spank with your hand! If you hit your dog with a foreign object, you will create distrust in yourself.
What to do if the dog is already growling at its owner?

If you still missed the moment when the problem could have been prevented, and it already exists, you should start showing aggression in response. Only this aggression should not be of a competitive nature, but of a humiliating nature: the dog must understand that the place of the leader has already been taken.

When the dog starts to growl, grab it by the scruff of the neck and press it to the floor with force: try not to let it escape. This is how insolence is punished in a pack of wolves. You need to continue this procedure until the dog relaxes and stops resisting. If this does not help, you need to take it by the scruff of the neck, lift it off the ground and shake it well. Your leadership and superiority will be proven when the dog relaxes and calms down.

You need to do this every time the dog tries to snap at you or show aggression.

If the above actions do not help, and the dog still continues to snap and growl, you should seek help from a professional dog handler. Then you will avoid injuries, both moral and physical.