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Territorial dogs are those who protect a certain place because they believe that space belongs to them. Small or large dogs can show this type of behavior and they do it out of survival instinct, so that other animals do not consume the water and food available in the area, in addition to keeping the territory safe for breeding and raising puppies.
To defend the place, the dog will bark, growl and even attack the invader, biting him. If it is a male dog, he can also urinate in the space to demarcate the territory.
If you have a dog that exhibits this type of behavior in front of other people and animals or you intend to adopt a puppy and you want to know in advance if he will be territorial or not, check out today’s post.
Here we brought the importance of mitigating this type of behavior and what to do in this case, in addition to a list of six more territorial dog breeds. Check out!
How important is it to mitigate this type of behavior?
As highlighted above, the territorial dog usually attacks to protect the place he considers his own. Therefore, this behavior can put the residents of the house or visitors at risk, even more so if the animal is not vaccinated .
In addition, if you have a territorialist dog, you will hardly be able to have another pet, even more so if it also belongs to a territorialist breed , putting the lives and health of both animals at risk.
Therefore, it is important to mitigate this type of behavior, in order to adopt a pet that has your profile, to know if it will get along with other animals – if you have them or intend to have them. It is also important to understand if it is necessary to train him so that he does not attack the residents of the house and other animals.
What are the 6 territorial dog breeds?
Next, check out six territorial dog breeds, to find out if your four-legged friend or pet you want to adopt has this type of behavior:
- Bull Terrier;
- Rottweiler;
- Bullmastiff;
- Doberman ;
- Chow chow;
- Coonhound.
How to mitigate territorial behavior?
Ideally, the dog should be trained from a young age to minimize territorial behavior, since, as time passes, it becomes more difficult to educate him, and it is necessary to hire a professional trainer to instruct him.
The first step to soften territorial behavior is to socialize the dog with other animals and people. If you have other pets at home, this will be even easier. Otherwise, ask friends or family members who have a pet to visit your home.
But remember to start socializing your furry only after he is properly vaccinated, to prevent him from contracting a disease that his immune system is not able to fight.
Socialization with other people deserves care, given that if you want a dog that barks to alert the presence of strangers and attacks if necessary, you have to teach him that there are friendly people and others are not.
So teach him to bark and to stop barking. To do this, choose a word, such as bark, and when he barks at your command, offer him a treat . The same goes for him to stop barking.
Then use these words in different situations:
- home visit: give the command to stop barking, introduce the acquaintance so he understands that he is not a threat, and offer a treat when he understands this;
- strange people invading the house: hire a strange person to simulate an invasion, let the dog bark and reward him for it, this way he will know under what circumstances to defend the territory.
As you can see, you can train your dog yourself, but, if possible, opt for professional training so that this process takes place more efficiently and he learns even more useful commands.
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10 Common Dog Health Problems
Some health problems are specific to certain breeds, such as breathing complications for flat-faced dogs. But several other canine health issues can affect any dog. Here are 10 typical health conditions you need to watch out for in your four-legged best friend:
Top 10 Common Dog Health Problems
Skin Problems
One of the most obvious signs that your dog has a skin condition is itching. Other symptoms that may suggest that your dog has a skin problem include rashes, redness, dry skin, lumps, bumps, skin sores, dandruff, and hair loss.
Ear Diseases
Approximately 20 percent of dogs suffer from ear disease. It’s particularly common in breeds with floppy ears like cocker spaniels and basset hounds. It’s common to see wax buildup or discharge in their ear canal. But others may experience pain, itchiness, redness, swelling, and crusting in the ears.
Urinary Tract Infections
Simply known as UTI, this condition can make it uncomfortable for your beloved companion to pass urine. Signs of urinary tract infection include drinking water more than usual and passing urine more often than usual. Your dog may also only pass a small amount or lose bladder control. Additionally, you may see blood in their urine or notice a strong smell to it.
Vomiting
There are countless reasons why your pet may throw up. You don’t need to visit the vet each time your dog vomits. But it’s also not something you can just ignore. Don’t try to guess. If the vomiting persists or occurs with other symptoms like diarrhea or lethargy, you need to rush to the vet. It could be a sign of severe health problems, such as poisoning or gastrointestinal blockage.
Diarrhea
This symptom may occur on its own or be accompanied by vomiting. Its potential causes are similar to vomiting. One or two episodes of diarrhea may not be a pet emergency. But recurring diarrhea can result in dehydration.
Parasites
At some point in their lives, your pet may have to deal with discomfort due to internal or external parasites. Symptoms of parasites generally vary, depending on a few factors. These include the kind of parasite that has plagued your pet, where it lives, and how severe its infestation is.
Dental Issues
Like us, your dog can develop canine dental diseases due to high levels of plaque buildup. Several signs indicate that your pet may have dental disease. These include difficulty eating, bleeding of the gums or teeth, loose teeth, and bad breath.
Obesity
Nearly 30 percent of the general dog population is considered obese. Several factors contribute to a pet’s risk. These include age, genetic predisposition, lack of exercise, and overfeeding, among others.
Arthritis
This joint problem can restrict your dog’s mobility. Bring Fido to the vet if you see your dog slow down or limp before and after walks. Other signs include licking or chewing on tender areas and behavioral changes.
Poisoning
Symptoms of dog poisoning vary widely, depending on the kind of toxin a pet has been exposed to. The signs can range from vomiting to drooling, breathing difficulties, seizures, or worse, coma. Some of the most common poisonous substances are human foods like chocolates, grapes, raisins, onions, and caffeine. Other known culprits are human medications, household cleaning products, pesticides, and some plants.
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