|
|
WHEN YOUR DOG BARKS |
|||
|
DOG BREEDS AND MONGRELS |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
When guests
arrive at your home how does your dog respond? Does it act like a maniac?
And what do you do? Do you shout and tell it to shut up? What is really happening in this situation? The dog alerts you, a threat approaches the house, it signifies that by barking. That is OK. That is its job to protect the pack (family) by warning the leader, that someone is coming. So when you shout at it, what are you telling it? Bark more, you are right, there is a threat to the pack! The dog barks more. And you cry even higher "shut up you stupid dog!" What does the dog hear? "Bark even more, the threat is very close now!" Your anger and agitation tells the dog that the situation is very problematic. The dog feels that you no longer have control over the situation, and it tries to take over. It is now the leader in charge. So now it barks as an insane to protect ITS pack and make the intruder disappear. How should this situation be addressed? You must learn to be a good leader for your dog, read more about this in the sections on dog psychology and dog upbringing. It is OK that the dog reacts when someone comes. It will help protect the house, the territory. But after alarming you, then you should free it from additional responsibility. From now on it is you who decide. Signal that by turning your side to let it know that you are in charge. If it is not enough, face front against the dog, take a step forward and look in its eyes. You're in charge and the dog is no longer responsible for the incoming threat. It can relax now. Your dog should not be receiving your guests, do it yourself and then bring them to the dog. It is you, not your dog, who determines which people and animals it is okay to receive. |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
LINKS: |