Man’s best friend, when an individual hears those phrases they automatically know somebody is referring to a dog. It’s a well known fact that having one thing in your life particularly a canine can improve your quality of life. They can be one of the best thing that has ever walked into your life, but an untrained canine can be a residing nightmare.

Once you first get your new puppy, among the best things to purchase is a crate. By educating the pet that it must not go to the lavatory in its personal little home you’re as properly instructing it that your entire house is to be potty free. Crate training puppies additionally gives a meeker puppy a secure place that they will rest and really feel secure in. This might be quite useful if the pup is of a larger breed. But the crates are excellent for the small dogs as well.

Everybody wants a place they’ll rest their head and know that the world is still okay. Additionally by putting the puppy in a crate whenever you leave them, you would possibly be protecting them protected from the various dangers a house can contain for them. Cleaners and medicines are simply two of the hidden hazards a dog can encounter in an unattended home. You may be also controlling that devilish facet that can destroy a house in just a matter of minutes when a pup is left alone, feeling abandoned. Take it from somebody who has had multiple canines in my life, an unattended, insecure canine can actually eat your personal home one chair at a time.

The various ways to coach your new dog will include collars. Such collars as choke chains, prong collars, and even heaven forbid shock collars are a standard coaching technique for those not likely giving it their wholehearted attempt. There are some humane collars that can be used such as martingale dog collars, they are a more light teaching help that’s fairly helpful for that new member to your family. Whereas not being as painful to the canine as the choke, shock, or prong collars the martingale collar still is ready to achieve getting their attention. For those individuals who are usually not fortunate enough to spend all their time with their pet, terribly enough we as humans seem to have to work. Sadly dog food would not grow on trees. These people can use the common dog training camps for the training in addition to socialization of their new pet. Such camps are quite helpful in providing a service a few of us just haven’t got the time to do ourselves.

So by applying the various totally different canine training tips that can be discovered, you’ll now be ready to be succesful of the ability to take pleasure in a happy productive pet a number of years to come. Nobody likes a bad behaved child, and nobody enjoys being around a badly behaving canine either.

So practice and enjoy the newest member to your loved ones with many years of canine treats and kisses.

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Agility training is focused upon helping your dog develop the necessary skills to compete with other canines on an agility course. The course includes several contact obstacles (we’ll describe them below) over, through, and across which your dog must race. Each pet has an assigned handler – typically the owner – who is tasked with directing his or her teammate through the course.

The sport debuted in England at the Crufts Dog Show in the late 1970s. At the time, the organizers used a course that modeled the one used for horse jumping competitions. The sport has since become popular on an international scale with competitions held in the U.S., Canada, and throughout Europe.

Below, we’ll provide an overview of agility training, beginning with the type of preparation canines should undergo prior to participating. As mentioned above, we’ll also cover, in detail, the course and the contact obstacles your pet will confront.

Training Requirements For Improving Performance

Any canine in good health can compete, though some breeds will likely be better suited to the competition. Dogs are typically grouped by height to make the race fairer. If your pet is normally energetic, and receives plenty of daily exercise, he will likely do well. On the other hand, a canine couch potato may be ill-equipped for the course.

One of the standard requirements for agility training is that dogs must be at least twelve months old in order to compete. A lot of owners begin to lay the groundwork earlier. For example, they’ll enroll their puppies into professional obedience classes while also taking the time to train them at home. As the pups become more accustomed to responding to basic commands, many owners then enroll them into agility classes.

Obedience training is critical since your pet will be racing on the same field as other canines. He must be able to get along with other pets, and focus on completing the course.

Types Of Obstacles To Expect

A typical agility trial will include several contact obstacles, all of which are completely safe. For example, your canine will be expected to walk across a balance beam; he’ll need to manage an A-frame structure that requires him to walk up an incline, and descend the other side; and he’ll need to traverse a series of jumps.

There are many types of jumps on the field, including doubles and triples (two and three bars, respectively), suspended tire jumps, and long jumps. Before you begin training your pet, ask his veterinarian to examine him for joint problems. Assuming the vet gives his approval, start small and gradually make the jumps more difficult.

The trials also include tunnels. Dogs normally find them intuitive; they know what they are supposed to accomplish. During training, start with a short tunnel through which your pet can easily see the other side. Then, lengthen them. He may be hesitant initially, but treats will provide the proper motivation.

There will also be at least one teeter-totter on the course. A long plank measuring up to twelve feet will be balanced by a pivot. Your dog will be required to run across the teeter-totter, completing it as the far side descends.

Weave polls are common, and may include up to twelve poles. Your dog will be expected to weave through them without skipping poles or knocking them down. The polls may be spaced as closely as twenty inches. This, of all contact obstacles, is often the most difficult.

Most agility trials will also involve a pause box. This is a simple, small square marked on the field. Your canine must arrive at the box, and remain within it for a set time before proceeding to the next obstacle.

Agility training can be a fun experience for many dogs and their owners. As mentioned earlier, prior to getting involved, make sure your canine’s veterinarian approves of his participation.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog training, dog care, dog behavior

Your canine wants to please you. The problem is, there is no way for him to know what behaviors you consider acceptable or unacceptable until you inform him. Essentially, he must be trained. This is the reason professional breeders strongly recommend enrolling dogs into obedience classes. There, they will learn how to behave in ways that please their owners.

A lot of people choose to train their pets at home rather than paying for professional classes. The right approach can be very successful. This article will share the “laws” of dog training that have proven effective for millions of other owners. With these guidelines, you’ll be able to teach your pet how to be a more pleasant companion.

Start With The Basic Commands

The simpler your command, the more motivated your pet will be to respond. Save those that are more complex for later. Begin with the basics: sit, heel, stay, and come. Once he has mastered these commands both on and off his leash, move on to more difficult ones. For instance, teach him to “drop it,” “go to your place,” and “look at me.”

Always Use Positive Reinforcement

Many owners assume they must either reward or punish their pets based on whether they respond correctly or incorrectly (respectively) to commands. Avoid punishing your canine. If he responds properly to your instructions, reward him with praise and a treat. If he fails to do so, withhold his reward. That alone is sufficient punishment, and will motivate him to succeed.

Make The Sessions Enjoyable

You want your canine to look forward to the training sessions. First, keep them under ten minutes; short sessions will help you retain his interest. Second, end each session by giving him a command he has already mastered. This gives you an opportunity to end by praising him and giving him a treat. Your pet will look forward to the next time he can earn both.

Practice With Distractions

Your dog may be able to easily respond to commands he knows well in the relative silence of your home. The environment might pose few distractions. After he has mastered certain commands, practice outside where people are walking and cars are passing. Doing so trains your pet to ignore things that are occurring around him, and instead focus on you. This skill may one day become valuable if you need to get his attention quickly.

Shorten Your Commands

Brevity is important since your canine can become easily confused with longer commands. Whenever possible, use single words. For example, tell him to “sit” rather than “sit down.” Tell him to “stay” rather than “stay right there.” The shorter, the better.

Train Him To Be Patient

Training your dog to “stay” for extended periods teaches him to control himself and remain patient. Begin by telling him to stay for ten seconds while you stand nearby. Once he has done so several times in a row, increase the time to twenty seconds, and stand a few feet away. Continue to do this until he can remain calmly in his spot for sixty seconds while you stand ten or fifteen feet away from him. Also, establish a word that releases him from his spot (e.g. “Done!”) so he’ll know when he has responded correctly.

Provide His Reward Quickly

Your dog must be able to recognize the reward he is receiving (e.g. a treat, praise, etc.) is due to a particular behavior. If you wait too long, he may fail to associate one with the other. Provide praise and treats within a second of his correct response. This helps ensure he’ll connect his actions with the rewards, and respond correctly in the future.

Training your canine is essential to helping him become a better companion for you and your family. It’s the only way he’ll know how to please you. Even if you enroll him into professional obedience classes, take additional time to train him at home.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog training, dog care, dog behavior

Most owners are unfamiliar with the nature of a typical dog pack. They understand intuitively that canines live, and often migrate and roam, in groups. Many people are also aware there is a social order that prevents discord from festering within the pack. This order is the reason canines can live, work, and defend their homes together for years without significant problems. Owners who want to better understand why their pets behave in certain ways would be well-served by exploring how a dog pack works.

Below, we’ll take a glimpse at life within a typical pack. We’ll start with an overview of how canines interact with each other in such an environment, and explore their motivations for doing so. You’ll also learn how your dog’s behaviors are influenced by their instinctive pack mentality.

The Hierarchy Of A Pack

Most groups are limited to ten or fifteen dogs, and are usually composed of both males and females. Research has suggested that such groups follow a clearly defined dominance hierarchy. That is, there are no true peers in the group. Each canine has more authority than the ones below him, and less than the ones above him. Two animals do not occupy the same position.

In groups of mammals, including humans, this organizational structure has been shown to minimize the level and frequency of conflict among members. This is likely the reason there are few fights among those in the same pack. If a dog that is lower in the hierarchical structure challenges one with a higher status, the former is usually punished or driven away.

Life In The Pack

The canine with the most authority of the group is its leader. While this position comes with advantages, it is also one with important duties. The leader enjoys control of the pack’s resources. For example, he gets to choose the best food for himself; he is able to select where he will sleep; and he gets to pick a mate for himself from among the group. The leader is responsible for organizing and leading the group’s migration in the event moving becomes necessary. He must also guard the home and resources from marauders.

As mentioned earlier, lower-status dogs must concede to those above them. For this reason, life in the pack for them tends to be stressful. Researchers claim, however, these dogs tend to do well during migrations since they have learned to adapt to a constantly changing situation within their group.

How Your Dog Perceives Your Family

While canines realize that people are not dogs, they still perceive them through the lens of their pack mentality. Within your household, this means your family represents his group. Strangers represent potential marauders who come to steal resources. This is an important dynamic for owners to understand, especially when children are involved.

Recall that in the wild, the hierarchy is clearly defined. There is no confusion regarding which dog has more status and authority over another. In a domestic home, however, many canines become confused about the hierarchical structure when young children are present. Some begin to think they have more status than kids. If a child behaves in a way that suggests a challenge to the dog’s perceived authority, the pet may react as he would to a subordinate. This is the reason is it critical to establish your family’s authority over your pet.

When Canines Become Aggressive

Many owners are surprised when they observe their canines becoming increasingly aggressive with them. In a pack, such dogs are usually the beta group members. They rarely assert themselves against higher-status dogs because doing so leads to immediate retribution. Owners, on the other hand, are often loathe to punish their canines when they demonstrate mild aggression toward them. Instead, they wait, and hope the problem resolves itself. The dog predictably becomes more aggressive when it is clear he will not be punished.

The above discussion is useful in the context of understanding why your pet behaves in certain ways. Much can be traced to his instinctive pack mentality.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog training, dog care, dog behavior

When you visit a professional breeder to choose a puppy, it is important that you know which selection criteria are important. Given that the pup you choose will be your companion for the remainder of his life, you’ll want to select wisely. Just because a particular pup is “cuter” than his littermates does not mean he will be a good match for you. There are many other factors that are more important.

Below, we’ll explain how to choose a puppy from among his littermates. You’ll learn why it is important to make the right selection, and some of the traits that suggest a particular pup will make a good companion. The following discussion will assume you have already considered which breeds offer the right fit for your lifestyle.

Why Choosing Carefully Is Important

As already mentioned, the puppy you select will spend the remainder of his life with you. For this reason, it’s worth spending time to look for signs that suggest an improper match (which we’ll explore in more detail in a moment). If you choose him based solely on cuteness or playfulness, you are essentially gambling with regard to his suitability for your lifestyle. Neither characteristic suggests anything about the adult canine into which he will develop.

All puppies pose a certain degree of developmental uncertainty. There’s no way to be sure regarding the type of dogs they will become down the road. That said, identifying hints of health issues, or extreme behavioral challenges, proves valuable since both tend to become more pronounced with time. Identifying them now will prevent unpleasant surprises in the future.

For example, many owners adopted their puppies only to discover they needed perpetual – and expensive – veterinary care as they grew older. Others adopted puppies that showed signs of extreme shyness or fear, and watched them develop into fearful and aggressive adult canines. This is the reason it is important to carefully choose your puppy. The following suggestions will help.

Watch A Pup’s Interaction With His Littermates

As your puppy develops into a full-grown adult, you’ll want him to be sociable with other pets and people. A friendly canine makes a better companion. The manner in which a pup interacts with his littermates is a good gauge of his social skills and future affability.

For example, does he play well without barking? Is he comfortable with his littermates on top of him? If not, it may suggest he’s uncompromising. Does he enjoy their company, or does he seem to prefer being by himself? Also, take note of the pup’s reaction when his littermate yelps at him. Puppies from the same litter do this to inform each other when they are playing too roughly. If a puppy disregards his littermate’s yelp, it may imply he’ll do the same with others when he is an adult.

How Does The Pup Treat People?

Next, pay particular attention to the manner in which a pup interacts with you and other people. Does he seem overly shy or fearful, or is he willing to approach people and remain near them? Dow he wander away when you encourage him to come to you? This may suggest he is self-reliant, and has an independent nature (an ideal match for some owners, but not for others).

Also, take note regarding how relaxed the puppy is when you handle him. When you slip an arm underneath him, is he willing to follow your lead, or does he scramble away? Are there areas on his body where he dislikes being touched? Try to gently restrain him for a few moments to test his response. Does he remain calm, or become aggressive? If the latter, this may be an indication he’ll be aggressive as he grows into an adult.

You can improve the likelihood that you and your pup will enjoy each other’s company by watching him at the breeder, and making your choice based on your observations. This is the best way to ensure your puppy will make a good companion throughout his life.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog training, dog care, dog behavior

Bringing a new dog home, and introducing him to your other pets, can be challenging. If your current pet has lived alone with you for years, he may dislike the idea of now being forced to share “his” space with another animal. On the other hand, if you have recently brought home a young pup, he may look forward to having the company of another canine. Every case is unique, and should be approached accordingly.

Below, we’ll offer a few tips that will help make the transition as smooth as possible. The following suggestions will minimize the likelihood of confrontations between your new dog and resident pets.

Buy Necessary Supplies In Advance

By the time you bring your new canine home, you should already have a bed, crate, water and food bowls, collar and lead, and toys waiting for him. These will make him feel much more comfortable in his new environment. Make sure you keep your resident pets away from these supplies prior to the arrival of your canine. Otherwise, they’ll leave their scent on them, which represents a claim on the property.

Wear The Scents Of Your Current Pets

When you pick up your dog to bring him home for the first time, wear clothing that has your current pet’s scent. The reason for doing this is to prepare your new dog for what awaits him at your home. He’ll understand that he’ll be sharing space with another pet.

Also, leave your resident pets at home when you pick up your new canine. This will give him a chance to become accustomed to their scent. It will also provide an opportunity for him to spend time with you without your other pets vying for your attention.

Allow Your Current Pets To Smell Your New Pet’s Scent

When you arrive home, have a friend remain outside with your new dog while you go inside to greet your resident pets. You’ll have the canine’s scent on you, which gives your current pets a chance to get acquainted with it. They are unaware they’re about to gain a new “friend”; smelling his scent is a valuable first step.

Next, confine them behind closed doors while you bring your new dog inside your home. Let him explore his surroundings at his own pace. After a half-hour, place him in his crate in the center of your living room. Let your current pets into the room, and supervise their behavior. They will be able to smell your new canine’s scent, which will already be familiar to them. Likewise, your canine will be familiar with their scents.

Making The Introductions

Don’t encourage your pets to interact with each other. Sit down nearby with a book, and pay attention for any signs of aggression. Let them investigate each other in their own way.

Every pet is unique. Some will display enthusiasm for the new addition to your family. Others will seem confused and hesitant, but will slowly become more comfortable. If your new dog and current pets interact well together, provide treats to encourage that behavior.

After forty or fifty minutes, let your new dog out of his crate. By this time, all of your pets will have become acclimated to each others’ company, and had time to gain a level of comfort. Be observant of their interaction, and stay ready to respond to the first indication of aggression. Otherwise, step back and let them mingle.

They may attempt to play with one another; they might ignore each other for awhile; or they may investigate further through close-up sniffing. Let them interact at their own pace. As before, stay nearby so you can intervene if any of your pets show aggression. There’s minimal chance of this occurring, however, since they have had plenty of time to grow accustomed to each other.

It’s important to avoid favoring your new canine. During the first few weeks, you’ll want to spend time with him in order to establish a bond. But take care to make sure your other pets don’t feel ignored. With the above approach, your pets will eventually see each other as friends within the same “pack.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog training, dog care, dog behavior

Adopting and caring for a canine is always a rewarding experience. In exchange for food, shelter, exercise, and regular veterinary care, your pet offers loyalty and companionship for the remainder of his life. Dogs that have lived in puppy mills, however, pose a unique challenge for owners. The treatment they received at the mill will likely have made them distrustful of people, and fearful of anything that is unfamiliar to them. Owners who adopt such dogs must take a few extra steps toward making them feel comfortable and secure in their new homes.

In this article, we’ll describe how puppies are treated in mills so you’ll understand the reasons such pups are hesitant and fearful of others. We’ll also describe the typical behaviors puppy mill dogs exhibit once they’re rescued. Lastly, we’ll provide a few suggestions for helping your canine feel comfortable within your home.

Inside A Puppy Mill

Puppies are treated poorly in mills. Their physical and mental health take a back seat to revenue. The mill generates this revenue by breeding the pups in their care. But there is a key difference between the breeding activity that takes place in a mill, and that which is done by professional breeders.

Professional breeders do everything possible to minimize genetic problems in the canines they breed. Mills take no such precautions. Instead, they breed pups without consideration for the likelihood that defects may pass to the litters. For this reason, many of the puppies born from this process are saddled with eye, dental, and joint problems.

The pups at the mill are usually housed in overcrowded pens. The living conditions are often dirty to the point of being unhygienic. Moreover, the dogs seldom receive the basic essentials they need to stay physically and mentally healthy. They rarely see the sun, or have access to a constant source of clean air.

When a puppy is adopted from a mill, the transition to a “normal” life can be jarring to him. You may notice behaviors in him during the first few days in your home that seem odd.

Establishing His Personal Den

Keep in mind that everything is new and potentially frightening to your new pet. When you bring him into your home, he may appear especially hesitant. This is because he has lived with fear his entire life. He has learned to dread the unfamiliar.

First, establish a room – or part of a room – as his personal den. Place bowls for food and water in this area along with newspapers on which he can urinate and defecate. Having an area to himself will make him feel safe, and slowly build his confidence.

Second, after a week has passed, begin acclimating him to a collar and lead. Place both on him for short periods, and let him drag the lead as he roams throughout your home. This will help him become accustomed to the feel, and prepare him for going on walks.

Minimizing Fear And Stress

Because your puppy’s exposure to the outside world was so limited while he was at the mill, he may be easily startled by unfamiliar noises. For example, the sound made by a vacuum cleaner may frighten him. A toaster, television, and blow dryer may also cause him stress. Desensitization training will prove invaluable for helping him become used to hearing these sounds. This type of training takes time and requires patience. But it’s the most effective way to minimize your canine’s fear and stress of routine noises that occur in your household.

Once your dog begins to feel safe and secure within your home, he’ll explore on his own. He’ll start to peek into other rooms to discover what lies beyond the confines of his personal den. Over time, he’ll gain confidence regarding his place within your life, and look to you as his best friend.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog training, dog care

Like most people, canines love food. They’re willing to sacrifice their dignity in order to obtain it. If food is not given freely, but instead eaten in front of them, they will beg. Some will do so relentlessly.

A begging dog can be particularly frustrating for his owner. He’ll sit and stare longingly at his owner’s plate, hoping to receive a tasty morsel, regardless of size. Unfortunately, many people acquiesce under the pressure, and give their pets table scraps just to send them away. This is a bad idea for a number of reasons.

Below, we’ll explain the side effects table scraps can have on your canine; you’ll learn the reasons you should avoid providing them. We’ll also describe a few methods you can use to discourage the behavior, so you and your family can eat in peace.

Reasons To Avoid Feeding Your Pet Table Scraps

Commercial brands of dog food are specially formulated with the nutrients your pet needs to stay healthy. The vitamins and minerals contained in these brands are necessary for whatever stage of development your canine is in. Table scraps rarely provide the same level of nutrition. Instead, they usually deliver excess calories, which are likely to cause weight problems for your pet. And that leads to avoidable health issues.

Another reason to avoid giving your dog table scraps is because doing so can lead to digestive problems. Even though your pet will eat anything placed in front of him, his body may be unable to tolerate some types of food.

Also, given a steady diet of people food, your canine may eventually become fussy with his own meals. He’ll essentially acquire a taste for the foods you feed your family. And that’s when his begging will begin to take on a new level of urgency.

Preventing Access To Your Table

This method removes your pet’s opportunity to beg. You can use a couple of different approaches depending on whether you would like your canine to remain in the room in which you’re eating, or to stay out.

If you’d like his company in the room, place a lead and collar on him, and secure him to a nearby chair or other piece of furniture. He should be kept far enough away from the table to minimize the temptation to beg. Consider providing a chew toy to give him something to do while you and your family eat.

You can also bar him from the room, which can be done easily with a baby gate. Confine your dog to a room elsewhere in your home, so he’s unable to watch you eat through the gate. This will prevent him from whining to gain your attention.

Sending Him Elsewhere

This method requires more time and patience since there is training involved. The goal is to give your canine something to do elsewhere in your home without confining him to that particular space. You’ll need to train him to stay in his space while you and your family enjoy meals.

At first, your dog will be tempted to abandon his designated spot, and come looking for table scraps. Over time, however, you can teach him to remain there, thereby preventing him from begging.

This method has the added benefit of being helpful in other circumstances. For example, suppose you’re entertaining guests, and would like to prevent your canine from bothering them. Simply instruct him to go to his designated space while your guests are visiting. As long as he has a few toys to occupy his attention, he’ll be fine.

When your dog begs, he does so because he has an expectation his begging will produce results. This is the reason owners who have given in to their canines in the past find it difficult to curb the behavior. But it’s never too late. Use the methods above to turn your begging pooch into a patient, pleasant companion.

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categories: dogs, dog, pets, canine, dog behavior

Dogs love to chase vehicles. Unfortunately, doing so often leads to their injury or death. In some cases, they chase an automobile until it stops, at which point they run into its back end, and damage their spine. In other cases, the canine is hit by another car.

Another problem is that drivers who see dogs lunging into the street are likely to brake quickly, or swerve into oncoming traffic. This poses a serious danger to other drivers and pedestrians.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons canines chase vehicles. If you’re able to pinpoint the trigger, you’ll be more effective in curbing the tendency. We’ll then offer a few suggestions for discouraging the behavior in your pooch.

Understanding Why Dogs Chase Cars

Your dog is a natural predator, even if he doesn’t seem so. This can manifest in different ways. For example, if given the opportunity, he’ll stalk and chase small rodents. If he happens to corner one, he’ll rarely follow through in harming it. The reason? Because stalking his prey is a game for him. He has no intention of harming or killing the rodent.

The same is true when your canine chases people riding bicycles, kids on skateboards, or even other pets. It is the mark of a normal, happy, and well-balanced pooch socializing with others.

There are a few breeds that have a stronger predatorial sense than most. For them, the act of stalking and catching their prey is not a game. If they catch their prey, there is a good chance they will kill it. While this level of stalking is rarely directed toward vehicles, it is possible. It is also difficult to control.

Even though chasing cars comes naturally to a dog, the tendency can be discouraged before it becomes a problem. The key is addressing the behavior as early as possible.

Preventing The Problem Before It Starts

When your canine first shows signs of interest in passing vehicles, immediately call his name to capture his attention. Once he looks at you, and keeps his eyes on you, praise him and give him a treat. This trains him to understand that ignoring traffic and giving you his attention when you call results in a positive outcome. This will prove invaluable if you accidentally release his leash while traffic is passing nearby.

A lot of owners assume that because their pets only chase vehicles while behind a fence, the behavior poses no danger. In reality, it does since the tendency reinforces itself. Eventually, your dog may jump into the fence out of excitement, harming himself in the process. Thus, you should take the time to curb the behavior.

Curbing An Existing Tendency To Chase

If your canine has already developed a habit of chasing cars, you’ll need to first test his ability to come when you call him. This is critical. Everything revolves around his perception that you are the priority. Start by testing him in a quiet environment with no distractions.

After he consistently responds to your commands, take him to a park or similar setting that offers distractions without the danger of traffic. This will teach him to ignore other things, and focus his attention on you.

Next, test his ability to focus near semi-busy streets. Make sure you keep a tight hold on his leash to prevent him from bolting into traffic. Many dogs will respond consistently to their owners at home or at a park, but will lose their focus when presented with the opportunity to chase a car. Be wary.

Many canines have been injured or killed as the result of chasing vehicles. Train your dog to ignore traffic, and listen to your voice. It may one day save his life.

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Of all dog behavioral issues, aggression is the one that most frustrates owners. It is very common, though canines display signs for very different reasons. Many owners observe hostile behavior in their pets, but are unaware regarding its trigger. Consequently, they are uncertain about how to respond.

First, it’s important to realize that aggressive behavior is natural to dogs. Though most are domesticated, they remain pack animals, and perceive the world around them accordingly.

Second, in order to properly address hostility in your canine, you must first be able to identify the different types of aggression. Once you can determine the trigger, you’ll be better prepared to “cure” the problem.

With this in mind, we’ll provide a brief overview of the most common reasons dogs become antagonistic. The following descriptions will offer a springboard from which you can remedy the problem.

Protect Family

As pack animals, canines have traditionally protected those within their group from assailants. If an intruder threatens one member, the others will respond quickly to protect him or her.

In your home, your dog considers you and your family to be members of his “pack.” If he feels you, your family, or other pets under your roof are threatened by a perceived attacker, he will behave aggressively to warn the attacker away. The problem is, many canines become overly-protective, and consider any person outside their “pack” to represent a potential threat.

Protect Home

Similar to guarding their families, dogs also guard their territories. If an intruder approaches their den, they will respond with hostility to discourage that person or animal from coming closer.

Your canine considers your home to be his den, and will respond aggressively to any person or animal he feels to be a threat. Here, too, he may become overly-protective of his home. If he does, he will treat everybody aggressively, even those you consider friends. Interestingly, this type of aggression is very rare in puppies since they have not yet learned to protect their “dens.”

Stemming From Fear

Canines react to elements that frighten them in the same way as humans: they retreat. However, if retreat is not an option, they will fight. In the wild, if a pair of wolves approach a dog, the dog will initially seek a path that provides him an escape route. If, however, such a path is unavailable, he will turn to face the wolves, despite his fear.

Fear aggression is dangerous. If a person unwittingly corners a canine, that person risks being bitten. Thus, always provide an unfamiliar dog a route through which he can escape.

Guard Possessions

Dogs are hardwired to protect their possessions. While this trait stems from the need to fight for food outside the human-canine relationship, it has carried over to today’s pets. For example, when a person or animal approaches a dog’s food bowl, he may bare his teeth and growl to communicate his ownership.

Within your home, your canine may express possessive behavior over his food, toys, and even the area in which he likes to rest. This may become a problem if visitors – either people or animals – stumble upon your pet’s possessions without realizing they have done so.

Hierarchical Order

Dogs have always functioned within groups according to their understanding of their pack’s hierarchy. As long as they know – and accept – those ranked above and below them, there is minimal conflict. Conflict arises when there is a bid for authority within the group.

This latter problem occasionally happens between canines and their owners, families, and other pets. The dog will compete for authority, and act aggressively when others confront him.

Canine aggression can only be addressed successfully after the behavior’s trigger has been identified. If you’re having difficulty doing so, consider working with your veterinarian or a professional trainer.

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