Territorial aggressiveness

Dogs are, essentially, animals of habits, and one of the deepest is the defense of its territory.

As its ancestor the wolf, dogs limit what they consider its territory in multiple ways:

with the urine spraying a small quantity each time in different places; it stands out the way in which the males try to urinate as high as possible that it impregnates rocks and trees so the air may take its odor, characteristic of his own personal mark.
with the feces the same as the urine, but on the ground and
rubbing its body against the trees or scratching their surface. These are three ways dogs have for leaving their presentation card. By doing this the dog is not only developing a psychological function but it is also warning his peers of which are the territories that he feels are his.

Exemplars that in no other time would show an aggressive conduct will do it

when choosing to defend what he considers its possessions. In the supposition of house property, it is not a problem for our dog to act like this. He is defending it from strangers being them humans or animals which he conceives as exclusively his.

It is none the less curious to observe how exemplars from determined breeds conceived as low races in what defensive territorial attitude is concerned (golden retriever, cocker spaniel, Siberian husky, etc.) act as the best watchdogs do at the time of protecting their house. If someone tries to penetrate his precinct and the dog shows symptoms of territorial aggressiveness (growling, barking, and delimiting of his territory running from one place to another), you can be sure that he will be received in not a friendly way.

However, before the exteriorization of the dog as above mentioned not FEF owners think the following: What a great watchdog I have! He will eat the first that would try to get to get in! In reality and in many more cases than you would think what the dog is trying to tell you with this conduct is another thing: come and give me a hand something is happening that I am not able to solve by myself! …

Anyway, it is useful to know how to interpret in a correct way this exteriorized conduct of the animal, not suffer any kind of problem.

The dog not only extends this territorial factor to his house immediate surroundings, but also it will defend what he considers his other belongings like the car, sidewalks, garden, and much more. In the protection of house properties and even of the car this attitude must not be strengthen with the exception of dogs that present it in a lower grade, and neither moderate safe on those exemplars that manifest it in an irritated way. It is on the walking areas where serious conflicts can happen. The park can be considered by all the exemplars on it as exclusively theirs. This is the most usual cause of conflict and aggression among dogs. It is worth to give a special tint to the exemplars that in a moment would be capable of showing the most minimum intention of aggression, on determined circumstances and under the pressure that the territory defense factor exercises on him, we may do it. Also, dog that in no way would attack in an excessive way when seeing how his territory is violated. In this case it would be illogical to wait for another similar answer from the dog, safe the same conditions would ever happen again.

Dog Behaviorist Choosing a Male or Female Dog Campbell's Test Qualifications The adoption process Dog Adoption Socializing your Dog Dog and Family The acquisition of an adult dog Adult dogs for adoption Breed classification Needs of exercise Need for affection Tolerance to children Tolerance to other dogs Dominant character Territorial character Activity Level Obedience education Dog psychology Association power Conditioning Reflex Family environment Dog's Views Dog's Education Positive conditioning Negative conditioning Training and education Training Program for your Dog Dog Fear How to Overcome Dog Fear Attenuating conditions Dog Aggressiveness Aggressiveness by depredation Aggressiveness by dominance Territorial aggressiveness Self-defense aggressiveness When your dog attacks in self defense Injuries in dog attacks Second case of Injuries in dog attacks Sensibility suppression Dog sensibility issues Territorial Factors Expression canals Complete body language Your Dog's Diet Phobia or fear to the collar or leash Collar and Leash usage Dog understanding Other Strategies Jealousy with Dogs Non traumatic introduction Correct location of the child in the family hierarchy Progressive raise of rank of the child Vehicles: excitement or fear Exercises with your Dog Dogs Fear of Cars Starting your dog with real experiences Not mixing new experiences with meals Vehicles and dogs Dog Hyperactivity Frequent Dog Owner Mistakes Excessive barking Indoor dog rules Controlling your barking dog Anxiety pattern Lack of confidence Socializing with the outside world Excessive dominance Lack of dominance in dogs At home Excessive biting To personal objects, furniture, etc Space the dog is allowed to have Aggressions to other dogs Self-defense aggressions Bossy aggressions Aggressions between two dogs from the same home Aggressions to strangers due to territory Backing out from a dog attack Aggressions to family members First time aggressions Not enough exercise in relation to age and breed Scarce contact with other dogs Punishment to a late response Emphasizing conditions and appeasing to evasive behavior Lack of control over feeding and going out schedules Lack of self-confidence Lack of attention from the owners Marking their territory Coprophagy Ingestion of its own feces Agoraphobia Dog Depression How to prevent depression Psychological pregnancy Pulling the leash excessively Corrective methodology Ingestion of strange substances Destruction of gardens Bathing struggles Practical Guide to Canine Behavior Site Map