Canines are hardwired to protect their territory from intruders. In most cases, they communicate a warning to others by barking; it’s a form of intimidation. If a trespasser fails to heed the warning, your pooch’s barking might turn into pacing and growling as if he is preparing for a physical confrontation. If the trespasser still refuses to leave, the pacing and growling may evolve into an attack.

If your pooch shows signs of territorial aggression, it is important to begin discouraging the behavior as soon as possible. Otherwise, your visitors’ safety might be at risk. This article will provide several tips you can use to discourage your dog from behaving aggressively over his territory.

Before Training Begins

There are a few medical conditions that can influence your canine’s tendency to act aggressively toward others. For example, hypothyroidism causes a deficiency of thyroid hormones and can lead to his feeling overly-anxious. If he becomes agitated enough, his anxiety can potentially prompt an attack.

You should also take precautions to ensure that you and your dog will not be interrupted by strangers during your training sessions. Close and lock your gates, especially if you’re training him off-leash.

Action Steps To Curb Aggressive Behavior

First, make sure your canine receives at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. That will help prevent pent-up energy from contributing to his anxiety or aggression.

Second, devote time each day to training your dog to respond to your single-word commands. Many professional trainers recommend a program that includes two or three short sessions (5 minutes per session is sufficient) each day. Whenever your canine successfully responds to your commands, provide a food treat.

In addition to these training sessions, make your pooch work for everything he desires. For example, require him to sit before serving him meals or giving him attention. Over time, your canine will learn that if he wants something, he must follow your commands to acquire it.

One of the challenges owners have with canines that are territorially aggressive is that their dogs often try to usurp the role of leader. This can be due to several factors, including a laxity toward actively curbing the aggressive behavior. To that end, it may be necessary to place a head halter on your pooch in situations that might provoke his aggression.

For example, if you’re expecting visitors with whom your dog is unfamiliar, a head halter will gently encourage him to submit to your authority. That gives your pooch an opportunity to meet new people, and be rewarded (with treats) for staying calm when others trespass on “his” territory.

The suggestions above are effective for canines whose territorial aggression is based on dominance. If the aggressive behavior is triggered by a fear-based mechanism, a modified approach including desensitization and counter conditioning is necessary. Training in such cases is focused on reducing a dog’s level of fear and changing the manner in which he perceives a potential threat. We’ll address those training issues in an upcoming article.

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Now who would have ever thought that your dog could be allergic to fleas? Well they can and as silly as it sounds it can be a very serious for some dogs. Heck, it’s pretty darn annoying for the pet owners too.

This allergy can start as early as a puppy but can also manifest itself at any time in a dog’s life. Adult fleas do the biting but they cannot live for long if they are not on your cat or dog. Well, that makes me feel just a little bit better.

The adult flea makes the initial bite but when it falls off it dies. The eggs left behind will hatch and continue the process. Getting control of the infestation is critical to curing the problem.

Regular treatment and monitoring can keep your dog or cat free of fleas. Anyone who has had a pet that suffers from this condition can tell you that the constant chewing can be a total pain. Chronic conditions can sometimes lead to behavioral problems in your dog.

Constant itching and chewing is a sure sign of fleas on your dog. You can also search the dog to see if you notice the fleas themselves or flea dirt. Your vet might also want to test a skin scrapping for mites if no fleas are visible.

We humans are not off limits when it comes to fleas. We too can suffer from fleabites so treating not only your pet but also your house will help rid you of these little bitters. Remember, to set off this reaction in your dog, all it takes is one bite!

As you might imagine, a condition like a flea allergy can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet. Quick treatment like a dip or flea shampoo will bring instant relief. The application of a monthly topical applied to the back of your dogs neck will provide continuous protection.

Along with the chewing and itching, your dog might start loosing hair. If your pet is suffering an allergic reaction to flea it can also have lesions all over its body. It’s horrible to watch a dog suffering so be diligent with treatment to provide you beloved pet some much needed relief.

More serious infestations might require multiple treatments before results are noticed. Continued monthly treatments will eventually take affect ridding your dog of those nasty little nuisances. And you will see a happy healthier dog for all your efforts.

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How to teach a puppy not to bite is one of the first behaviours you will want to manage in your new puppy. If not prevented early on, this type of biting can eventually develop in an adult dog into a situation when someone could end up injured.

Stay Consistent

Every member of the family must remain consistent in how the new puppy is trained. Teach your children to treat your puppy exactly as you do. Puppies do bite, it is what they do naturally. It is natural for them to bite their litter mates as an act of playing and so they will want to do exactly the same with you or you children.

Behave Just Like A Puppy

Understanding how they behave in the litter makes it much easier to stop them. One of their litter mates yelping will cause them to stop, so any time he nibbles on your fingers all you have to do is yelp just like him. He will stop biting and then you can just move your hand away. Don’t play with him for a while after he bit you. Use praise and treats when you are playing and he doesn’t bite at all.

Keep Your Training Short

It’s important that your training sessions don’t go on for too long. Puppies don’t have a long attention span. Do keep the training positive and your voice happy. Give lots of praise. Pet the puppy when he pays attention to what you are saying.

Plenty Of Toys

When you happen to be working on the way to educate a new puppy not to bite make certain the puppy is provided with toys to bite and chew on. In case your dog bites your hand say ouch or yelp. Keep consistent in this. Should your puppy backs off it is important to let him know that this pleases you.

Give Plenty Of Love And Attention

All puppies require loads of love and attention. They also enjoy plenty of play time with the correct toys. Puppies like texture. Therefore, always keep lots of different types of toys on hand for your puppy to play with. He will pick his favourite one. Use that one when you are teaching him not to bite.

No Old Shoes Or Clothes

Nevertheless, do not provide your old boots and shoes or clothes to your puppy to play with. He has absolutely no idea what may be new and what is not. He could believe this implies it is Acceptable to munch up all your clothing and footwear. Puppies will become confused easily. He has to recognize that your things are definitely not his playthings.

Stick With The Routine

Ensure everyone sticks to the program. You should never have the children let your puppy nip or bite them during play, this will certainly confuse the puppy. Train them to yelp and finish playing too. Make sure your puppy is provided treats for good behaviour and not for bad.

Remember, it is a natural thing for puppies to bite and nip at their playmates so it takes a little time to unlearn the behaviour. No one would like a dog who is aggressive towards anyone so it is really worth putting into practice these instructions on the best way to teach a puppy not to bite.

Hannah Clapham is an enthusiastic writerwith a special interest in the area of dog training. Her latest website talks about the benefits of using a Citronella Anti Bark Collar to prevent problem barking. For more information, visit the Citronella Anti Bark Collar website